Therapeutic Session: Forming Healthy, Long-Lasting Relationships - Part 1

This episode is part one of a two-part episode, and it is a very special one in that it is Alison’s first time doing therapy on the podcast. Alison has been a therapist for over 30 years and owns several counseling centers. She provides ongoing training in the latest techniques for healing and recovery and trains each therapist in her centers to specialize in all areas of mental health and clinical technique.

Alison believes that people can change given the right tools, support, and empowerment. We are all capable and powerful enough to create the life of our dreams if given the right insight, awareness, and actionable guidance. The reason for these therapeutic sessions is so that you can be an onlooker observing someone else doing the work to change their life. Most of the principles of recovery, growth, and change can apply to lots of different circumstances, so you can take what you learn from the guest’s struggles and Alison’s insight to make changes in your own life. 

In this episode, Alison facilitates a therapeutic session with her guest, Michelle. Michelle came to Alison wanting to know how to form healthy, long-lasting relationships in her life. She recognized that there are patterns present in her relationships, but lacked the awareness of what is continuing to fuel those patterns. Alison helps Michelle understand herself by asking the right questions and bringing the truth to light. Tune in next week for part 2 of this session with Michelle.

Key highlights:

What to look for in a therapistWhat Michelle wants to change: forming healthy long-lasting relationshipsHow Michelle defines healthy relationshipsMichelle’s childhood as a sheltered only child, being bullied, and feeling lonelyHow bullying can affect us and lead to thoughts about ourselves that repeat throughout our livesHow Michelle’s last relationship ended and how it affected herWhy Michelle is constantly craving attention, affection, approval, and acceptanceRelationships show us how much we value ourselvesWe are all stuck in patterns that repeat, but they won't change unless we see it

Quote from the episode:

“We join other people in our brokenness, but it will never solve our brokenness.” - Alison

Connect with Alison:

Instagram: @alisonanswers | @lagercounseling

Website: LagerCounseling.com

YouTube: Alison Answers

Facebook: Alison Lager Lcsw Casac