Yes. Yes. Yes.
I cannot say this enough. Absolutely. Commitment to psychotherapy, both to attending appointments, and during in therapy sessions is of the utmost importance.
If a client is not committed to therapy, the chances of getting the required results are slim to none.
In the case of a lack of commitment, the psychotherapy client should process the reasons why he or she is finding it difficult to commit to therapy. Often, less than enthusiastic clients will have entered therapy by an indirect route.
Perhaps they may have consulted a physician for headaches and stomach pains, only to be told that nothing was physically wrong with them.
Or an alcoholic spouse may have been told by their spouse that its therapy or divorce!
In such cases, the therapist may conduct motivational interviewing to help the client identify his or her commitment for change.
When a client is ready to make changes they are in the action stage. At this point the client would be highly motivated and would be demonstrating a readiness for change. He or she would also understand the importance of commitment to therapy.
