If your partner is going to therapy, you may find yourself wondering how their therapy sessions are going, what they’re discussing with their therapist, whether they’ve talked about you, and how much progress they’re making.You may worry about whether your partner would appreciate your asking about their therapy sessions or whether they would consider it intrusive.
These are some factors that can play a role in determining whether or not it may be acceptable to ask your partner about their therapy sessions:
- Relationship duration: If you and your partner have been together for a long time, they may be more comfortable discussing their therapy sessions with you. On the other hand, if the two of you have recently started dating, it may be too soon to ask them about it.
- Emotional closeness: If you and your partner are very emotionally close and share everything, it may be all right to ask them about their therapy sessions.
- Reciprocity: If you regularly discuss your therapy sessions with your partner or if they have asked you about your sessions in the past, it could indicate that they’d be willing to discuss their therapy sessions with you.
You can support your partner, if they’re going to therapy;
- Ask how you can help: Ask your partner if there’s anything they need after their session. For instance, they may want some quiet time alone to process their thoughts and feelings. Or, they may need a distraction to help them feel better.
- Establish protocols: It may be helpful to ask your partner whether they are comfortable talking about their therapy sessions. If they are open to it, you can ask about their session each time they go to therapy. If they hint that they may not be, leave it alone and don’t pry. Respect their boundaries and let them choose what they would like to share with you.
- Be patient: Be understanding and accept that your partner may not want to share details from their session right away. Therapy can bring up a lot of difficult feelings and emotions.2 Be patient and give them the time and space they need to process their responses.
- Let them know you’re willing to listen: Let your partner know you are willing to listen if they ever want to share. Show them that you’re committed to supporting their mental health.
- Encourage the process: Committing to therapy can be challenging, so do what you can to support your loved one in their journey toward better mental health. Ask your partner if there’s anything you can do to help them achieve their treatment goals.
- Acknowledge their progress: If you notice improvements in your partner, mention it to them and compliment their progress. This can help reward their efforts and offer positive reinforcement that can motivate them.
- Be open to going to therapy: Be willing to seek your own therapy, go to your partner’s therapy sessions, or engage in couples therapy, if your partner’s therapist recommends it.
While you’re trying to figure out whether or not to ask your partner about their therapy sessions and how to show your support, it can be helpful to think about the situation in reverse. How would you like to be supported by your partner if you were the one going to therapy? How much would you be willing to share with your partner? Asking yourself these questions can help you determine the best way to approach this situation.
