What is the goal of therapy? There are numerous answers to this question, and depending on who you are your answer might be different. Nevertheless, your answer will likely include some sort of outcome where the thing that you came to therapy for, got better- right?
You want your relationships to be repaired, your emotions to be manageable, your life to have some stability, to enjoy your days.
Usually, if you’re pursuing therapy then there is some sort of dynamic you want to be changed. And, this is hard work! Sometimes people find that what they actually want is an out. To feel better. To rise above the challenge. To get on with life.
They want resiliency. And resiliency can be a beautiful thing! Resilience is a necessary strength for overcoming the hard things that we will inevitably endure. But we have to be careful not to prioritize resiliency at the cost of healing.
Sometimes, rising above and trudging on stifles the process of finding true resolution of our pain. When this is our approach, we may be able to stomach symptoms as they arise but we will never address the root. We will continue to need to tap into our resiliency day after day as residual symptoms compound with the new trials we encounter.
It doesn’t have to be this way.
There’s a world where we can do more than just survive but thrive in our lives. Prioritizing true healing allows flourishing. Therefore, this is often the best goal of therapy. Rather than simply identifying ways to cope and find momentary relief, counseling is aimed at finding the deeper root of what you bring into the room so that together we can find healing that will last and prevent future hurt. As a counselor, I want to help people do more than just function in their day-to-day lives. I want them to experience all that life can offer them.
It’s easy to miss this. When you come to counseling with symptoms that you’re looking to resolve, sometimes those symptoms get better, and it seems like the work is done. But unfortunately, if the underlying cause of those symptoms is never addressed you will have to continue building more and more resiliency (which requires more and more energy and hardship) in order to overcome new symptoms. This is why resiliency is important, but should not be the end goal.
So the goal of therapy? Is true healing not resiliency at the cost of healing. Discovering how you can flourish and work toward restoration of what’s broken in your life. Building resiliency so that you can do the work, but not stopping there. Pursuing the hope that you can be healed and thrive.
Want to do this work? We’re here to help. Call (225) 341-4147 to discuss which counselor may be the best fit to work with you toward healing.
