Mental Health Support Burlington MA

Mental Health Support at Forrest BH: Overcoming Barriers Patients Create in Therapy

When people think about therapy, they often picture a calm professional who listens and helps. However, real therapy that leads to growth isn’t always easy. Sometimes, progress slows down not because the therapist lacks skills, but because patients unknowingly create obstacles in their own healing.

At Forrest BH in Burlington, MA, therapists know that these barriers aren’t signs of failure or defiance. They’re signs of fear, pain, and self-protection. Our team’s role is to gently help patients recognize these patterns and find the courage to move through them.

Why Patients Resist Help Even When They Want Therapy

It’s common for people to want to feel better but still struggle with therapy. This isn’t because they don’t care about their mental health; it’s because change is hard. Opening up about trauma, anxiety, or guilt can be terrifying.

At Forrest BH, our licensed therapists often see barriers like:

Avoidance

Patients cancel sessions, avoid certain topics, or say, “I’m fine,” even when they’re not.

Defensiveness

Some feel judged when asked about sensitive issues, even though therapy is a safe, nonjudgmental space.

Denial

A patient might minimize their symptoms, saying, “I’m just tired,” instead of acknowledging depression.

Fear of Dependence

Many worry that needing therapy means they’re weak or that they’ll rely too much on their therapist.

Anger or Mistrust

Especially in those who’ve been hurt before, trusting a new person with personal pain can feel risky.

Each barrier has an emotional reason behind it. Therapists at Forrest BH are trained to understand why these barriers exist, not just how to get rid of them.

Meeting Resistance with Compassion

Therapists face a unique challenge: they must guide patients through resistance without pushing too hard. At Forrest BH, our therapists work together with you because we believe that therapy is a joint effort, not something done to you.

They might say, “It sounds like that question made you uncomfortable. Can we talk about what came up for you?” This small moment of empathy can turn tension into trust.

The team’s experience in psychiatric evaluations also helps them identify when resistance might come from an undiagnosed condition like bipolar disorder, PTSD, or obsessive-compulsive disorder, each of which can influence how someone responds to therapy.

When Symptoms Create the Barriers

Sometimes, it’s not the person’s willpower that causes the problem; it’s the symptoms themselves. 

For example:

• Depression can make it hard to believe change is possible.
  
  
• Anxiety can make self-reflection feel overwhelming.
  
  
• Trauma can trigger emotional shutdown when painful memories surface.
  
  
• Personality disorders can make it difficult to trust others or handle confrontation.
  
  

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. lives with a mental illness, and many don’t receive consistent treatment due to internal or external barriers. 

Forrest BH’s goal is to bridge that gap by helping patients work with their minds, not against them.

Techniques Therapists Use at Forrest BH

Every patient brings their own story, and so, every treatment plan is personalized. The therapists in Burlington, MA, use a mix of clinical expertise and emotional intelligence to guide patients past their self-created roadblocks.

Some effective techniques include:

Motivational Interviewing (MI)

This gentle, conversational approach helps patients explore their ambivalence, the “I want to change, but I don’t know how” feeling. Therapists help patients find their own reasons to move forward instead of pushing them to make progress.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

By identifying and challenging distorted thoughts, like “I’m hopeless, therapy won’t help me,” patients learn to replace self-defeating beliefs with supportive ones.

Psychoeducation

Many patients feel better once they understand their condition. Our therapists explain why certain reactions happen. This helps patients recognize patterns rather than see problems.

Gradual Exposure

For those with trauma or anxiety, therapists may introduce difficult topics slowly, at a pace the patient feels safe with.

Empathic Confrontation

When avoidance or denial persists, therapists gently hold up a mirror, not to criticize, but to help patients see how their patterns hold them back.

Through these methods, Forrest BH helps patients understand their resistance and change it into personal growth.

Tips for Patients to Overcome Their Own Barriers in Therapy

If you’ve ever found yourself hesitating, holding back, or feeling stuck in therapy, you’re not alone. The truth is, progress starts when you become aware of your own patterns.

Here are a few ways to help yourself move forward: