Getting the Most Out of Your Therapy Session
Therapy is a journey where you're the driver. To make the most of your therapy session, here are some simple yet powerful tips:
Pregame with Movement
Research indicates that getting 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise shortly before your therapy session may prime your brain and body for therapy [Source].
If you’re doing therapy in person, that could look like swinging by Climb Kraft or going for a brisk walk at a nearby park or cemetery before your session.
If you’re doing therapy online, you could walk in your neighborhood or do some at-home yoga, or whatever else might be interesting to you.
Turn Off Distractions
You’ve set this time aside to work on your healing and growth. Give yourself permission to really be present by reducing distractions.
Set your devices to “Do Not Disturb”. Let people who need to know that you’ll be unavailable for the duration of your session.
If you’re meeting online, close other tabs and have a care plan for the other beings in your home (such as fur babies, human babies, etc).
Set Clear Goals
Before each session, take a moment to reflect on what you'd like to achieve. You might ask yourself, “How do I want to feel different after this session?”
For example:
I want to feel less triggered about my car accident [or other trauma].
I want to feel more confident about standing up for myself with my parents.
I want to have a better idea of what I want, and I want to truly believe that it’s ok for me to have wants and desires.
I want to feel more connected to my body
My anxiety’s been getting bad - I want to feel calmer and able to enjoy downtime.
You might also ask “Were there any unfinished pieces from my last session?”
I’ll have ideas to help you form a goal, but either way, setting clear goals helps us focus on what’s most important to you.
Open Communication
I’m here to help, but I can't read your mind. Be open and honest about your thoughts and feelings, including when something in therapy feels off or unhelpful.
When you do somatic therapy, you don’t have to share details about your trauma or the thing you’re working on. However, your openness about the therapy process itself will help me better support you in your healing.
Reflect Afterward
The changes and insights you gain during therapy can be like precious seeds. Give yourself time after the session to reflect and nurture those seeds. What would you like to carry forward with you into your daily life?
You might record a voice memo, journal, make a piece of art, or do some movement.
Therapy is a space for growth and healing, and it's most effective when you actively engage with the process. Remember, I’m here to support you, but you hold the keys to your own healing and growth.
This blog post does not establish a client-therapist relationship.
Interested in how affirming somatic therapy can support you? Contact me to set up a consultation or 90-minute session!
