Time - Making it Work for your Therapy

For those of us living life in the fast lane, time may have pressured us to put wellbeing needs a little further down the priority list.  Occasionally, this problem will right itself with the passage of time itself simply washing it downstream and away from our immediate consciousness.  More commonly however, prioritising the needs of others ahead of our own can cause stress to deepen and reappear down the track more severely, and achieving balance again may take longer with increased difficulty.  When it comes time for therapy, there are many things you can do to help make it work.

Any time may suit

There are a wide range of services available for those seeking support, and it may surprise you to know there are many practices working alternate hours to suit the needs of their clientele.  Some keep the traditional nine till five workdays, whilst others may offer after hours services into the evening.  It is even possible to engage therapists at all hours, particularly with online providers, so there is no doubt that your needs can be met in the time that you have available.

Reprioritise

It may seem strange to comprehend, but your mental health requirements must come first.  The saying “you cannot pour from an empty cup” is particularly poignant in this context because over time, you are at risk of losing utility amidst all of the things that are keeping you busy and absent from the best version of you.  This in itself will cost you time as stress leads to poor cognitive function that can slow executive purpose, potentially digging a deeper hole and kick starting a vicious cycle.  A good tip is to evaluate your schedule as the interval of time you’ve chosen to attend counselling, so if you wish to seek weekly therapy – plan your calendar weekly and look for gaps that will grant you regularity and consistency.

Communication

It is entirely up to you to decide how and to whom you wish to disclose your therapy attendance, but generally speaking a supportive and trusted network can assist greatly in removing roadblocks.  This may be your partner, family or close friends who are willing to pitch in to take some of the responsibility off your shoulders to grant you the time you need.  Those who care for you want to see you well and happy, and you can be rest assured that opportunities to show your gratitude or even return the favour will be abundant when you can think more clearly.  Never feel selfish, your needs may differ greatly from others.