Therapy prompts for personal and professional goal setting
It can be easy to get so involved in the busyness of daily life that we lose sight of our long-term vision for ourselves. It can help to sit down and really think about what our values are, how we can apply them to live the way we want, and what we’re aiming to achieve in our personal and professional lives. Here are some prompts for therapy or for your favorite journaling techniques to get the conversation started regarding life goals:
Write a letter to your future self. What do you hope for them, and what do you see their life looking like?
What are three obstacles you face to living the way you want to? Brainstorm a few potential solutions to overcome each one.
Do you enjoy the work you do? What aspects of a job or career do you feel you’re missing?
What are your strengths when it comes to the workplace? How do they help you fulfill your job responsibilities?
How do your boss and colleagues show you that you’re valued at work? How do you wish they did?
What motivates you?
Write down three long-term goals for your life. How are they the same or different from the goals your past self had five years ago? 10 years ago?
Therapy prompts for self-acceptance
Although research suggests that self-compassion may help promote both physical and mental well-being, many people find it difficult to put into practice. If accepting yourself or practicing self-compassion is challenging for you, here are some prompts to help you direct your love inwardly:
What are the three aspects of your personality that you like best?
What part of your body do you think is the most beautiful? Why?
What is a kind thing that you can do for your body today?
What does “outside your comfort zone” mean to you? Talk about a time in your life when you stepped outside your comfort zone and how it shaped you, or brainstorm ways to do so now.
What are three limiting beliefs you feel get in the way of being your best self? Try to reframe these beliefs into empowering statements.
Therapy prompts to improve mental health and physical health
Establishing and maintaining healthy lifestyle patterns can be key to cultivating overall mental and physical health, from getting enough sleep to exercising regularly. If you’re looking to implement some of these habits into your regular routine, you might consider prompts like these for journal writing or therapy:
What is your ideal morning routine—one that makes you feel ready to take on the day?
What is your ideal evening routine—one that makes you feel relaxed and ready to get some sleep?
What are three hobbies or activities that make you feel fulfilled?
How do you prioritize self-care in your life?
What’s one small thing you can do every day to improve or support your physical health?
What’s one small thing you can do every day to improve or support your mental health?
Write down one or two barriers to the two previous answers and ways that you might remove or reduce them.
While therapy can be an effective treatment for many mental health conditions, it can offer lots of additional benefits as well. For many, it can be a safe space to feel heard and understood and gain greater self-awareness. It can be an opportunity to check in on yourself and your relationships in the present moment or to get perspective on your life. Evidence-based modalities like cognitive behavioral therapy can also offer tools and strategies to help you manage stress, improve communication, and improve life satisfaction.
If you’re not currently in therapy, speaking with a licensed provider could help you address areas of your life where you may need support or help you on the path of self-discovery. Or, if you’re looking to get a new perspective by working with a different therapist, you might explore online therapy. With a platform like BetterHelp, you can get matched with a licensed provider based on your answers to a brief questionnaire. Instead of being limited to the in-person therapists in your area, you’ll be able to connect with the right counselor for you regardless of location.
Research suggests that online therapy can be as effective as in-person sessions in many cases, but it allows more flexibility with scheduling and can be engaged in from the comfort of home. If you ever feel that you aren’t moving forward with your current BetterHelp provider, you can change therapists at no additional cost.
Takeaway
Learning about yourself and how to interact with the world around you can be a lifelong process. A therapist can help guide you on your journey to self-discovery. Using the therapy prompts listed here during your sessions or on your own as a journaling exercise may help you get to the heart of the matter and learn more about who you are.
The information on this page is not intended to be a substitution for diagnosis, treatment, or informed professional advice. You should not take any action or avoid taking any action without consulting with a qualified mental health professional. For more information, please read our terms of use.
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