Assessing Whether Therapy is Going Well: Optimism, Emotional Resonance, and Progression

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To determine if a therapy or coaching session was beneficial, there are three key factors to consider. Firstly, having optimism or hope that you will achieve what you want. Secondly, experiencing emotional resonance, whether it be surprising or cathartic. Lastly, having reasonable expectations and allowing for progress over time. These factors help gauge the effectiveness of the session and guide individuals in their relationships with therapists or mentors.

Tee welcomes to the show Damon Sasi, a Marriage and Family Therapist and co-host of the Rationally Writing podcast.

Two primary questions structure the episode, 1) how do you know whether a coaching or therapy relationship is going well? and 2) how much does it make sense to pay for coaching or therapy?

Damon & Tee discuss similarities and differences between coaching and therapy (38:15), conceptions of what high-skilled coaching and high-skilled therapy look like (46:52), and questioning the assumption "high-priced therapist/coach = better therapist/coach" (1:32:15).

Spicier parts of the episode include what makes for a bad therapist (51:24), how therapists could be doing CBT wrong (56:47), and how being a fully booked and busy coach could be a signal of stunted growth (1:33:52).

References mentioned in the show:

– Rationally Writing podcast (Damon Sasi & Alexander Wales)
– "Bad Therapist" blog post by Damon Sasi

– "Philosophy of Therapy" blog post by Damon Sasi

– "Why does psychotherapy work (when it works at all)?" Clearer Thinking Podcast with Scott Miller
– "Why you can't find a therapist, no really" by Sidrea