Therapy: What is Therapy?

Therapy: What is Therapy?

🧠 Structure of a Typical Therapy Session

Check-In

The therapist may start by asking how you’ve been since the last session.
You might discuss any significant events, thoughts, or feelings that have come up.

Setting the Focus

You and the therapist may agree on a topic or goal for the session.
This could be a specific issue, emotion, or behaviour you want to explore.

Exploration and Discussion

You talk through your thoughts, feelings, and experiences.
The therapist may ask questions to help you reflect, challenge patterns, or gain insight.
Techniques may be used depending on the therapy type (e.g., CBT, DBT, psychodynamic, person-centred).

Skill Building or Strategy Work

In some therapies, you might learn coping strategies, mindfulness techniques, or communication skills.
You may practice these in session or be given exercises to try between sessions.

Review and Wrap-Up

The therapist may summarize key points or insights.
You might discuss how you felt during the session and set goals or intentions for the week ahead.

🧰 Therapist’s Role

They provide a safe, non-judgmental space.
They guide the conversation but let you lead where possible.
They may offer interpretations, reflections, or psychoeducation.

🧭 Client’s Role

You’re encouraged to be open and honest.
You can share as much or as little as you feel comfortable.
You can ask questions or express concerns about the process.

At Addiction Counselling Sussex, working with myself I work closely with people affected by Addiction either directly or family and friends effected.
In my role I work as a Addictions counsellor, I also am a Qualified Mental health Nurse which means I support individuals who are dealing with both mental health challenges and substance misuse. In my work I aim to understand each person’s needs and helping them to explore the right path to recovery—whether that’s through counselling, harm reduction, or ongoing support. In my work at Addiction Counselling Sussex I offer a free initial assessment and information for people to understand or make a decision if this support is right for them. If counselling is not what is needed now, I will endeavour to sign post you to the right service. Please get in touch if this is to book an assessment or need more information.

Thank you

James