Today we have a blog post from one of our Master’s level interns, Hannah Wise, about debunking myths about therapy. She shares helpful information regarding the process of therapy.
Hannah feels a drive to help others reconnect with themselves and their bodies through mutual empathy, authenticity, and vulnerability.
She values the therapeutic relationship and sees it as a vehicle to deliver connection and healing. By creating a collaborative environment with clients, Hannah establishes a safe space for recovery and realignment.
Hannah believes that all bodies are beautiful and worthy. By reconnecting and honoring their bodies, clients can pull from internal strengths and skills to tackle the challenges and trials of everyday life. Hannah is honored and excited to walk along this journey of healing with her clients.
Things I Wish People Knew About Therapy
Let me start by saying this: I understand. It can be scary and feel vulnerable to decide to go to therapy. Beginning a therapeutic journey comes with a lot of uncertainty, and it can be intimidating to share parts of yourself with someone who, at first, is a stranger. You may feel vulnerable, unsure, or even skeptical about being in the room with a therapist, and it is valid to feel this way. If you have been curious about therapy but perhaps feel hesitant to take the leap, I want to share a few things I want everyone to know about therapy.
You Do Not Have To Be In a Crisis
One of the biggest misconceptions I hear is “I can handle everything on my own, so I do not need therapy.” While it is true that you likely can handle everything on your own and have survived everything you have been through; it does not mean you have to or you should. We all need systems of support, even when we are not in a state of mental crisis or emergency. Therapy is wonderful for the in-betweens in life where we usually live: the subthreshold of anxiety, the relationship patterns you find yourself stuck in, and the sense that you have gotten away from your core self, but are not sure how to return to alignment.
In fact, some of the most transformative therapeutic shifts happen when clients come in before they have reached mental, physical, and emotional burnout. Therapists that use evidence-based practices can provide reframing for your thoughts, insight, practical skills, and empathetic validation that you cannot find or experience through a quick Google search or a heart to heart with a friend.
If you are curious about starting therapy even though you are unsure if your presenting concerns are “big” enough, I encourage you to commit to 3-5 sessions of therapy to see how it may benefit you. It is important to come into those sessions with an open mind. You may be surprised at just how valuable you find the experience.
You Do Not Have To Tell Your Whole Story In The First Session
As a therapist, I want to know my client’s stories. I want to know what made them finally make an appointment and come to my office. However, I recognize that I am a stranger to all my new clients, and I must earn their trust to hear their innermost thoughts and feelings. This requires a strong therapeutic relationship, which can take a few sessions to build. Essentially, I am ready to hear your story when you feel safe enough to share it. This doesn’t mean that I will not ask hard questions or encourage your vulnerability; however, the pace in which you reveal yourself is ultimately up to you. The therapeutic journey is meant to unfold across months to years, so I don’t expect to hear your whole story in your first session. I will learn everything in due time.
Therapy Is Hard Work
While it is true that therapy can be comforting, validating, and supportive, it also requires sitting in discomfort, untangling old beliefs that no longer serve you, and confronting maladaptive behaviors. Therapy may feel painful, but it is valuable because therapeutic change usually lives on the other side of growth and humility. Luckily, you do not have to confront these challenges alone since it is the therapist’s role to collaborate with the client to create therapeutic goals and conquer them over time.
If you would like to learn more about therapy or what it’s like to start the therapeutic process, I recommend reading Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, Her Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed by Lori Gottlieb. In this memoir, Gottlieb gives a window into what therapy is like both from the perspective of her clients as well as her own personal journey into therapy. By offering insights into the therapeutic process, she explores the universal search for connection and meaning.
Finally, I want to leave you with an affirmation: “I am worthy of support and care.”
You got this!
Hannah
We hope you found Hannah’s insights on therapy helpful. If her message resonated with you, this could be the perfect time to take meaningful steps towards your healing and peace. To initiate your work with Hannah, please feel free to call our office at 615.510.3797 or click here to learn more.
