7 Things to Know Before Starting Therapy With a Psychologist
Embarking on the therapy journey can be transformative, and leading psychologists have shared their essential guidance for newcomers. These experts highlight the importance of openness, embracing discomfort, and building a strong therapeutic partnership for optimal results. Understanding these fundamental principles before your first session can significantly improve your mental health outcomes and help you find the right professional match for your needs.
Be Completely Open From Day One
I wish I had known how important it is to be completely open and honest from the very first session. Early on, I held back certain thoughts because I wasn't sure how they would be received, and it slowed my progress. Over time, I realized that therapy works best when you treat it as a space for full transparency, even with difficult or uncomfortable topics. My advice to others starting therapy is to approach it as a partnership: be prepared to share your experiences and feelings authentically, and don't be afraid to ask questions if something isn't clear. It's also okay to take a few sessions to find a psychologist you feel comfortable with—the right fit can make a huge difference. Embracing vulnerability early on allowed me to see meaningful growth much faster than I expected.
Growth Often Happens Through Discomfort
One thing I wish I knew before starting therapy is that progress doesn't always feel like progress. Therapy can bring up painful emotions, old patterns, or uncomfortable truths before relief or clarity sets in. In the beginning I hoped to feel better right away, but often the real growth happens in those moments of discomfort.
The advice I'd give others is: trust the process and give yourself time. It's normal to feel uncertain at first, to wonder if it's "working," or to resist opening up fully. Therapy isn't about quick fixes, it's about building insight, resilience and new ways of relating to yourself and others. If you can be patient and stay open, the benefits unfold gradually and can be life-changing.
Mental Health Requires Consistent Maintenance
Prioritizing your mental well-being is one of the strongest moves you can make, and it takes courage to seek out support. My experience with this type of mental maintenance taught me a major lesson in patience. The "radical approach" was a simple, human one.
The process I had to completely reimagine was how I looked at fixing problems. I used to think I could just diagnose and fix a personal issue in one go, like replacing a faulty component. I realized that a good tradesman solves a problem and makes a business run smoother. The one thing I wish I knew before starting was that it's not a quick fix; it's preventative maintenance.
The insight that changed everything was realizing it requires consistent, weekly effort. You don't just fix a major electrical system once and walk away for a decade. You have to check it regularly. My panic was making things worse. I learned the process needs commitment and patience.
The impact has been fantastic. That commitment to mental maintenance brought tremendous clarity, reduced my burnout on the job, and made me a better leader for my crew. It proved that a clear mind is the most efficient tool you own.
My advice for others is to just be honest. Don't expect a quick fix. Treat it like a long-term contract: show up every week and put in the work. That's the most effective way to "find success in the process" and build a life that will last.
Seek Expert Help Before Crisis Strikes
Searching for wisdom isn't done with a "psychologist" in my trade. The equivalent is getting good professional advice for the business. The one thing I wish I knew before starting to rely on experts was the importance of calling them the moment the problem appears, not when the problem becomes a crisis.
I used to wait until a legal or financial problem was already massive before calling an attorney or a CPA. I thought I could solve it myself because I'm a hands-on guy who fixes things. But my personal pride in being a "fixer" was costing the business massive amounts of money and stress because I let simple issues turn into major emergencies.
I learned that a specialist's job is to solve problems before they get out of hand. Now, my approach is different: I call my business lawyer the moment a client mentions a legal threat or an issue I don't fully understand. That proactive call saves me money, time, and massive stress in the long run.
The ultimate lesson is that professional help is an investment in your sanity, not a sign of failure. My advice to others is to stop trying to be the hero who fixes everything alone. Find a trustworthy specialist and call them the moment the problem appears. That simple, proactive step is the only way to protect your business.
Approach Therapy as an Active Partnership
One key realization is that therapy is most effective when approached as an active collaboration rather than a passive process. Early on, I underestimated the importance of openly sharing goals, concerns, and feedback, assuming the psychologist would automatically know the best approach. This initially slowed progress and created unnecessary frustration.
The advice I would give is to treat sessions as a partnership and communicate openly about what works and what doesn't. Being proactive in setting objectives and discussing responses to strategies enhances clarity and accelerates meaningful change. Understanding that therapy is iterative, rather than linear, allows clients to engage more fully, build trust, and maximize the benefits of professional guidance.
Engage Beyond Sessions for Best Results
One key insight is that the effectiveness of therapy often hinges on active participation rather than passive attendance. Understanding that progress requires openness, honest reflection, and consistent follow-through outside of sessions can transform the experience. Many assume therapy is a space where solutions are simply provided, but meaningful change demands engagement and effort from the client.
The advice I would offer is to approach therapy as a collaborative process. Prepare questions, track patterns between sessions, and be willing to experiment with strategies suggested by the psychologist. Recognizing that setbacks are part of growth can reduce frustration and increase resilience. Embracing this mindset allows clients to extract maximum value from therapy and fosters long-term personal development beyond the counseling environment.
Find a Therapist Who Fits You
As a therapist, what I wish clients knew before starting therapy is the importance of understanding therapeutic fit, i.e. the professional term for how well you and your therapist work together. In simpler terms, it is whether you feel genuinely comfortable, understood, and safe with your therapist. Not every therapist will be the right match for every person. If you don't feel this fit or connection after trying a few sessions, it is okay to find another therapist.
Based on my experience working with clients, I would advise expecting ups and downs as you journey in therapy. Some sessions will feel productive, while others might feel like there isn't much progress. And sometimes, the most valuable work will happen between sessions, as you process what was discussed in therapy.
Remember that therapy is a collaborative process with your therapist. Your therapist brings the clinical expertise, but as the client, you are the expert on your own life and experiences. We work together to help you find insights and solutions that feel right for you.
Most importantly, be patient with yourself. Change doesn't happen overnight, and setbacks are part of the journey. Therapy work is actually harder work than most people realize. Give yourself permission to move at your own pace.
