You’re in good company.
People are often curious about how therapists decide to become therapists. For me, becoming a therapist felt less like a career and more like a calling. Like many of you, I have walked through some hard seasons in my life, and in many ways, these experiences have shaped how I show up as a therapist on the other side of the room. I’d love to share a little about my story and 3 of my biggest takeaways. Let’s dive in!
It can be incredibly difficult to ask for help – As a therapist, I deeply empathize with anyone who finds it difficult to ask for help. When I look back on some of the most overwhelming moments in my life, I am struck by how little I opened up about how I was feeling. If you asked how I was doing, you would have been met with an “I’m fine,” or an “it’s all good,” as I made my way across campus to class or tennis practice. Over time, I learned (and re-learned) the importance of giving voice to my experiences, and I get so excited when clients begin to do this brave work, too.
The only way out is through – Have you ever heard someone say “you can’t heal what you don’t feel?” For a long time, that was the name of my game. I felt stuck and was pretty proficient at avoiding what I needed most. This part of my story has given me a great passion for helping others find healthier and more empowering ways to relate to their emotions and experiences. As emotions are given the space that they deserve and need, it’s really powerful to see the resilience, healing, and growth that follows.
Relationships, while often a big part of the struggle, are a profound part of the healing – I’m talking about those relationships that feel like a good hug for the soul. Where you feel deeply known and cared for. Where you can show up and simply be. In the midst of the tough stuff, isn’t this what we all need?
When it comes to therapy, I believe this is what it’s all about. A relationship that is genuine, honest, and nonjudgmental. A space where you can allow yourself to show up fully, maybe for the first time. From here, I’m confident you can do the work you are wanting to do.
As someone who struggled to acknowledge what I was feeling and ask for help, I want to honor your pace in therapy and the courage it takes to get started. There’s truly no greater privilege than getting to walk alongside you as you move towards greater peace, clarity, and fulfillment in your life.
Your story matters.