How can talking help?

If someone is in distress, how can talking to an experienced psychotherapist help? A few years ago I was interviewed by a radio station and I answered this question. Have a listen -

https://soundcloud.com/wandsworthradio/wandsworth-tonight-210715

If it is difficult for you to listen to the interview, I have set out below a summary of how talking to a psychotherapist can help –

• Someone can hear the depth of your anguish. Too often our thoughts and feelings are dismissed or reduced by unhelpful phrases such as: ‘I am sure things will work out somehow’ or ‘Look on the bright side’. If someone truly acknowledges the depth of your pain, allowing it to come into the room, sometimes that can help to lessen its potency.

• It normalises things. It is not shameful, and it is more common than you think, for people to experience distress. If you talk to someone who listens to you without judgment, you can see that you are not alone, and that having these thoughts does not make you a failure.

• It allows you to see that these are just thoughts. Thinking about something does not make it happen. And talking about thoughts does not mean that you are acting on them. If you talk about your thoughts, sometimes you can see that these are just thoughts, and sometimes you realise that they are as temporary as many other thoughts.

• It helps you to realise what you really want. When we are in distress, thinking clearly can be really, really difficult. We might even end up saying or doing something we might otherwise regret. A therapist can help you to clarify your thoughts, and you will be given the opportunity to really question what is helpful for you.

Get in contact today. You can send an email, telephone, or use the online booking system.

Email - chris@exploretransform.com
Telephone - (201) 779-6917
https://www.exploretransform.com/
Online booking via the link below

Chris Warren-Dickins is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Ridgewood, New Jersey. Sessions are available in-person at his downtown Ridgewood, or online ​

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