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Can therapy change your personality?
Undertaking effective therapy can drive changes in your personality traits. In particular, and probably most appropriately, seeing a therapist was found to change Neuroticism for the better. The remaining Big Five with the exception of openness, showed small, if statistically significant changes. There are multiple options for doing CBT without a therapist, including self-help books and Internet-based treatment. Many studies have shown that self-directed CBT can be very effective. The stigma that only unhappy people seek therapy simply isn’t true. There are over 59 million Americans who turn to therapy to help improve their mental health and to learn healthy habits that will serve them for the rest of their lives! The process of therapy may cause you to experience uncomfortable or painful feelings, such as sadness, guilt, anxiety, anger, or frustration. Counseling may bring up painful memories. It might disrupt relationships. Talking to a Therapist Therapy isn’t just for people who are in the middle of a major life crisis. Talking to a psychotherapist can help you to sort out your feelings and release pent-up emotions or secrets that you haven’t felt free to share with anyone else.
Is it possible to self-therapy?
Some research suggests self-therapy can be a valuable tool for people with mild to moderate symptoms of stress, depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges. But being your own therapist isn’t the first choice of intervention for all cases. It could certainly be a complementary effort. Therapy can be useful for anyone with serious mental health issues like depression and even for those with not so severe issues like low confidence or relationship conflicts. Self-help books cannot take the place of a fellow human being who is trained and dedicated to guiding you through tough times and transforming you into a better, happier version of yourself. Therapy provides more value than self-help books. Other things to avoid during a therapy session include: asking about other confidential conversations with other clients; showcasing violent emotions; or implying any romantic or sexual interest in your therapist. The number one job of a therapist is to keep you safe and protect their clients’ privacy.
Can therapy change who you are?
It is possible for people to change their personality traits, habits, behaviors, thoughts, and attitudes, often with the help of therapeutic interventions. Below, Daramus outlines some forms of therapy that can be helpful. One of the most challenging aspects of conducting therapy is finessing the balance between meeting clients where they are at and also encouraging them to grow. I believe we all unconsciously recreate patterns in our life that are familiar to us as a way of working through our issues. Therapy creates an experience of being acceptable instead of feeling rejected, which inherently improves self-esteem. Being consistently treated as important, valuable, and accepted by a therapist on a regular basis can challenge the negative thoughts a patient has developed about themself. Alternative options to therapy include exercise (like yoga and dance), meditation, art, music, journaling, and reading. Mental health apps are available to help support you as well. If available to you, animals can also be a great resource for emotional connection. As you progress in therapy, you find that you’re less anxious, sad or angry; more confident; and better able to cope with setbacks. Most importantly, you begin to accept yourself. “When we’re self-accepting, we’re in better spirits, more flexible and more resilient,” he says. Anyone can enjoy the benefits of therapy, whether you want to set life goals or establish healthy relationships. You don’t need to be in a debilitating crisis to get support. If people are proactive about their mental health, they can prevent their concerns from festering into a larger problem.