Maximizing Your Time While On Your Therapist’s Waitlist
Maximizing Your Time While On Your Therapist’s Waitlist
If you’re ready to begin therapy, but have found yourself on the waitlist, what can you do now to maximize your wait and start your healing journey? From education, to goal-setting, to prioritizing your own physical health, here are some ways to optimize your time and be prepared for your first session.
Learn About Different Types of Therapy
Have you thought about what type of therapy might be right for you? Take the time to learn about varying methods and how they’re implemented. “Therapy” is not a one-stop-shop, but is catered to your specific needs, which might include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which focuses on thinking errors, Motivational Interviewing (MI), which identifies barriers to change and helps you take action, or Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), which helps you learn practical skills to regulate overwhelming emotions. Learning different coping methods and strategies might help you now in the short term until you can get in to see your therapist.
Take Inventory of Your Symptoms
You know yourself and your symptoms better than anyone. What do you feel in your body? Are there any triggers in your environment that you’ve noticed? Are you having any thoughts or emotions that are unusual for you? What do you notice in your day-to-day life that makes it sometimes hard to get through the day? Make a list of things to discuss with your therapist that might make your first session more fruitful.
Think About Your Goals for Therapy
What do you hope to achieve from therapy? Jot down some goals you have for yourself as well as some issues you’d like to work through. By setting goals, you’ll have a clear path toward profitable therapy and you’ll know when you’re hitting healthy milestones. Goals will also help your therapist to know what techniques are right for you and how to better help you reach your personal victories.
Catalog What Has or Has Not Worked So Far
Whether you’ve already tried some methods or have been to therapy before, cataloging what has or has not worked for you in the past will speed the process along. This list of “pros and cons” will help your therapist better cater to your needs and more fully understand your issues or concerns. Are there any skills you’d like to expand on? Any life hacks that haven’t been helpful? Or do you have a specific learning style your therapist should be aware of? Lists like these are invaluable to forging a successful path forward.
Optimize Your Health
The mind and the body have an undeniable connection. Taking care of yourself physically is one of the first steps to achieving your overall therapy goals. Be mindful to get plenty of sleep at night, as fatigue can greatly affect your mood and your progress. Minimize any substances to get a clearer picture of your current mental health. Introduce movement to your daily life by going on short walks or stretching in your living room. Even going outside and engaging in nature can work wonders for your mental health. If you take any medications, be consistent with them to keep your equilibrium balanced.
By utilizing your wait time wisely, you’ll better equip yourself, and your therapist, to hit the ground running when the day of your first session arrives. Give yourself the tools you need to take the first step toward healing.
