My Psychic Therapist and Other Myths

By Dr. Suzanne LaCombe
Reviewed by: Dr. Tracy Halpen

“I don’t feel ready for change.”

When people think of 'change' they think in terms of specific behaviours that are not working for them. Counseling can change you, but not in the way that you anticipate.

This is how it goes…

People who don't understand what counseling offers come to the erroneous conclusion that they're not ready for therapy.

They will openly acknowledge areas of their life that are problematic. "I drink too much." "I spend too much money on frivolous things." "I'm living with someone who's not right for me". However, if truth be told they are also saying, "I'm not ready to let these things go."

Good counseling is about change but it's more than simply recognizing the obvious behavioural patterns in your life. Most of us are too bright for that. Counseling is about becoming a stronger you. This can be accomplished in a working relationship with a good therapist--which is why good therapy matters.

As you become stronger, your system's overall readiness to make changes in your behaviour grows. Then and only then, can you make choices that endure.

Good counseling is not about forcing you to change specific behaviours. It is about getting you ready for behavioural change. In effect, you enter counseling precisely because the idea of making any change is overwhelming.

Good counseling helps you to recognize and utilize the resources you already have, so that when you want to change fundamentally you can do so…naturally.

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Pages in this Article

1. "Therapists can read your mind!"
2. "Counseling is not very scientific."
3. "Therapists have psychic powers and can make me do anything they want."
4. “This is going to take forever.”
5. "I already know what I should be doing to stay healthy. I don't need a therapist to tell me."
6. "I don't need approval from a shrink."
7. "I might find something awful about myself."
8. "I might learn how screwed up I am."
9. "It is the therapist's job is to prod you into changing your behaviour."
10. “I don’t feel ready for change.”
    
11. "Counseling is for losers."
12. “My problems aren’t heavy enough for counseling.”
13. Counseling is NOT the only way.

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