To tell or not tell our secrets

Sharing your deepest secrets and heartfelt feelings with a stranger is not easy. And many use that as an excuse to avoid it altogether. Granted, that is a valid concern.

However, what they fail to understand is, a therapeutic relationship is built on trust and open communication. While it’s essential to be honest with your therapist, there is a delicate balance between sharing too much and withholding information. So where do we go from here?

Honesty is the cornerstone of effective therapy. Sharing your thoughts, feelings and experiences openly allows your therapist to gain a comprehensive understanding of your challenges and develop tailored strategies to address them. When you’re honest, you create a safe space for exploration and growth. And besides, you’re spending so much money not to be transparent and get the results you need.

It’s equally important to avoid over-disclosure on the other hand. Sharing too much especially too soon can lead to overwhelm and hinder the therapeutic process. It’s essential to find a comfortable pace that allows you to gradually reveal information as you feel safe and ready. Do not rush the process. That is why you need to invest time for the therapeutic process to be worthwhile.

Although sometimes it might be helpful to withhold certain information initially due to feelings of shame, embarrassment or fear of judgment, do share at the right time. By starting with less sensitive topics you can build trust and gradually work towards sharing more personal details.

Establishing healthy boundaries is crucial in any relationship including the therapeutic one. While honesty is important, it’s also essential to protect yourself from emotional overload.

Communicate your boundaries clearly with your therapist if you feel the need to and don’t hesitate to express discomfort if you feel overwhelmed. He or she will understand.

Once that trust is established, your relationship will naturally develop and you will feel inclined to open up. Remember, at the end of the day your therapist is there to support you and not to judge you.

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Unless something is seriously wrong, your therapist is trained to create a safe and supportive environment. Use that chance to work towards your healing journey.

Instead of lying or shutting down during therapy which doesn’t come free, you always have the option of finding a new one. Take advantage of referrals to get the right one for you.