Therapy for Self Growth
January 2nd, 2012
By Kelly Gorsky, LMHC, CCP
Click here to contact Kelly and/or see her GoodTherapy.org Profile
We all have this wall around us. It is a very defined wall that protects us from harm. At times, it prevents us from opening our eyes to something we might need but don’t necessarily want to hear. Resistance within us is very thick and it gets even thicker as we move along in our daily lives. Our daily routines become redundant, predictable and too comfortable until we become unknowingly complacent. We feel there are no other alternatives, the feelings of sadness, disappointment and annoyance creep. These emotions seem to not to want to go away even if and when we try to entertain ourselves, be it with friends and outings or any extracurricular activities. Many times, alcohol, gambling and other mood-altering substances take the place of healing, a means to self-medicate. A means to escape the vicious cycle we have created.
Then we finally reach our rock bottom, which varies and differs in all of us. Reaching rock bottom can go either way – seeking help or staying there. However, even when reaching out to gain assistance, we’re still separated by that wall of resistance – the old familiar thinking. In order to begin breaking the old familiar pattern, we need to learn to just listen, to allow the information to penetrate, even though we may feel extremely uncomfortable (especially if it challenges our beliefs and comfort zones). It is then, when we listen and process the information and perhaps attempt to allow different alternatives to seep in, that we can lower our resistance. That wall decreases its thickness and we open our eyes to new beginnings. Seeing and thinking differently is an essential tool to resume life with a new pair of glasses and attitude.
Whether we sought advisement from our friends or relatives or even a therapist, usually the best suggestion is the one that makes you feel awkward and uncomfortable. That’s the one that will lead you to your destination of choice. Having goals short-term or long-term is important and its time frame not so much. It’s the route that you take that makes a difference. The route consists of your behavior, the steps you take to get there; not the old familiar actions, but the actions that stimulate you, challenge you and lead you to pathways that you haven’t been before. So, in essence, we still carry the protective wall but it’s more flexible, more adjustable and creative. We are at all times in full control of our emotions, thoughts and behaviors. However, we just make different choices, implement new behaviors and allow new feelings to formulate, to flow within us.
In a nutshell, the paragraphs above describes Individual Therapy/Counseling. Therapy is something one seeks when in need, and typically not when in want. The outcome is usually extremely rewarding, as you have done it yourself and you have not given up. In essence, therapy is about never giving up on your better self; thus it’s called self growth!
Related Articles:
The Art of Letting Go
Taking the Encouragement to Move Forward!
The Myths of Therapy
©Copyright 2012 by Kelly Gorsky, LMHC, CCP, therapist in Staten Island, NY. All Rights Reserved.
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5 Comments | Click here to leave a comment.
Comments
Sometimes I feel so low, cutting off from the world and just running away seems like the best option there is.But I know it will not solve any problems,you have gotta get out there and face em,once you take a fall you have gotta get up and go on.
Its when we face newer things and challenges that we grow.Its no use living in a cocoon going about like a machine on presets.And for something new to happen we need to be open to accepting new things,to changes.Its not easy to accept change but the habits needs to be inculcated.
while we grow at every stage in life,from everything we experience,it is advantageous only if it is nurtured and in the right direction.seeking help for the same and learning how to use everything around you to your benefit is a great thing and especially so because not everybody will know how to do so intuitively,
I have given some thought to going into therapy, just because I have some unanswered questions about why I do the things that I do. But I am not sure form reading here that I really need this, just that it is something that I have thought about from time to time. I don’t think that I am a bad person, I would just kind of like to delve into who I am a little deeper and with someone who can be a little objective unlike family or friends or someone like that.
Therapy is the best gift that I ever gave to myself, because it taught me to love myself no matter what, which then gave me the strength and courage to love others in my life too.
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