5 Totally Normal Things About Being In Therapy
Feeling uncomfortable: Not used to talking deeply about your feelings with a stranger? Congrats, you’re human. And this is brand new… take it slow & listen to your intuitions about connecting with your therapist (no part of therapy is one size fits all)
Getting angry with your therapist: good sign you might be getting somewhere you’re used to avoiding
Left some sessions feeling “worse”: When accessing previously forbidden arenas, your system could feel a little like having just gone through the washing machine. Find ways to “line dry” by nurturing the soul the rest of the day (try not to judge yourself if you need a nap) What you may be labeling as “worse”, might actually just mean that you successfully accessed painful emotions & need to recover.
Ps. go you
Not wanting to go: It’s natural for your system to resist an experience that felt emotionally threatening. Most of us don’t run toward fire to get burned again. It’s a slow process to build yourself anew
Life gets “harder”: Certain areas of life will likely “get harder” or increase in stress as you grow out of old patterns. This could mean you’re more emotional - as you learn to make more room for hard feelings & feel conflicted about it. This could mean your relationships get rockier - as you learn to set new boundaries and invite their growth as well. Growth is rarely smooth or linear, allow yourself some struggle through change.
*Disclaimer: Your intuition and your anxiety are different things. Do not continue working with a therapist that your intuition tells you you don’t connect with. Fit & trust of therapist are crucial pieces in being able to address the natural anxiety & discomfort that surfaces while doing the work.
Trust your gut.
