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Defining Clear Targets: How Therapy Can Help You Reach Your Goals

Writer's picture: Paul OlanderPaul Olander

Once we've laid the foundation of an open connection in therapy, our next crucial step is to define clear targets. Just as a traveler requires a destination to navigate their journey, therapy also requires setting goals to guide the healing process. Clear targets in therapy are the specific objectives we aim to achieve. They are the changes you wish to see in yourself, the new patterns of thought and behavior you intend to adopt, and the emotional states you desire to experience more fully.


Every person's targets are unique, reflecting their personal history, struggles, aspirations, and strengths they bring to therapy. For some, the goal might be to reduce anxiety and learn to manage stress effectively, while for others it might be to heal from past traumas, improve relationships, or break free from destructive patterns of behavior. These targets are not just vague wishes or generalized hopes, but rather are clear and measurable goals that are aligned with values and identity and give direction to our therapy.


Defining clear targets is a collaborative process. As your therapist, I can provide guidance and expertise while you are the expert about your own life experiences and intentions. Insight and honesty are essential in setting targets that are meaningful and attainable for you, and as therapy progresses, targeted goals can evolve and change.


The benefits of defining clear targets in therapy are several: first, having clear targets provides direction and focus while experiencing the feelings, memories and meanings that can arise during therapeutic discovery; second, clear targets make it possible to measure progress, giving tangible benchmarks against which we can measure what has been accomplished and what still needs additional work; finally, defining clear targets fosters a sense of empowerment, reinforcing that therapy is not a passive intellectual exercise but rather is an active experience. By setting and working towards your own goals, you take control of your mental health and personal growth.


In conclusion, defining clear targets is a critical step in therapy that paves the way for meaningful change. As we navigate and experience therapy together, these targets will serve as our compass, guiding us towards the growth and healing we seek. Remember that you have the power and responsibility to choose where you want therapy to go and that by defining clear targets, you set the course for your own transformation. As your therapist, I intend to be fully present to guide and support you as you start moving towards your chosen targeted goals.



Contact me to book a session:


Email: paul.olander@comcast.net


Telephone: 404 - 276 - 0034


Website: www.paulolander.com

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