Taking Steps to Achieve Mental Health- Part 1- Gaining Insight

 "He who knows others is wise. He who knows himself is enlightened.”

-          Lao Tzu

We may begin mental health treatment having already identified a specific problem we want to address or looking for professional help in order to define an issue causing us distress.   Either way, once the issue is identified, the next step for all of us is to understand how we got to the place we are at.  If we do not have insight, we will most probably repeat the same behaviors, make the same choices, and stay ‘stuck’ in our lives. 

Here are some ways to achieve insight from the therapy process:

READ - We can obtain material related to the specific problem/issue, take notes, highlight relevant passages, and discuss this information in the therapy session.  We can search the internet.  There is bound to be an article, blog, or website that is helpful.  If non-fiction material does not appeal to us, we can search for biographical or autobiographical accounts that bring an issue up close and personal.  If we have difficulty concentrating, we can listen to a book on cd.

OBSERVE – We can watch films, plays, or television programs that address a specific issue and allow ourselves to react emotionally to what is happening.  It is important to release any feelings that are stirred either during or after the viewing. 

WRITE – We can keep a journal on the computer or in a notebook of any experiences, thoughts, feelings, and questions that arise in between therapy sessions, then bring the journal to sessions.  It might be helpful to make a notation in the margin for those parts that we wish to explore with our therapist.

SPEAK – We can talk about the past in therapy sessions and utilize those experiences as tools for personal growth.  Very often, patterns develop in our lives and we tend to react in the same way over and over, expecting a different outcome.  It is important to become aware of these patterns and to understand how/when they began.

Gaining insight into our inner selves can be emotionally challenging in the short-term, but there are long-term benefits- achieving honest and fulfilling relationships.

In the next chapter, we will explore ways to incorporate insight into our lives.