3 Reasons to Attend Therapy Weekly

This short blog shares 3 reasons to attend therapy weekly. This may feel like a big commitment in your weekly schedule. It could be that you have your hands full in several different areas. This includes family, school, work, sports, and more. However, your mental health is a priority, and deserves to be treated as one!

 

It is recommended (and usually standard) to attend sessions on a weekly basis to begin. This is due to the 3 reasons that we will discuss below. When you are attending therapy inconsistently or too spread out, it can slow the therapeutic process. Too much time will go by between sessions to play catch-up. Therefore, coming consistently is important for the process to gain traction.

 

As therapists usually hold a 50-minute session, that time goes by quickly. There is only so much that you can touch on during that session until the next time. It’s also important to consider that you’re bringing your history with you to the session. It takes time to discuss the past 5, 10, 20, 30 years of your life! Even if you’re looking to discuss present matters, therapists still need to obtain a clear understanding of who you are.

 

With these 3 reasons to attend therapy weekly, you may get a better sense of the benefits of doing so. Coming bi-weekly is also a flexible option, and you can still experience these benefits with your therapist. For information about therapy in Simi Valley, CA, contact us today. Make sure to read our blog on 3 Reasons to Start Childhood Trauma Therapy.

 

3 Reasons to Attend Therapy Weekly: To build rapport with your therapist

The first reason to attend therapy weekly is to build rapport with your therapist. Starting off, it’s really about them getting to know you. Your therapist wants to know what a day in your life looks like. They’ll want to know more about your background, from your past to present. With all of this in mind, they can have a deeper understanding of you as an individual.

 

Why is building rapport so important? Having trust with your therapist is key to the therapist-client relationship. It’s important that you feel safe and respected in your sessions, especially when talking about difficult topics. Verywellmind.com has a great article on the benefits of therapeutic rapport. These include:

 

• Better ability to discuss distressing memories or information.

 

• Feeling more comfortable talking about emotions or experiences.

 

• Better ability to gain insight and hear various perspectives.

 

• Feeling supported throughout the therapeutic process.

 

Therapists build rapport with you in several ways. This includes active listening during the session, such as being fully engaged in what you’re sharing with them. They will collaborate with you and empower you when setting goals. Your therapist will adjust treatment planning to your needs, such as considering culture, gender identity, and more!

 

Working with a genuine therapist in Simi Valley, CA makes building rapport easier. For individual therapy in Ventura County, we offer sessions in-person. Make sure to read our blog on 5 Ways to Quickly Ground Yourself!

 

3 Reasons to Attend Therapy Weekly: To track & manage symptoms 

Tracking and managing symptoms is a core part of the therapeutic process. For example, perhaps you are going in for sessions due to struggles with depression. Your depression symptoms include an inability to tend to basic needs, such as practicing hygiene, cleaning your room, or brushing your hair. 

 

Your therapist will work with you to understand where they can meet you at, and where you can meet yourself at. They’ll want to know how frequently you struggle with this moving forward, and track any symptoms or stressors that show up alongside this. From there, you and your therapist will collaborate on goals to work towards.

 

Perhaps you notice having panic attacks more frequently than in the past. Current stressors are becoming overwhelming, and negatively impacting your functioning. Your therapist will want to understand what symptoms you’re experiencing, and work to see what helps you manage them.

 

Coping skills are behaviors that help people manage difficult emotions. Based on your presenting symptoms, you’ll be given various tasks to find ways to self-regulate and cope. Your therapist will want to track if they work or not, and how often you’re utilizing them. 

 

For anxiety therapy in Simi Valley, CA, you can expect to have a more clear understanding of your symptoms. Make sure to read our blog on 3 Steps for Reversing Negative Self-Talk.

 

3 Reasons to Attend Therapy Weekly: To track progress towards goals 

Progress towards your goals is non-linear. Some days, it’ll feel like you’re making steady progress towards them. With that, you’ll always have days that feel like setbacks. You may feel discouraged because of this, and struggle to feel confident in your ability to reach your goal. However, setbacks provide us with opportunities to grow and learn!

 

As we continue to attend therapy consistently, it’s likely that hidden things in your unconscious mind will begin to surface. This can look like issues from your childhood, insecurities, traumas, and much more. While we continue to work on present issues, we will keep them in mind as we go.

 

We are influenced by these unconscious thoughts or behaviors. It’s interesting exploring where they came from, and how they are interfering with your daily life. In order to properly track progress towards goals, we’ll need to factor this in, as well. 

 

You can expect that your therapist will periodically review the set goals you have in session. They’ll ask how you feel you’re doing in making progress towards them, and share additional feedback for you. You two may want to revisit the goals to confirm them, tweak them, or establish new ones. Therefore, it’s important to have a therapeutic relationship that you feel safe in. 

 

In therapy in Simi Valley, our experienced therapists are ready to support you. Make sure to read our blog on 5 Signs You’re Growing as a Person.

 

3 Reasons to Attend Therapy Weekly: What if I can’t afford weekly sessions?

Extremely valid question and concern. It’s important that you’re working with the right fit therapist. This doesn’t only include good rapport, but also that you can attend long-term. Weekly sessions may not always be so realistic or accessible. However, this largely depends on the therapist or clinic you’re receiving services at. You need to consider the therapist fee and whether or not they take insurance. 

 

Your therapist wants to help relieve you of stress, not add on financial stress. As mentioned, consistency in sessions is so important. Therefore, you’ll want to match with a therapist that you can see weekly or even bi-weekly. Attending monthly or as-needed is not recommended, as too much time passes in between sessions. This makes it hard for them to support you for the 3 listed reasons.

 

It’s also important to ask about sliding scales. Private therapists usually provide a sliding scale based upon demonstrated need. They’ll also want to ensure that you have developed good rapport, and can commit on a consistent basis with the sliding scale. Attending regular therapy is an extremely beneficial investment into your well-being.

 

There are also local resources for low-fee clinics or free clinics. For example, the CLU Counseling Center in Westlake Village pairs you with Master and Doctor level students offering therapy services at a low fee. If you’re in need of local therapy near Simi Valley, contact us today for some referrals!

 

Feel like these 3 reasons to attend therapy weekly inspire you? Consider contacting us today for a free consultation on in-person therapy. We’re looking forward to supporting you!

 

In-person therapy in Simi Valley is ideal for those seeking a separate, safe space from their home. Check out our blog on Online Therapy or In Office Therapy to understand what format is best for you. Another great blog to read is ours on if you need Therapy or Medication to address your issues.

 

By seeking out support, you can begin your journey to feeling relief. You don’t have to go through finding the right level of support alone, either. By clicking here, you’ll read our blog on Information About Simi Valley Therapists.

 

Consider calling our therapy group at (805) 774-1506 for a free consultation on how you or a loved one can get started today!

 

Seek out a validating, safe environment with us today. We will help you get to where you want to be. Our therapists provide trauma therapy, teen therapy, individual adult therapy, LGBTQIA+ therapy, anxiety therapy, depression therapy, family therapy, and more in-office in Simi Valley, CA.