Understanding Deferred Life Syndrome

Article | Life

Deferred Life Syndrome is a psychological condition characterized by the postponement of living a fulfilling life until an unspecified future date. Individuals with this syndrome often plan to start living fully "when the time is right," usually after a period of prolonged uncertainty. This tendency to escape into dreams about a better future is a psychological defense mechanism—a way to alleviate stress and foster hope that life will improve.

Common Causes:

Low Self-Esteem: The belief that one is not yet worthy or capable of living a desired life.
Procrastination: A preference for immediate gratification and avoidance of discomfort, contrasting with Deferred Life Syndrome's focus on distant, long-term goals.
Life Circumstances: Factors such as work obligations, financial debts, and family responsibilities can contribute to the postponement of personal goals.

Overcoming Deferred Life Syndrome:

To break free from this syndrome, it's crucial to take ownership of your life and not attribute it to external circumstances. Here are actionable steps to help you live in the present:

Set Small, Achievable Goals: Begin with manageable objectives to initiate change.
Identify Recurring Delays: Recognize patterns in what you consistently defer.
Take Proactive Steps: Understand that waiting passively won't bring about the 'right' time.
Embrace the Present: Celebrate everyday moments instead of waiting for special occasions.

By accomplishing these smaller tasks, you'll gain the confidence to tackle more significant challenges, making it easier to live in the here and now.

Author: Mark Lisevych

17 March 2024

What are the benefits of a free consultation?

Getting to know the psychologist: You can talk to the psychologist to see if they are a good fit for you in terms of their work style, personality, and specialization.

Defining the problem: You can describe your problem in detail and get qualified advice from the psychologist, which will help you better understand the nature of your problem.

Developing a plan of action: You can get recommendations on how to solve your problem, which methods and approaches may be the most effective.

Feeling supported: You can get emotional support and feel that you are not alone, because the psychologist will listen to you attentively.

Who is a free consultation suitable for?

Those looking for a psychologist: A free consultation can help you make the right choice, as you can talk to several psychologists before making a final decision.

Those who are unsure whether they need psychotherapy: A free consultation can help you understand whether psychotherapy can help you solve your problem and whether it is right for you.

Those who have a limited budget: A free consultation is an opportunity to get qualified help from a psychologist for free, to see if you need further psychotherapy.

Those who may be nervous or hesitant to start psychotherapy: A free consultation gives you the opportunity to overcome your fear of the first meeting with a psychologist, get answers to your questions, and feel more confident.

Important:

A free consultation is not a substitute for psychotherapy.

In a free consultation, the psychologist cannot give you a final diagnosis or prescribe treatment.

The purpose of a free consultation is to help you determine if a psychologist and psychotherapy are right for you, and to give you the first steps to solving your problem.

Potential benefits of a free initial consultation

During this first session: potential clients have the chance to learn more about you and your approach before agreeing to work together.

Offering a free consultation will help you build trust with the client. It shows them that you want to give them a chance to make sure you are the right person to help them before they move forward. Additionally, you should also be confident that you can support your clients and that the client has problems that you can help them cope with. Also, you can avoid any ethical difficult situations about charging a client for a session in which you choose not to proceed based on fit.

We've found that people are more likely to proceed with therapy after a free consultation, as it lowers the barrier to starting the process. Many people starting therapy are apprehensive about the unknown, even if they've had sessions before. Our culture associates a "risk-free" mindset with free offers, helping people feel more comfortable during the initial conversation with a specialist.

It's important to note that the initial consultation differs from a typical therapy session:

It can last from 15 to 30 minutes, with the specialist determining the appropriate length for this introductory meeting.

The free initial consultation is not intended to be a full therapy session. It is an opportunity for the client to learn more about the specialist and their approach to therapy, and to decide whether they want to work together.

The specialist should set clear boundaries for the free initial consultation, including the length of the session and the topics that can be discussed.

The specialist should be prepared to answer questions from the client about their experience, training, and qualifications.

The specialist should not give specific advice or recommendations during the free initial consultation. This should be done during a paid session.