FAQs About Coaching, Counseling, Psychotherapy, and Therapy in Austin, TX

Austin’s not exactly shy when it comes to introspection and personal growth. Even though Austinites are pretty savvy about self-help, the idea of working with a professional might be a little bit of a jump—after all, it can be daunting to think about sharing your “stuff” with a stranger.

No worries! All the questions you have about “How does this work?” are normal and deserve answers. That’s where I come in; I provide therapy in Austin, TX and can tell you what I say to clients when they ask me the same questions you have. For simplicity’s sake I’m just going to use the terms “therapy” and “therapist” throughout this article.

Is a Therapist in Austin, TX Like a Friend?

You’ll notice that the focus of the relationship between you and your therapist is one-sided. That’s how it’s supposed to be—therapy isn’t like a friendship, which is hopefully two-sided.

Therapy in Austin, TX, and anywhere else, for that matter, centers around YOU, the client. If you’re not used to focusing on yourself within a relationship, this may seem odd to you. Trust me, it’s all good; the therapist is expecting to devote their time to you and what you need.

Will a Therapist in Austin, TX Criticize or Be Critical of Me?

Therapists aren’t there to tell you what you’re doing wrong. That’s not therapy—it’s scolding. And who would pay to be scolded??? Not you. So try to set aside your fears that your therapist will put you under the microscope and find your faults.

What if instead your therapist helps you identify your strengths and bright spots? You might be so overfocused on the negative that you’ve forgotten about your good qualities already. But they’re there, waiting to be found again.

Can a Therapist in Austin, TX Tell What I’m Thinking?

You might be wondering if your therapist can read your mind. Think about that for a moment…if therapists were trained to read people’s minds, all therapists would be government employees.

The CIA, the FBI…yet in my 30-year career, I’ve never heard of therapists working for these agencies. Therapists can’t read minds. Similarly, therapists can’t predict the future.

Instead, therapy is a relationship that respects your right to reveal only what you’re comfortable with while you work to create a future that neither you nor the therapist can peek into. It’s a journey of discovery. As you become more trusting of the process, you’re really learning to trust the most important person in the session—yourself.

What If My Therapist in Austin, TX Sees Me as a Weirdo?

Clients in therapy often want to know how the therapist feels about/what the therapist thinks of them. Well…remember that your therapist is a human being who isn’t there to judge you.

When you ask your therapist questions that invite them to judge you, you’ll find that the therapist will ask questions about a possible tendency to judge yourself. Judging is something we do to ourselves and others, and it just doesn’t help us very much.

Think of therapy as a mirror; your therapist will reflect back to you when you solicit input that would actually be more about the therapist than about you. Exploring the drive behind these moments provides opportunities for you to see yourself more clearly and embrace the wonderful person who’s been hidden by the judgments of self and others.

If I Feel Better After a Few Sessions, Does That Mean I’m Done with Therapy in Austin, TX?

Some clients wonder if the relief they begin to feel early on in therapy means they’re ready to graduate. No…it usually means that the therapeutic relationship has stabilized and that this feels good.

The work you came to do is still ahead, so please don’t short-change yourself by ending treatment prematurely just because you suddenly aren't so bothered by the things you said you wanted to work on. Those things are still there.

Having someone in your corner may be so understandably reassuring that you could mistakenly lose sight of your goal. Your therapist might need to help pull you out of this “honeymoon” phase and gently remind you of why you sought therapy in the first place. This is because they care.

Will Therapy in Austin, TX Make Things Worse?

Of course, some clients worry that therapy will make them feel even more lousy. Have you ever cleaned out a messy closet, making an even bigger mess in the process and then putting everything back in an orderly fashion that lets you live more easily? That’s like therapy.

Sometimes we have to make a mess as we deal with the chaos life has been, and making order out of chaos means you’ll ultimately get to live without chaos. Your therapist will be with you during this courageous process, so please don’t worry that you’ll have to face it alone. You won’t.

And all the while you’ll be developing chaos-busting skills that will help you prevent—or respond to—chaos in the future. Marie Kondo will wish she could live in your psychological house.

Get a Free Therapy Consultation in Austin, TX

I hope the info above will help you find your ideal therapist in Austin, TX. Ready to take action and create the life you want to live? Contact me for a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation to find out how online art therapy in Austin, TX can help you transform anxiety, depression, and stress into calmness, confidence, and peace.

Wondering if someone with overwhelm, unhappiness, and burnout can ever ignite the creative spark that lights the way for better things and better times? Visit my my About page to learn how I support people as they step out of the darkness and begin to glow again.