(Ronald J. Coughlin, Ed. D.

How Does Therapy Work?
How Does Therapy Work?

Therapy involves thinking and talking about one's life and problems. I pay attention to the feelings that arise, both in and outside of this office. The effects of your behavior on yourself, others, and situations are considered. Sometimes I look into your past; sometimes I stick to the present.

Some people come to therapy hoping for a quick answer. While this is understandable, it rarely happens. Few people go through the trouble and expense of therapy without having tried hard to solve the problem on their own.

Some people want to wait for the therapist to solve their problem. This approach guarantees disappointment. Therapy is hard work. While there are times when I ask people to try out ideas or new behaviors, answers to problems will be the result of our mutual explorations and efforts.

There are three ways you can increase the benefit of our work:

Push yourself to discuss the things that you find hardest to discuss. What you want to discuss least is probably what we need to discuss most. The sooner we get to them, the faster we will finish. Issues "kept in the closet" tend to grow in the dark. Bringing them into the day is a big step in making them manageable.
Honesty with you and with me is essential. Being dishonest in therapy is like asking a CPA to do your taxes without letting him see your financial records. Honesty means talking to me concerning your thoughts and feelings about the therapy process.
Do task assignments made within therapy sessions. Changing one's thoughts and behaviors requires practice "in the real world," not just in the consulting room.

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