What is Therapy
Therapy is a very unique space that is curated by both the client and the therapist, with the intention of exploring whatever the client wants to bring into the space. The intention is to create safety for the client so they may engage in this process. The therapeutic relationship that exists between the client and the therapist is one of mutual respect, trust, and collaboration- what this means is that both enter the therapeutic relationship as equals and work together on exploring what the client brings into session.
Who is therapy for?
Therapy is for everyone!
Most people seek therapy when they are undergoing distress, which can stem from any source, such as (but not limited to): identity exploration, family conflicts, interpersonal dynamics, work-related stress, sex and sexuality related distress, marital difficulties, life transitions, adjustment concerns, grief and loss, migration, value-related crisis, financial difficulties, any past incidents which had an impact, trauma, etc.
However, one does not need to be in a state of active distress to seek therapy- you can come in simply to explore your identity and your world, or bring up something from the past (even if it does not seem to be affecting you presently or be relevant to your current life).
What does therapy involve, and is it just talking?
While therapy does involve talking, it is not the only way therapeutic processes take place. Therapeutic mechanisms also work through silence during sessions, expressing any and all emotions, sharing art (drawings, poems, movement, etc). The client is not obligated to share something with the client or to fill silences (unless they want to).
Is what is shared confidential?
Yes, what you share during the session stays between the therapist and client. Privacy and confidentiality are core principles of the therapy space, and your right to confidentiality is respected.
However, there are certain legal and ethical exceptions where confidentiality must be breached: in case the client is assessed to be at risk of harming self or others, suspected abuse of child, elderly, or a vulnerable population, or in case there are court mandates. In such cases, the therapist is legally required to breach confidentiality and share relevant information with the authorities.
How is therapy different from other interpersonal relationships?
In some ways, therapeutic relationships are similar to other relationships because of the contact and communication between the therapist and the client. However, there are a few key differences.
The processes of therapy are more intentional, as opposed to being accidental or coincidental. The manner of conversation and asking questions are done with the intention to encourage exploration of themselves and of several perspectives. The therapist engages in an active and ongoing process of creating safety for the client to explore their world.
Therapy as intentional
Therapy is sensitive to context: of the client’s life, and of the broader structures of our society. It understands that our lives are strongly influenced by the social context we life in. Therefore, therapeutic processes take place keeping these factors in mind. For example: ‘boundaries’ look different in Western and in Eastern contexts. Thus, boundaries a client can set are explored keeping the Indian context and relational dynamics in mind.
Therapy as contextual
The therapeutic relationship is a unique form of relationship where the client and the therapist enter as equals, with the intention of working collaboratively to achieve the client’s well-being. This is done via: the relationship between the therapist and client, what the client’s experience of the session is, and the therapeutic techniques employed.
The therapist takes a curious, patient, and consistent stand of exploring the client’s inner world and narrative. the therapist shows up as a non-judgemental, non-biased person. The goal is not to form judgements of right and wrong, but to explore the mechanisms that influence/inform it. The therapist aims towards intentionally creating a ‘corrective experience’ for the client: to experience safety, to be their authentic selves, and what does a secure relationships, with its ruptures and repairs, feel like.
The therapeutic relationshipWhat do therapy techniques look like?
The therapy techniques used are more in the manner of how the conversation is between the therapist and client, w.r.t. what areas are explored and reflected upon, as opposed to primarily giving tasks, tips, or advice. The focus is to go beyond the surface-level emotions, thoughts, behaviors, and sensations, and explore what is happening behind the scenes that lead to the distress. This helps untangle the underlying knots for better, lasting, and long-term outcomes.
At times, this may involve exploring what may appear as ‘not relevant to the primary concern.’ This is because of the intricate and inter-connected nature of our life: all that is happening at the present is connected to the past and borrows from the future as well. Thus, to successfully untangle these knots, the seemingly unrelated experiences may require exploration as well.