Figuring out our personal goals for therapy
by Andres Carrion | July 2020
Life’s challenges can be overwhelming; everyone deserves a space to feel heard and supported. At Roamers Therapy, we provide trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, LGBTQIA+ affirming, and evidence-based environments to help you heal, grow, and navigate your mental well-being journey. As your psychotherapist, we are here to guide you every step of the way.
When we think about health, whether it be physical or mental health, we tend to focus on the things we don’t want. We go to the doctor because we’re sick, and we don’t want to feel sick or we go to the doctor because we don’t want to get sick. The same is true for mental health and therapy.
When we’re asked what we’re hoping to get out of therapy, for instance, we may say something like “I don’t want to feel depressed or anxious” or “I don’t want to fight so much with my partner.” These are really good goals to have in therapy, but they neglect a big part of therapy, which is the things we do want. These can be things like, “I want to feel more fulfilled,” “I want to enjoy life again,” or “I want to regain intimacy with my partner.” When we shift our focus from what we don’t want to what we do want, we also shift our expectations for therapy and the way we think about it.
It can be hard to know what we want out of therapy because of the way we’re taught to think about health. One tip is to take some time to reflect on what you want in life, what brings you joy, and what needs you have that are not being fulfilled. When you feel that you’re in a good place with your new goals, communicate them with your therapist. Therapists are able to work alongside you to achieve these goals to become the best version of yourself. This process is a journey that takes time, so as you take time to get to know yourself be compassionate with yourself.
Take away points:
- It’s great to know what you don’t want, but it’s equally important to know what you do want.
- Take some time to get to know yourself and reflect on what you need and want out of life. You know yourself best, so it’s important to prioritize yourself and your expectations.
- Once you have an idea of what you want in life and what needs are not being met, be sure to communicate these needs with your therapist. Your therapist can work with you to actualize these goals.
- Finally, be compassionate with yourself. Understanding what you want and need in life is a journey of self-discovery that takes time.
Reaching out:
Clients from the Chicagoland area may choose in-office or online therapy and usually commute from surrounding areas such as River North, West Loop, Gold Coast, Old Town, Lincoln Park, Lake View, Rogers Park, Logan Square, Pilsen, Bridgeport, Little Village, Bronzeville, South Shore, Hyde Park, Back of the Yards, Wicker Park, Bucktown and many more.
While our physical offices are located in South Loop and Lakeview neighborhoods in Chicago, Illinois for in-person sessions, we also welcome and serve clients for online therapy from anywhere in Illinois and Washington, D.C. Clients from the Chicagoland area may choose in-office or online therapy and usually commute from surrounding areas such as River North, West Loop, Gold Coast, Old Town, Lincoln Park, Lake View, Rogers Park, Logan Square, Pilsen, Bridgeport, Little Village, Bronzeville, South Shore, Hyde Park, Back of the Yards, Wicker Park, Bucktown and many more.
At Roamers Therapy, our psychotherapists are here to support you through anxiety, depression, trauma and relationship issues, race-ethnicity issues, LGBTQIA+ issues, ADHD, Autism, or any challenges you encounter. Our psychotherapists are trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Acceptance, and Commitment Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, and Gottman Therapy.
Whether you’re seeking guidance on a specific issue or need help navigating difficult emotions, we’re ready to assist you every step of the way.
Contact us today to learn more about our services and schedule a session with our mental health professionals to begin your healing journey. To get started with therapy, visit our booking page.
First, decide if you’ll be paying out-of-pocket or using insurance. If you’re a self-pay client, you can book directly through the “Book Now” page or fill out the “Self-Pay/Out-of-network Inquiry Form.” If you’re using insurance, fill out the “Insurance Verification Form” to receive details about your costs and availability. Please let us know your preferred therapist. If your preferred therapist isn’t available, you can join the waitlist by emailing us. Once your appointment is confirmed, you’ll receive intake documents to complete before your first session.
This page is also part of the Roamers Therapy Glossary; a collection of mental-health related definitions that are written by our therapists.
While our offices are currently located at the South Loop neighborhood of Downtown Chicago, Illinois, we also welcome and serve clients for online therapy from anywhere in Illinois and Washington, D.C. Clients from the Chicagoland area may choose in-office or online therapy and usually commute from surrounding areas such as River North, West Loop, Gold Coast, Old Town, Lincoln Park, Lake View, Rogers Park, Logan Square, Pilsen, Bridgeport, Little Village, Bronzeville, South Shore, Hyde Park, Back of the Yards, Wicker Park, Bucktown and many more. You can visit our contact page to access detailed information on our office location.