Dear reader,
If you’ve ever walked into a therapy session wondering, “Is this supposed to feel like progress?” – you’re not alone.
Healing in therapy isn’t linear. It’s not a checklist, a quick fix, or a perfectly plotted journey. It’s layered. It’s emotional. And sometimes, it’s downright confusing.
Let’s talk honestly about what therapy feels like – especially the parts no one prepares you for.
You Don’t Need to “Do Therapy Right”
Therapy isn’t a performance. You don’t need to show up with perfect insights or polished emotions.
Some days you’ll leave a counseling session feeling lighter. Other days, you’ll feel cracked open. That doesn’t mean you’re failing – it means you’re feeling. And feeling is brave.
Some Days You’ll Want to Quit
There may be moments when you think, “This hurts too much.” That’s normal.
Healing in therapy asks you to face the parts of yourself you’ve tucked away for years. It’s uncomfortable. But discomfort doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong – it often means you’re finally touching the truth.
Old Wounds Will Resurface
You might cry over something that happened a decade ago.
You might feel numb the next week. Or angry. Or confused.
This is part of the process. Therapy opens doors – not to trap you in the past, but to help you reclaim the pieces of yourself that got left behind.
Relapses Aren’t Failures
You’ll notice old habits creeping back in – people-pleasing, avoidance, perfectionism.
That doesn’t mean you’re back at square one. It means you’re aware. And awareness is progress. Every time you pause and choose differently, you’re rewriting your story.
This Is the Work. And It’s Worth It.
Healing in Therapy isn’t about “fixing” you – it’s about meeting yourself with honesty and compassion. At Empowering Optimism Therapy, we support clients through every stage of healing in therapy.
Over time, you’ll begin to:
- Set boundaries that protect your peace
- Grieve the parts of you that felt unseen
- Reconnect with your body and intuition
- Speak kindly to the voice in your head
- Choose actions that reflect your truth – not someone else’s expectations
You’re Still Healing—Even on the Hard Days
Especially on the hard days.
Healing doesn’t mean constant joy. It means showing up, feeling what’s real, and learning how to stay with yourself – even when it’s messy.
If you’re in the thick of it right now, keep going.
You’re not broken. You’re becoming.
With love and grace,
Tammy | Empowering Optimism Therapy
