Are you making your way outside the shrink's office?
The shrink's office is this space devoted to therapy, reflection, introspection. But once the session is over, we should continue to work our way through our heads. How does our thinking progress outside of therapy and what place should we give it in our daily life?
Yes, when you are in therapy, the psychological journey does not only happen when you are face to face with the therapist.
“We sow small seeds, but then, the reflection can continue in outside of therapy, explains psychologist and author Lory Zephyr. When you're on the subway, at work or at home, you may start to think about the topics you talked about during a session. “
All these thoughts or emotions that can arise in everyday life also feed the work started with the shrink, she emphasizes.
Being curious de soi
To help her patients to continue introspection between sessions without putting pressure on themselves, psychologist Geneviève Beaulieu-Pelletier encourages them to “be curious about themselves” and what may emerge.
“Everyone has their own personality and explores different issues,” she adds. Some people can easily let the therapy spill over into their daily lives, but others will be very scared and will not want to go it alone. ”
According to her, approach the emotions and thoughts that come to us with curiosity , without self-judgment, is a good way to see things with more perspective. Taking a few notes or keeping a journal can also help you remember what you observed and then talk about it at a future session.
“In any case, you wouldn't expect the patient to do their therapy on their own at home. The work is done gradually and we do not immediately become autonomous, but the observations of a patient between sessions are often an interesting subject to explore, ”she summarizes.
Talking to her entourage
Obviously, both therapists know that patients are usually not alone when they walk out of the office. Family, friends, colleagues are also present and can have a role to play.
“Of course you can talk about your therapy or the issues you're working on if you feel ready! This is generally beneficial and it makes you feel supported. On the other hand, we are not going to turn to just anyone. It is preferable to choose people of sensitive and empathetic trust ”, suggests Lory Zephyr.
If she also thinks that others can enrich our reflections, offer us another point of view, Geneviève Beaulieu-Pelletier recalls however, they can be biased.
“For example, if I am in conflict with my father and I tell my brother about it, it can be very interesting, but you have to keep in mind that he surely has a bias and that he does not. the expertise of a psychologist ”, she illustrates.
Giving yourself time
Finally, even if therapy should obviously not take up all the space in our life , for Lory Zephyr, it's important to recognize that the changes she brings can take a lot of energy.
“Sometimes it's quite demanding emotionally and psychologically,” says the psychologist. Maybe it's an opportunity to slow down to respect your pace and take the time to find your bearings. ”
She suggests limiting yourself to activities that really do us good, d 'take a little less at work or reduce our workload at home.
“We can sometimes be impatient for therapy to progress and things to be sorted out,” she admits. But first you have to give yourself the time and surrender a bit to the process. “
