Get the Most Out of Your Therapy Session: Navigating Mental Blocks in Therapy with Free PDF Included
Have you ever found yourself in a therapy session, only to draw a blank when your therapist asks, "How are you feeling today?" or "What's been on your mind lately?" As a therapist that goes to therapy, I’ve been there before, too. Those moments can be daunting, can't they?
Why do mental blocks pop up in the first place?
Mental blocks can arise in therapy for various reasons, reflecting the complex interplay of psychological, physiological, and interpersonal factors. Understanding the neuroscience behind why our minds sometimes freeze in therapy can be helpful for overcoming these moments in therapy:
Amygdala Activation: When we explore tough emotions, our brain's emotional center (the amygdala) kicks into gear, sometimes causing a freeze-up! It's our brain's way of protecting us, but it can make it hard to put feelings into words.
Prefrontal Cortex Pause: Stress and strong emotions can temporarily pause our thinking brain (the prefrontal cortex), which handles logic and communication. This can make it challenging to express ourselves clearly in therapy.
Neurochemical Shifts: Fluctuations in neurotransmitters, influenced by stress hormones like cortisol, can affect how our brain processes information and emotions. These shifts can create barriers to clear thinking and expression during therapy.
Emotional Intensity: Exploring deep-seated emotions or traumatic experiences can overwhelm our cognitive processes. This emotional intensity makes it challenging to articulate thoughts clearly.
Defense Mechanisms: Our minds employ protective mechanisms when faced with threatening topics in therapy, such as repression or denial. These defenses may create mental blocks to shield us from distressing emotions or memories.
Fear of Judgment or Rejection: The fear of being misunderstood or judged by the therapist can create psychological barriers, hindering honest communication and causing mental blocks.
Tips on overcoming mental blocks in therapy
Use Preparation Tools: Utilize resources like journaling or the "What Would You Like to Explore in Therapy Today?" PDF guide to organize your thoughts before sessions. This can help structure your discussions and alleviate mental blocks.
Take Breaks When Needed: If you feel overwhelmed or blocked during a session, it's okay to ask for a break. Taking a few moments to breathe or collect your thoughts can help you regain focus and clarity.
Explore Defense Mechanisms: Work with your therapist to explore any defense mechanisms that may be contributing to mental blocks. Understanding and addressing these defenses can promote emotional openness.
Recognize Triggers: Identify what triggers your mental blocks in therapy. Is it certain topics, emotions, or situations? Awareness helps you anticipate and prepare for these moments.
Start Small: Allow your therapist to check-in with you about surface-level events over the past week, such as work or daily activities. This can help ease into deeper discussions and gradually build comfort in expressing more personal thoughts and emotions. I love when my therapist starts by asking me questions to get me warmed up and talking!
My free PDF guide titled "What Would You Like to Explore in Therapy Today?" is available now for you to download and use in your own therapy sessions. This guide is designed to empower you before each session by helping you reflect on your thoughts, emotions, needs, and goals!
Wanting to find out more about the work that I do in art therapy sessions? Head on over to my Art Therapy webpage! Ready to learn more about how to begin art therapy? Fill out my contact form here!
Kristy Leone, LCPC, LCPAT, ATR-BC
Founder and Art Therapist of Labyrinth Art and Wellness, LLC
