Hey there, fellow seeker of mental wellness! Grab a cup of coffee (or herbal tea if that’s your thing) and let’s chat about something that might sound boring at first but is actually life-changing—testing in therapy.
Now, before you roll your eyes and mutter, “What is this, therapy or algebra class?” let me explain. Testing in therapy isn’t about trick questions or pop quizzes. Nope, it’s about making sure you’re actually getting better—not just smiling and nodding to make your therapist feel good. (Yeah, I know about that trick. We therapists aren’t as psychic as we like to think.)
Testing: My Secret Sauce for Supercharged Therapy
Let me tell you why testing is my not-so-secret weapon. Every session, I ask my clients to fill out a Brief Mood Survey before and after we meet. It takes about 30 seconds—faster than brewing your morning coffee! This little survey measures depression, anxiety, anger, and even how happy you’re feeling that day.
Now, you might be wondering, Why don’t you just ask me how I’m doing? Great question! Here’s the thing: When I ask, “How are you?” you might say, “I’m fine,” even if you’re secretly thinking, Life is a dumpster fire, and I am the raccoon picking through the ashes. Testing cuts through that and gives us a real, data-driven snapshot of your emotional health. Think of it as your emotional X-ray!
Therapists Are Not Mind Readers (Sorry, Freud)
Here’s a confession: therapists, myself included, are often terrible at guessing how you’re really feeling. Shocking, right? But research backs me up. In a study at Stanford, experts were asked to guess patients’ feelings after hours of interviews, and their accuracy was… wait for it… less than 10%! That’s worse than a dart-throwing monkey.
Without testing, I might think you’re crushing it because you laughed at my dumb joke, but in reality, you’re spiraling. Testing keeps me honest and keeps our sessions on track.
The Time I Thought I Was a Therapy Rockstar…
I’ll never forget one client—let’s call her “Emily.” After what I thought was the most epic, breakthrough session of my career, I handed Emily the post-session survey, expecting rave reviews. Guess what? She rated my empathy as zero. ZERO! (FYI, even Hitler could score a 7 on this scale.)
Turns out, I’d said something that unintentionally hurt her feelings. Without that feedback, I’d have walked away thinking I was the next Oprah of therapy. Instead, I got a reality check, apologized, and we cleared the air. That moment strengthened our relationship—and reminded me why testing is non-negotiable.
…And the Time I Thought I Was Bombing
Another client (let’s call him “Mike”) came into a session all guns blazing. I was convinced he hated my guts. But at the end of the session, his survey showed his depression had vanished, and he wrote, “This was the first time I’ve felt happiness in years. Thank you.” Talk about plot twists!
Why You Should Work with a Therapist Who Tests
Working with a therapist who tests their sessions is like going to a doctor who actually takes your temperature instead of just guessing, “Hmm, you look a little feverish.” Testing ensures your therapist knows when you’re improving—and when something isn’t working.
Here’s why testing is a game-changer:
- Real Progress, Not Guesswork: Testing shows if you’re moving the needle on your goals or stuck spinning your wheels.
- Tailored Therapy: Your feedback helps your therapist adjust their approach to better suit your needs.
- Honest Conversations: It’s easier to say, “That didn’t help,” on a survey than face-to-face. (We get it—confrontation is scary.)
Ask Your Therapist: “Do You even Test bro?”
If your therapist doesn’t use testing, don’t panic. Just ask! Say, “Hey, I heard testing can help track progress—do you use it?” If they say no, maybe they just haven’t tried it yet. (Or they think they’re psychic. They’re not. Trust me.)
Therapy is About You—Make it Count
Ultimately, therapy is about helping you live your best life. Testing is just one tool to make that happen. So, if you’re looking for a therapist, find someone who’s not afraid to ask, “How am I doing as your therapist?” Trust me, a little honesty goes a long way—and you deserve a therapist who’s willing to go the extra mile.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some surveys to score and some egos (mine) to keep in check. Here’s to data-driven therapy and making breakthroughs, one survey at a time!
Cheers,
Your Friendly Neighborhood TEAM-CBT Therapist
Soban