It’s the New Year and oftentimes new beginnings welcome the opportunity for self-reflection. As you begin 2025, you may be taking stock of your life; ask yourself where you want to grow and change, reflect on practices that you are proud of, and look toward your future. Therapy can be a great place to embark upon this journey. Whether you are new to therapy, returning to therapy, or in need of inspiration for your 2025 sessions, here are some things to talk about in therapy that can help you reach your 2025 goals.
- How are my relationships? Take a moment to reflect on your relationships. I like to break it down into subcategories, including friendships, family, romantic relationships, and working relationships. All may carry a certain amount of value to you and they do not need to be equal. First, I encourage you to think about which ones you value the most and ask yourself how you show up for each. For example, let’s say you value your family relationships the most. How do you show that in your day-to-day life? Would your family members say that they feel loved and supported by you? What are you most proud of in these relationships and where do you feel challenged? Next, I like to take a look at relationships as whole. Perhaps you feel really connected with your family but feel a distance in your work relationships. Where did this imbalance come from? Does it cause you distress? And what are small ways to start to shift the dynamics? All of these questions can lead to deep self-reflection and exploration. You can spend many fruitful sessions in therapy really diving into your relationships and where you want to take them in 2025.
- What are my values? And how do I live these values? This can be a very empowering question. Many therapists can help you dive deep into values. Personally, I use techniques from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Once you identify what your deepest values are, you can then begin to analyze if your daily behaviors align. For example, let’s say you value health. Do you practice healthy movement, mindful eating, regular rest and sleep? Look at your behaviors everyday and ask if they are aligned with what you believe in and where you want to be. If not, what is causing that disconnect and how can you begin to adjust it? Values are a great thing to talk about in therapy.
- How do I practice self-care? I find that self-care is often a buzzword used in the wellness industry without a lot of knowledge or practical implementation. Exploring the different ways that you practice self-care is good for not only mental health but physical health. You will find yourself simultaneously more productive and more restful when you actively practice self-care. Check out our previous blog on How to Actually Practice Self-Care for more guidance.
- What are my future goals? This is a great question at the start of the new year. Many people set resolutions, but I prefer reflections. Forward thinking can have a tremendous benefit on your mental health as it can lead to both motivation and hope. Imagine yourself one year from now and ask yourself where you want to be. You may want to feel calm and at peace, you may want to feel healthier in mind and body, you may want a new job, or you may want deeper relationships. Whatever you imagine for 2026, it begins in 2025.
- What am I avoiding? Now, this one only you can answer but I want you to sit with that question for a minute. Most people are avoiding something, whether it’s an important conversation, a change in their lifestyle, or a topic within their past, we all hold onto difficult matters. The irony is, oftentimes when we face what we avoid, the power it has over us will loosen its grip. I know it can be scary and that is where therapy can help. Peeling back the initial layers of avoidance can open you up and begin to free you. If you are considering what things to talk about in therapy, avoidance is sometimes the best place to start.
Stepping into 2025, I hope that these topics help inspire you during your next therapy session. And if you are new to this space, reach out to us! We’d be happy to talk about how therapy can help you and your goals for this coming year.
