Therapists are trained to be attentive and perceptive to various verbal and non-verbal cues during therapy sessions. While they may not always know if you are lying outright, they often have ways of recognizing inconsistencies or discrepancies in what you say or how you present yourself.
Here are some reasons why therapists might have insights into whether you are being truthful or not:
Non-Verbal Cues: Therapists pay attention to non-verbal cues such as body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice. Incongruence between verbal and non-verbal cues can sometimes indicate that a client is not being entirely truthful.
Inconsistent Stories: If a client tells different versions of the same story or their narrative changes significantly from one session to another, therapists might notice and inquire about the discrepancies.
Avoidance: When clients avoid certain topics or become resistant to exploring specific issues, it may indicate that they are withholding information or not being entirely honest.
Gut Feeling: Experienced therapists often develop a strong intuition or gut feeling about their clients, which can alert them to potential dishonesty or evasion.
Emotional Expression: Emotional reactions that seem incongruent with the information provided may raise suspicions for therapists. For instance, a client discussing a significant event without showing any emotional response might signal that something is being held back.
Reacting to Therapist's Observations: If the therapist makes an observation or asks a probing question that feels uncomfortable for the client, they might respond defensively or avoid answering truthfully.
Past Patterns: If a therapist has been working with a client for some time, they may become familiar with the client's patterns of communication and notice when something seems off.
It is essential to remember that therapy is a safe and non-judgmental space. Therapists are there to help and support you, regardless of whether you are entirely honest from the beginning. If you find it challenging to be completely open, it's okay to share your concerns or hesitations with your therapist. Being honest about your feelings regarding honesty can actually be a valuable point to explore together in therapy.
Building trust in the therapeutic relationship takes time, and therapists understand that clients may initially have reservations about being fully open. As the therapeutic bond strengthens and trust deepens, clients often feel more comfortable sharing their thoughts and emotions authentically. Remember, therapists are trained to handle these situations with empathy and understanding and will work with you at your own pace.