How Talk Therapy Can Work

How many times have you heard someone say "talking doesn't help"?

I've heard it plenty of times. I've even said it myself. The issue with talking is that unless there is an outcome then really all you're doing is exercising your jaw ( slightly joking...). Perhaps you are getting something out of it maybe...

It does help to vent and to vocalize the thoughts and emotions running around in your head and heart, after all this is what talk circles are about. The ability to express yourself in a non-judgemental , safe and understanding environment feels good. But there's still an expected outcome or goal. The goal of feeling better. When we speak out loud to another human about our concerns we feel an immediate sense of relief. It's like finding another person to carry the burden, but really all they're doing is listening. In the realm of talk groups this is the extent of expectations. Releasing the pressure valve so you can go about your life until the pressure rises again.

When it comes to talk therapy, however, it is very sad and discouraging to hear accounts of "talking doesn't help".

Talk therapy can be client lead, reflective, thought provoking and action oriented. A good therapist or helping professional can help you express what you want to get out of talking to a professional. Through this the therapist can help you establish goals (big and small) and they can help you create a guide on what actions to take and how to achieve the set goals.

From there, change starts to take place. The talking continues as the therapist listens to your experiences, your slip ups, your successes and your changes of mind. The therapist then helps you alter your course according to the progress you've made and they stay connected with you until you have achieved your expectations. All the while the therapist can check in on how their performance is vibing with your journey to make sure they're doing well by you.

Therapists/helping professionals that sit, listen and don't get you anywhere you want to go are out there but so are the ones that can help you reach your destination.

There are good bakers and bad bakers in the world, just like there are good therapists and not so good ones.

Don't despair, keep going, keep looking. You'll find the right person to help you along the way.

And please, KEEP TALKING. The worst thing you can do to yourself is push down the thoughts and emotions you want to get out. If you feel they are unhelpful, find someone that will help you get to a place where these thoughts and emotions will be managed in a way that does not impeed on your life.

Thanks for reading,

Franck