Therapy sessions are a safe place where you can talk through difficult emotions, discover and eliminate troubling symptoms and improve your overall sense of well-being. The best way to achieve improved mental health is through goal setting. Like anything in life, it helps to have an idea of what you would like to achieve or see as a result of your time spent with a professional counselor.
What Are Therapy Goals and Objectives?
Therapy is only effective if you take charge and understand your part. Your counselor cannot fix you — only you can. Setting goals for therapy is accepting responsibility for your life and taking active steps to make a change.
Of course, goals vary from person to person. Your counselor will collaborate with you to create an individual plan that’s just right for your unique needs. As you set goals and decide what you hope to accomplish or experience, you’ll better understand what you’re working toward in therapy.
Common Counseling Goals and Examples
Therapy goals are meant to be challenging. After all, you can only see your life improve if you’re motivated to make changes. The most effective plans are built on specific, measurable and achievable goals.
The best goals focus on growth — not outcomes. With that in mind, here are some common examples of effective counseling goals.
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1. Changing Behaviors
Everyone has behaviors in their life that they’d like to change. Changing your behaviors requires determination and practice. Goal setting in therapy can help you stay on track with small, measurable objectives. Whether you want to quit bad habits, like smoking, or foster new, healthy behaviors, your therapist can collaborate with you on your journey.
2. Establishing and Maintaining Relationships
Relationships are the building blocks of community. If you find it difficult to make friends or sustain professional relationships, your counselor can help you develop actionable goals to grow in this area of your life.
3. Enhancing Your Ability to Cope
Whether you struggle with anxiety or you’re faced with an unexpected loss, the ability to cope and deal with difficult situations is crucial. Everyone has coping mechanisms. Your counselor will help you learn healthy strategies and identify coping devices that are not helping you.
4. Facilitating Decision-Making
Fear of making the wrong choice leaves many people incapacitated and in an unhealthy state of limbo. Your therapist can help you discover ways to become more decisive so that you can take charge of your life.
5. Development
Personal development is a lifelong process. During your counseling sessions, your therapist can help you assess your skills and qualities and consider your aim in life so that you can realize and maximize your inherent potential. Your personal development could be working to improve communication, problem-solving, adaptability or self-confidence.
Discover the Power of Goal Setting at Taylor Counseling Group
The therapeutic process is a tool that can lead to incredible transformation. Goal setting is an essential part of this process. At Taylor Counseling Group, we believe the counseling relationship is a collaborative one. Helping you understand your individual goals is as important as open, honest conversation. If you’re ready to make a change and grow, we want to help. Schedule your appointment at Taylor Counseling Group to learn more about goal setting within your individual counseling sessions.
