COMMON THERAPY TERMS & WHAT THEY REALLY MEAN

Are you always googling words after your therapy sessions? Therapy has a specific language that can sometimes be inaccessible and confusing as you first enter the mental health space.

Therapy, whether it's psychotherapy, counseling, or another form, often involves a unique  language that can be unfamiliar to those who haven't experienced it before. It can be frustrating to not know what your therapist is talking about, and it can even be a barrier to getting the help you need. Please do not be afraid to ask your therapist questions to help you feel more comfortable in the process! We are here to help however we can. Here are some common terms used in therapy and their meanings:

1. Therapist: A licensed professional who provides therapy or counseling services to individuals, couples, families, or groups. Therapists can have various titles depending on their training and credentials, such as psychologist, psychiatrist, counselor, social worker, or marriage and family therapist.

2. Client/Patient/Therapy Seeker: The person receiving therapy services. In some therapeutic approaches, the term "client" is used to denote a collaborative relationship between the therapist and the individual seeking help, while "patient" may imply a more medical or hierarchical relationship. In a decolonizing approach, the term “therapy seeker” is used to continue to challenge power differentials and emphasize that the individual knows their life best.

3. Counseling/Psychotherapy: These terms are often used interchangeably to describe the process of meeting with a therapist to explore, understand, and work through issues, emotional difficulties, or mental health concerns. Counseling typically focuses on specific issues or goals, while psychotherapy may involve a deeper exploration of emotions, thoughts, and patterns of behavior.

4. Session: A scheduled meeting between the therapist and the client/patient, usually lasting around 45 to 60 minutes, depending on limitations imposed by insurance companies. Sessions may occur weekly, biweekly, or with another frequency depending on the individual's needs and the therapeutic approach.

5. Confidentiality: A fundamental principle of therapy that ensures the privacy and protection of client/patient information shared during sessions. Therapists are legally and ethically bound to maintain confidentiality, with few exceptions such as when there is a risk of harm to the client/patient or others.

6. Informed Consent: The process by which therapists inform clients about the nature of therapy, including its benefits, risks, and limitations, as well as the therapist's credentials, fees, and policies. Clients are required to provide written consent before beginning therapy.

7. Transference: A phenomenon in which the client unconsciously transfers feelings, attitudes, and expectations from past relationships onto the therapist. Transference can provide valuable insight into the client’s internal world and relational patterns and is often explored and processed within therapy. The most stereotypical example is treating your female therapist like your mother.

9. Countertransference: The therapist's emotional reactions, biases, or unresolved issues that are triggered by the client and may influence the therapeutic relationship or process. Therapists work to recognize and manage countertransference to maintain objectivity and provide effective treatment. This is a problem for the therapist to manage, and makes us human!

10. Homework/Assignments: Tasks or activities assigned by the therapist for the client to complete between therapy sessions. Homework may include journaling, practicing coping skills, or implementing strategies discussed in therapy to promote progress and skill-building outside of session. Personally, I do not assign homework in between sessions because I believe our lives are stressful and busy enough.

11. Trauma: Emotional or psychological distress resulting from a deeply distressing or disturbing event or series of events. Trauma overwhelms our ability to cope, and  can have long-lasting effects on a person's mental health and well-being if left untreated. Additionally, it may require specialized therapy approaches, such as EMDR.

12. Empathy: The ability to understand and share the feelings of another person. Empathy is a fundamental aspect of the therapeutic relationship and is essential for building trust and rapport between the therapist and client.