What to do When Therapy Isn’t Working?

There are a variety of reasons that therapy may not feel like it's working. Most of the time, if you correct the reasons that you believe therapy is not working, you will see results. Let's look at a few of the reasons why therapy may not be working.

One of the most important aspects of successful therapy is a good relationship between the therapist and client. There are many therapists out there with different niches, so finding the proper therapist to work with the issues at hand is essential. On top of that, it is even more important to find a therapist that shares the same values as the client. For instance, if a client values humor and a therapist is very serious, personalities may clash and the client may not feel comfortable.

When looking for a therapist it is important to find someone that you get along with and will want to work with. One way to learn more if this is the right therapist for you is to set up a 10-minute consultation call. The most therapist we'll meet with a potential client for a complimentary phone call to ensure that they will work well together. Therapists want to make sure that their clients are receiving the best care possible, so meeting with them for a complimentary consultation is also in their best interest.

Another reason that therapy may not be working is if the client is being passive in the therapeutic process. Therapy is not a passive treatment, in fact, it's just the opposite. Therapy requires work and focus from the client. Therefore, a client should not expect to just walk into therapy and have all of their issues solved in a 60-minute session. Therapy continues to happen outside of the therapy room, it happens in between sessions, too. This may look like keeping a Journal, completing worksheets, watching a movie, reading a book, or keeping a log of feelings or sleep. All of this responsibility falls on the client.

While there may be several reasons why it feels like therapy isn't working, it's important to note that therapy does work and if it isn't working then it is definitely worth taking a look at how to correct the problem. Don't give up on therapy, be willing to put in the effort to discover what's not working and then make it work for you.