What Brings You to Therapy? : How to Answer This Question

If you have been to a therapist or just have watched those movies with therapy sessions, 

you might be asking why this specific question. Secondly, those contemplating therapy

might ask,  how should I answer it? 

Well, there is no right or wrong way of answering this question. As a Counseling

Psychologist, I have witnessed most clients fumble trying to answer this question right.

However, it should not be an obstacle to your quest for therapy. Therefore, this article will

explore how to answer this question and why it is essential. 

1. It helps the therapist understand your challenges.

When you come to therapy, only you

know what has been troubling you. The

stressors and emotional burdens you

might be carrying. Therefore, asking, “

What brings you to counseling” invites

the therapist into your world. It lets

them in on our needs so that they

can get the information required to analyze and formulate a  treatment plan. 

Sometimes it might start with phrases like:

” I’m not sure what’s wrong, but lately, I have been feeling empty and unhappy” 

” My husband thinks I need therapy, so I decided to show up”

” My children are driving me crazy, and I need to talk to someone who won’t judge my parenting”

Phrases like the ones listed above are just some that I have heard from clients. They are not

perfect answers because there is no perfect answer. However, they are great starting points

for the therapist to pick on your issues and explore. 

If you want to gain the most from therapy, the key is always to speak about what is

happening. Look at some of these suggestions on what to do from the link. 

2. It helps you build a relationship with the therapist

I have often emphasized forming a therapeutic bond between clients and therapists. It

always begins from the first time you meet. How willing are you to open up and connect at

a therapeutic level?  It might be difficult to start sharing with someone you just met.

However, it helps you acknowledge and accept your desire for healing. 

Allow yourself to trust the therapist and trust that they are trying to help you get better.

Relationships are founded on trust, and getting help might be a little difficult without it. In a

therapy session, I have had a client ask, ” Why should I trust you with my details?”. It is

okay to question, meaning you are trying to reflect on it, which can also be a good start. 

A counseling space is often confidential, genuine, and non-judgmental. Therefore, open up

as much as you can. Allow your worries and thoughts to flow out. Let yourself lean on

another helping hand and begin the journey of recovery. Wondering what therapy feels like?

I answer this question in this article

3. It helps you take control of the conflicts you are facing.

Think of it as taking responsibility or

taking ownership of the process.

Knowing that you are the one who

presented the needs helps you be more

comfortable with the counseling

journey. You can ask questions, get

clarity on what was said, and give

feedback. Moreover, taking control means being intentional and dedicated to the process.

Be proactive, patient, willing to learn, and focus on the goal.

Some of the questions you might ask:

” What does that mean?”

” Can I get help?”

” What if I don’t know what will happen?”

Conclusion

What brings you to therapy is a surface-level response to your problems. Therefore, openly

communicating allows the therapist to make an analysis, diagnosis, and a proper treatment

plan.