How do you know therapy works?

In the short-term, how did you feel before the session, and how do you feel after? Sometimes people feel a bit worse after a session because issues are brought to the surface. But, most of the time I’m told that there is a sense of immediate relief. Thoughts and emotions were already taking a toll. Therapy offers a time and a place to investigate issues weighing on you and to reflect on how to change in a way that makes the most sense for you.

In the long-term you might realize that you are thinking about things in different ways. People might start reflecting that you seem calmer, happier, or just different in some way. Another interesting result of therapy can be that you find yourself spending your time in more healthy ways. Symptoms such as anxiety or sadness might be experienced, but you might notice they are far less intense and occur less often.

How do you feel as therapy progresses?