Why evaluating your psychological treatment is important for your progress

Seeking psychological treatment for mental health concerns can be a difficult and courageous step in one’s life. It takes a lot of effort to acknowledge the need for help and to seek out a professional to support you emotionally, mentally, and physically. Once you begin receiving therapy, it is important to evaluate your psychological treatment to review your progress and make sure that you are benefiting from it as much as possible. In this blog post, we will discuss why evaluating your psychological treatment is important, how to do it effectively, and what to do if you feel as if you’re not progressing in your therapy sessions.

Understanding the importance of evaluating your psychological treatment:
Evaluating your therapy sessions regularly is essential to monitor your progress and to check if you are experiencing any signs of stagnation or regression. It is crucial to acknowledge if your therapy is benefiting you or not, to ensure that your current treatment is effective and provides you with the necessary support needed to make changes in your life. By evaluating your therapy, you can work in partnership with your therapist to set goals, adjust treatments, modify interventions, and work towards resolving your mental health concerns.

Effective ways to evaluate your psychological treatment:
To evaluate your therapy sessions effectively, try to keep a journal to keep track of your emotions, thoughts, and behaviours in a day. Write down how you feel after each therapy session and try to link your response to therapy to particular challenges or events in your life. Keep track of any changes in your mental health, such as improved mood, fewer anxiety symptoms, better sleep pattern, and increased cognitive abilities. Evaluating your therapy sessions also entails reflecting on the therapeutic alliance between you and your therapist. If you feel comfortable, safe, and respected during therapy sessions, it is a good indication that you have a good therapeutic connection.

Recognising signs of stagnation in therapy sessions:
Despite attending therapy regularly and applying the interventions suggested, some individuals find themselves feeling stuck or stagnant. In these instances, it is essential to review your therapy sessions to understand the possible reasons for the stagnation. If you notice that you’re not making any progress or feel unmotivated to attend therapy or work on yourself, it may be time to work with your therapist to modify your treatment plan. This modification could entail changing the therapeutic approach or goal-setting plan to reenergise the therapy and make progress towards your mental health goals.

What to do if you feel your psychological treatment is not beneficial:
If you feel that the therapy you are receiving is not beneficial to your mental health, it is important to speak with your therapist and discuss your concerns. Speak openly, honestly, and respectfully to enable your therapist to understand your perspective and offer more relevant interventions tailored to your needs. In some cases, it may be necessary to seek a second opinion or change therapists if you do not feel adequately supported or connected with your current therapist.

Evaluating your psychological treatment is essential to ensure that you are benefiting from therapy and making progress towards your mental health goals. It may take time, effort, and courage to acknowledge stagnation or lack of progress in therapy, but doing so can enable you to work collaboratively with your therapist to review the effectiveness of interventions and modify the treatment plan. Remember, seeking therapy is a significant step towards taking care of your mental health, and evaluating it regularly is a part of the process.