The journey to recovery from addiction is never an easy one. If you have ever run a race, you know you must pace yourself and slow down and speed up at different times. The same goes for addiction recovery. Recovery is going to have its ups and downs. If you do not implement a specific pace, or you move at a pace that's not working for you, there's more risk of you going back to old patterns. Learning about how to set a good pace in recovery is a great first step to making it last.
Therapeutic pace is the determinant of what each client who attends therapy needs for their ideal rate of growth. You don't want to push yourself too fast and end up getting stressed, but at the same time, you don't want to go at a pace that drags and makes you feel you're not getting anywhere. Living a healthier lifestyle requires dedication and determination, but it does not mean that it needs to happen overnight.
During treatment, you begin a conversation with your therapist and develop a relationship over time. At the beginning of therapy, some individuals are uncomfortable expressing emotions or talking about circumstances that led them there. Counselors will work with you to address your emotions and trauma over time.
This means that they will work with the proper flow that fits you and your lifestyle. If you’re uncomfortable at first, the therapist is not to push you to get on the informational wants but rather work with you to build a relationship, so there is no hostile buildup or distrust. A qualified therapist understands that working at a pace unique to each individual will get the best results, so they spend a good amount of time getting to know you and determining what the best pace is for you.
Once the therapist builds and establishes a connection with you, they will progress forward at the pace that best fits you. Some individuals tend to move quicker than others; some need a more gentle pace. That's the point of having a personal therapist who can assess your needs. They work with you and learn how much time you need to process feelings and past events before there is true healing.
Gaining insights on the past issues and how to move forward in addiction recovery takes hard work and patience that is difficult to find when the challenge is hard to overcome. Good therapists can adjust the therapeutic pace at any time in either direction depending on if you are getting stuck on something and need more time or if things are going easier than anticipated.
When an individual starts to open up and trust the therapist, the professional will facilitate a period of reflection to help the individual process the information. This means that the therapist will connect with and more deeply understand the client for further help. Therapy sessions work with pace by allowing time for de-escalation and mindset development.
Therapy is a time where individuals can reflect on their lifestyles and actions and find the means to grow and develop. If you're struggling with deeply private thoughts or difficult scenarios in your life, it can be hard to open up. This is why a therapist will build confidence first so that you feel comfortable expressing your inner world to your therapist.
Over time you'll find you can trust your therapist and know that the information shared is confidential. In addition, once the information is shared and worked through with the therapist, you'll have the tools and the words to work through similar things on your own later.
Therapy is an excellent way to help the individual and the counselor work together in a safe and comfortable environment that builds mutual understanding and agreement. Individuals may be hesitant to share information because they have previously been disrespected or belittled or because someone didn't take the time to fully understand them. Your therapist can build your trust through pacing by ensuring they give you enough time to fully express yourself, to understand exactly what you're saying, and to fully work through the issue. Rushing this process can lead to damaged trust or incomplete healing.
Counselors will talk about different techniques you can learn, such as breathing, meditation, aromatherapy, or exercise, to help you connect with your emotions and pace yourself through addiction recovery. Therapy instills confidence to address overwhelming challenges, thoughts, and feelings that you may have had previously. Addiction recovery therapy allows individuals to move past hurtful experiences at a pace that is best and safest for them.
It is essential for you to feel comfortable with your counselor while navigating the process and communicating your concerns or questions. Finding a good therapeutic pace provides you the right amount of time to build confidence in your therapist and work through your struggles. At NorthStar Transitions, we can build a healthy relationship with you in every therapy session. Our team wants to build a compassionate and caring therapeutic pace to have a safe environment to express your mind with someone you trust. NorthStar Transitions’ therapists will be honest with you and address any doubts or questions you have in a friendly and peaceful fashion. Your counselor will take the time to understand your struggles to get you through addiction recovery. If you want to learn more about how NorthStar Transitions builds a quality and individualized therapeutic pace for all clients, we are here for you. Contact us for more information at (303) 558-6400.
