• Home
  • Common Issues
    • Mood
      • Depression
      • Anxiety
      • Panic
      • Social Anxiety
    • Relationships
      • Couples Counseling
      • Physical Intimacy Issues
      • Finding the Right Relationship
      • Family Issues
    • Coaching
      • Career
      • Life Coaching
      • Weight Management & Fitness Coaching
    • Other
      • Medicare and Senior Issues
      • Child and Adolescent
      • Christian Counseling
      • Chronic Pain and Medical Issues
      • Medication Evaluation and Management
  • About Therapy
    • Session Formats
      • Individuals
      • Couples
      • Kids and Teens
      • Families
      • Canine Counseling
    • Therapy Styles
      • Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
      • Family Systems (Psychodynamic)
      • Christian Counseling
      • Meditation and Mindfulness Training
      • Hypnosis Therapy Technique
    • FAQs
      • What is the difference between a psychologist and a counselor?
      • What is your confidentiality policy?
      • Does therapy really work?
      • How long will I need to be in therapy?
      • How often should I come?
      • How can I measure my progress in therapy?
      • What if I don’t share the same belief system or life circumstances as my therapist?
      • Can I use my insurance?
  • Inspiration
    • Articles
      • Blog
        • Practicing Vulnerability in Your Relationships

        • Using Distraction as an Avoidance of Emotion

        • Tips for Managing Daily Activities while Struggling with Depression

        • Friendships: How to manage your boundaries and enjoy them more!

        • Recognizing Burnout and the Importance of Work-Life Balance

    • Quotes
      • InstagramInstagram has returned invalid data.
    • Videos
      • Videos
        • Understanding Guilt and How It Works

        • Sexual Dissatisfaction

  • Checklist
    • Adult ADHD Self-Evaluation
    • Anxiety Self-Evaluation
    • Bipolarism Self-Evaluation
    • Depression Self-Evaluation
    • Panic Attack Self-Evaluation
    • Relationship Health Self-Evaluation
    • Social Anxiety Self-Evaluation
    • Sexual Dysfunction Self-Evaluation
  • About Us
    • Whole Life Philosophy
    • Staff
      • Heather Robbins, Ph.D., LP
      • James Robbins, MA., LPC
      • Leslie Scott, MS, LPC
      • Steve Reedy, MA, LPC, RMT, NMT
      • Breanna Katz-Estrada, MSW, LCSW
      • Emily McGlothlin, MS, LPC
      • Jon Johnston, MA, LPC
      • Kelly Kay Wynn, MS, MSW, LCSW
      • Marilyn Powell, Ph.D.
      • Diane Williams, MSW, LCSW
    • News
    • Blog
  • Contact Us
    • Rates
    • Insurance
      • Fees & Insurance
      • Medicare Part B
      • Blue Cross and Blue Shield
    • Location
    • Appointments
      • Schedule a Consultation
      • Scheduling Hours
      • Scheduling Policy
  • Social & Contact
    ‪(972) 755-0996

Dallas Whole Life Counseling

Licensed Psychologist and Therapists

Top 10 psychologists in Dallas, TX 2016 Top Counseling & Mental Health in Dallas

Schedule a Consult

How to Make the Most of Counseling and Therapy

Counseling Tips - Dallas Whole Life Counseling(1)

January 2, 2019 by James Robbins, M.A., LPC

If you are already in counseling, or you are considering working with a psychologist or therapist, four tips will help maximize your therapy process:

1. Take personal responsibility.

On the one hand, counseling is a perfectly appropriate place to “vent” about your boss, your spouse, etc. On the other hand, you don’t want to get trapped in victim mode. While it’s helpful for your therapist to hear about your frustrations with your boss or your spouse, your therapist can’t change these people. For that matter, your therapist can’t change you. That’s up to you. Your psychologist or counselor can provide you with the tools to make powerful life changes, but you are the only person who can put those tools into daily action.

