Many people wonder if therapy even works at all or could work for them. It can be difficult to know if you’re making progress if you don’t know what to look for, sometimes. With this post, we hope to help you learn what those signs to look for are.
What Goals Did I Have?
Sometimes, people come to therapy with very specific goals. For example, those struggling with suicidal ideation or an eating disorder. These have very obvious signs of progress. A reduction in symptoms here is what you’re looking for. With an eating disorder, for example, you’re looking for less distress around food issues and a reduction in harmful behaviors. In depression, you’re looking for more ability to do things for yourself or less negative thought patterns.
For very general goals, it can be harder to notice progress. If you’re not aiming to reduce really specific symptoms, it’s more difficult to gauge how you’re doing. But not impossible!
Do I Feel Better?
Obviously, this can be in relation to mood. But we’re also looking for improvements in physical health. It’s no surprise these days that mental health and physical health are closely linked. If you find you’re sleeping better, are less tired, or are having fewer symptoms like headaches, this could be a sign of progress. Of course, this is all assuming that other physical health problems have been ruled out!
How Are My Relationships?
If you find that you’re having fewer conflicts, it’s possible you’re looking at progress being made from therapy. A lot of therapy is about learning different skills in order to cope with various stressors in our lives. This can translate over into higher quality relationships, even if that’s not what brought you to therapy in the first place.
Is My Behavior Changing?
Have you noticed that you’re not reacting first and thinking later? Or maybe you’re not ruminating on difficult situations anymore. If you’re finding small changes in your behavior, this is a good sign that you’re making progress in therapy. Those skills we learn in therapy about coping ultimately lead to changes in our behavior. They may not be noticeable at first, but even these small changes add up to big benefits as you continue making them.
Your Therapist Points it Out
Sometimes, we need someone else to tell us we’re making progress. Your therapist will likely tell you at some point that you’re making progress in your therapy. If you’re feeling disheartened or like you can’t tell, ask them! A good therapist will be honest with you about this.
How to Tell if You’re Making Progress in Therapy
