There are two things that render therapy useless: missing appointments and dishonesty.

Knowing how people jeopardize therapy and learning what you can do instead, will ensure you get the most out of your experience at Recovatry.

Here’s what works

Intrinsic motivation is the fuel that powers personal transformation.

We see more success at our clinic with clients who have high levels of intrinsic motivation. They want to change because something inside them begs for a better version of themselves. They are humble and willing to acknowledge the challenges they face:

• Unresolved trauma
• Irrational beliefs
• Destructive habits
• Toxic relationships

Intrinsically motivated clients have the energy and commitment to do whatever it takes to see the process of transformation through to the end. They make success look easy.

Those with little motivation

People are often pressured into therapy by one of the following:

• Parents
• Partners
• Employers
• Courts

When asked what motivated them to come to therapy they say, “____ made me do it.”

External forces like their parents, partners, or probation officers tell them they need treatment for a conduct or mood disorder, but they’re not ready to change. This presents two major challenges in therapy:

• Missing appointments
• Dishonesty

No motivation, no problem

Imagine we had someone over for dinner and they weren’t hungry. Would they want to eat? Probably not, but if we wait until their stomach starts growling then they’ll be begging for a plate, right?

The same concept applies in therapy. People change when they’re ready, and not until then. There’s the old adage, “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.”

No, but you can sure make him thirsty.

Increasing motivation

There are evidence-based interventions, like motivational enhancement therapy and motivational interviewing, that increase commitment to change. They only work when clients are willing to be honest and show up regularly.

Without those two things, therapy just won’t work.