I think it really depends on each individual so here's a few things that are extremely important for it to indeed be effective :
• As long as you haven't found THE therapist for you : keep looking
- By that I mean : you need a safe and non judgmental space, for exemple do not settle for a therapist that is not neutral, do not settle for a therapist that you just don't feel comfortable with whether it is by their look or how they look at you/respond to you. You have to be completely comfortable to pour your heart out.
And in case cause this is important too, if into spirituality or part of the LGBTQI+ community or feel more comfortable with your peers as a POC : make sure to find the appropriate therapist for that.
• Remember that therapy is just > they provide questions for you to find the answer, 99% of the work is done outside of their office and by yourself so in other words if you don't do anything by yourself then nothing will be acquired and you are just going to vent once in a while without anything changing.
• Have a diary : sometimes there is stuff you can remember or want to talk with your therapist but the next session is in a few days then for that keep note of those things.
But not only this keeping track of yourself and any type of change or accomplishment is always a good thing.
• If you don't feel like going, it's okay, no need to stress yourself over it.
• Don't hesitate to call the emergency number they give you if you ever feel the need to, if they gave you this it's for a reason so no you're not bothering them in their own job, like they get payed for that.
• Make sure to know the difference between : psychologist and psychiatrist ! If you don't want any prescriptions pills then don't go for a psychiatrist, which I wouldn't recommend except if of course someone actually need it to protect themselves and people around them like schizophrenia or any other psychotic disorder, otherwise you're not working on yourself but just denying all healing and escaping so nothing will change from that.
And I think that's all I learned from being on and off of therapy for 10 years.