Goals for Therapy

Coming to therapy can be daunting and you might not know fully how you want to work on your difficulties. A lot of the time we want to feel happier or feel less anxious and we don't know know how to say that differently. We have written out an example below how thinking about your goals in a more specific way can be helpful so that we can fit the best suitable therapy to your needs. 

Client: I want to feel happier.

Therapist: Let's work on making your goal more specific. Happiness can mean different things to different people. Can you give me more details about what specifically you would like to achieve?

Client: Well, I've been feeling down lately and want to have a more positive outlook on life. I want to enjoy my days and feel a sense of fulfilment.

Therapist: That's a great starting point. Now, let's make it even more specific. What are some specific activities or experiences that would contribute to that sense of fulfilment and a more positive outlook on life?

Client: Hmm, I guess spending quality time with my family and friends, engaging in hobbies that I used to enjoy but have neglected, and feeling a sense of purpose in my work would make me feel happier.

Therapist: Excellent. Now, let's rephrase your goal to make it more specific. How about this: "Within the next three months, I want to spend at least two evenings each week engaging in activities I enjoy with my family and friends, dedicate one hour each day to pursuing my neglected hobbies, and find a sense of purpose in my work by identifying meaningful goals and taking steps towards achieving them."

Client: Yes, that sounds much more specific and actionable.

Therapist: Great! By making your goal specific, it becomes clearer and more focused. This will help us develop a more effective plan to work towards achieving it. We can track your progress, make adjustments if needed, and celebrate milestones along the way.

If you feel that you aren't able to think about your difficulties in this specific way yet, please don't worry. One of our practitioners can help you with this during your intake. Thank you for reading through this and for thinking along with us how we can best help you.