2. Speak freely.

Some clients approach the therapy process as if it’s an interview rather than a conversation. They rely on the therapist to “pull out” relevant information and issues. The counseling process is most effective when the client provides the talking energy. What do you talk about? Anything that’s on your mind. Therapy isn’t a typical social interaction, so there are really no off limit topics. Your sex life, your favorite TV show, politics, your 7th grade science fair project–anything that comes to mind during session, for whatever reason, is worth exploring. Trying too hard to “get it right” during therapy sessions can hold you back. Your job is simply to show up, to speak freely, and see where the counseling process leads you.

3. Do your homework.

Psychologists and counselors assign homework to varying degrees. Maybe you’ll be asked to journal or read a book. Maybe you’ll be encouraged to meditate or list your life goals. Maybe you’ll simply be guided to actively think about certain things between sessions. Your counseling sessions are a focal point, but how you apply yourself outside the therapy room is equally essential. Therapy homework helps you better define your issues, breaking down your life goals into manageable concrete steps. If you find yourself avoiding, forgetting or simply not prioritizing your homework, don’t worry. Therapy isn’t school. You won’t “get in trouble.” Simply share your motivational challenges with your therapist and he or she can help you troubleshoot.

4. Stay open.

Sometimes people come to therapy with a clear, preconceived idea about their issues. They may feel they have a drinking problem, a cheating problem, a career issue, a social anxiety issue, etc., etc. This is a great place to start. However, part of what makes the counseling process effective is the open-ended nature of the work. Resolving your drinking problem, for example, may be as much about resolving unfinished business with your family as it is learning strategies to drink less. The willingness to openly explore various aspects of your life–even, or especially, those that seem unrelated to your presenting issue–can be profoundly beneficial to personal growth.

Filed Under: About Us, Articles, Blog, Common Issues, Education, Inspiration, Newsletter, Therapy Styles Tagged With: counseling, psychologist, therapist, therapy

About James Robbins, M.A., LPC

James Robbins is a licensed professional counselor, published author and co-owner of Dallas Whole Life Counseling. He has over 15 years of experience helping people in various life stages that come from a wide variety of cultural, economic and family backgrounds. Learn more about his background by clicking here.

Search the Site

Latest Blog Posts

  • Practicing Vulnerability in Your Relationships
  • What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
  • Using Distraction as an Avoidance of Emotion
  • Tips for Managing Daily Activities while Struggling with Depression
  • Friendships: How to manage your boundaries and enjoy them more!

Contact Us

Admin Offices
Dallas Galleria Tower One
13355 Noel Road
Suite 1100
Dallas, Texas 75240

Virtual Sessions
Licensed phone and video sessions are available throughout Texas by appointment.

Phone & Email
‪(972) 755-0996‬
contact@dallaswholelife.com

Office Hours
Mondays: 9:00AM – 8:00 PM
Tuesdays: 9:00AM – 8:00 PM
Wednesdays: 9:00AM – 8:00 PM
Thursdays: 9:00AM – 8:00 PM
Fridays: 9:00AM – 5:00 PM
Saturdays: 9:00AM – 5:00 PM
Sundays: Closed

Common Issues

  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Couples Counseling
  • Physical Intimacy Issues
  • Panic
  • Senior Issues
  • Child & Adolescent
  • Christian Counseling
  • Career Coaching
  • Life Coaching
  • Social Anxiety
  • EMDR
  • Family Issues
  • Grief Counseling
  • Weight & Fitness
  • Eating Disorders
  • Chronic Pain
  • Medical Issues

Office Hours

Main Office: (972) 755-0996
Mondays: 9:00AM – 8:00 PM
Tuesdays: 9:00AM – 8:00 PM
Wednesdays: 9:00AM – 8:00 PM
Thursdays: 9:00AM – 8:00 PM
Fridays: 9:00AM – 5:00 PM
Saturdays: 9:00AM – 5:00 PM
Sundays: Closed

Location

Dallas Galleria Tower One
13355 Noel Road, Suite 1100
Dallas, Texas 75240
*Licensed phone and video sessions available in Texas.

Follow Us

Contact Us

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Dallas Whole Life Counseling | 6380 Lyndon B Johnson Fwy., Suite 299 | Dallas, TX 75240 | (972) 755-0996Copyright © 2023. All Rights Reserved. Website by Rokkit Marketing.