How to Get the Most Out of Therapy: 5 Tips for Success

Seeking therapy can be life-changing. It provides you with a safe and supportive environment for you to explore your emotions, habits, and relationships, and ultimately reach goals that help you feel your best. Therapy has been proven to work, but it’s not an overnight fix. It’s a journey that takes time, dedication, and focus. 

Whether you’re in therapy or thinking about connecting with a therapist, you may be wondering how to make sure you get the most out of therapy and experience all it’s benefits. Here, we’ll explore the biggest signs of success in therapy, offer tips on how you can get the most out of therapy, and share how SonderMind can support you every step of the way. 

Signs therapy is working for you 

Indicators of success in therapy can vary from person to person and will depend on your unique goals. However, there are some common signs that show therapy is working for you:  

• Improved ability to manage symptoms or challenges related to mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety
• Increased self-awareness
• Improved communication skills 
• A greater ability to cope with stressors and life challenges
• Feeling a stronger sense of purpose or meaning in life
• Stronger relationships with others
• An increased ability to set and achieve personal goals

Ultimately, the most important indicator of success is whether you feel you’re making meaningful progress toward your own unique goals and objectives for therapy. Learn more on what effective therapy looks like. 

Tips for getting the most out of therapy 

To help set yourself up for success as you set out on or continue your therapy journey, consider the following tips: 

1. Find a therapist who’s right for you 

The first step in getting the most out of therapy is finding the right therapist for you. It is essential to choose a therapist who you feel comfortable opening up to and who understands your unique needs and concerns. It can also be helpful to understand potential therapists’ specialties, treatment approaches, and qualifications. It may also be worth reading reviews from other clients to see if others have had positive experiences.

Life is busy, and you may worry about having the time to search for the right therapist for you. There’s good news — SonderMind does this work for you. We ask you a few questions about what you’re looking for in a therapist and your preferences, and then connect you with licensed mental health professionals who meet your needs in 48 hours. Then, you can schedule a session with the therapist who feels right for you. 

2. Consider goals for therapy

Setting goals is another key factor in getting the most out of therapy. Take some time to think about what you hope to achieve in therapy. Are you seeking to improve your relationships, reduce stress and anxiety, or work through past trauma? At Sondermind, your therapist will work with you to define clear goals that will guide your therapy sessions. You can always add goals or change them as you make progress in therapy. 

3. Check in with your therapist to track success

Another way to get the most out of therapy is by regularly checking in with your therapist. It’s common for therapy to feel challenging, and progress may feel slow at times. However, checking in and discussing how you’re doing with your therapist can help you see the strides you’re making. 

At SonderMind, we make it easy for you to regularly check in with your therapist through our feedback-informed care approach. Our clinicians ask for your feedback before and after sessions using clinical questionnaires (CQs). CQs help you and your therapist note how you’re doing on a regular basis throughout therapy. If you feel you aren’t making progress, your therapist will work with you to make adjustments to your treatment plan as needed to keep you on track for success. 

4. Attend sessions and complete homework assignments 

Consistency is key when it comes to therapy. Attending regular sessions can help you establish a strong relationship with your therapist, which plays a big part in seeing success in therapy. Additionally, being open to feedback and putting in the work outside of therapy can help make therapy sessions more productive. In fact, completing homework assignments between sessions can be one of the biggest drivers of progress in therapy. 

5. Trust the process and be patient

Remember, there is no set timeline for therapy, and it may take some time to see results. Know that you are in a safe and supportive environment, and your therapist is there to guide you through the process, no matter how long you’re in therapy for. Trusting the process and being patient with yourself can lead to significant growth and healing.

Get the most out of therapy with SonderMind 

If you’re ready to start your therapy journey, are looking for a therapist who is a better fit for you, or are thinking of going back to therapy, SonderMind can help you get started on the right path toward success. 

We connect you with a therapist who fits your unique needs and goals, help you track your progress throughout therapy right from your SonderMind portal, and offer support and resources every step of the way. What’s more? SonderMind's approach to care is clinically proven to help people see change, faster. 

Let us know what you’re looking for in a therapist, and we’ll connect you with a licensed professional who’s right for you, so you can get started on your path toward a successful therapy journey.