Why do therapists sit in silence?
The Benefits of Therapist Silence in Session Comfortable silence can provide what D.W. Winnicott referred to as a “holding environment.” In such a silence, the client can feel safe. It indicates that there is space in the therapy hour for the person to do serious introspection.
How do you engage a quiet client in therapy?
- Ask Focused Questions. Even before your first session with a client, you have the chance to start asking the right questions.
- Be Welcoming. Especially in an initial session, therapy can feel a bit clinical or even business-like.
- Build a Powerful Relationship.
- Do an Exit Interview.
- Actively Listen.
- Stay in Touch.
How can I be comfortable with silence in therapy?
Avoid filling the awkward silences with your unpolished thoughts. Suppose you are anxious during silence and jump in to end it. In that case, you may signal to the client that something is wrong when it is quiet, which may make them feel more awkward during the silences than necessary.
Should you worry about silence in therapy?
Well, there are also times when silence is a cause for concern. Performance anxiety: Therapy is a stressful experience for many people. They feel like they’re under the searing light of the third degree and are so afraid of scrutiny they become a deer in the headlights. There’s nothing beneficial about this panic.
What actually happens during a therapy session?
Q: What actually happens during a therapy session? A: Each session is, essentially, a problem-solving session. You describe your current situation, and your feelings about it, and then the therapist uses their expertise to assist you in trying to resolve that problem so you can move closer to having the life you wish to have.
Do people who go to therapy feel the same?
After years of chatting with therapists, other therapy-goers and people who were on the fence, I learned many people who consider therapy feel similarly before they commit. Therapy is a different for everyone, but there are common myths and misconceptions that aren’t true, ones that prevent people from receiving the benefits I have.
What do you talk about when you visit a therapist?
Many people think that visiting a therapist means digging up old skeletons from your childhood, or talking about how awful your mother was, etc. That is a myth. What you talk about during a therapy session will largely depend on your unique situation and goals.