Got It All Together... Not
As a therapist, there’s a common misconception that we’ve got it all figured out, that we never feel stressed or anxious. But honestly, we still do. It’s not all sunshine and rainbows for us either. It’s a myth that, as therapists, we somehow float above the everyday struggles everyone else faces or have the answers to all of life’s challenges. But here’s the truth: we’re just like you. We’re human, with all the same imperfections, worries, and challenges.
Sure, we’ve had some extra training. We’ve spent years studying human behavior, emotions, and mental health. We’ve learned a variety of techniques and strategies to help others navigate their struggles. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) helps us and our clients recognize and challenge negative thought patterns. Mindfulness practices teach us to stay present and manage stress. Art therapy, a particularly powerful tool, allows for expression beyond words. Through creative outlets, clients can explore emotions, reduce anxiety, and gain insight in ways that talking alone sometimes cannot. Art therapy is especially effective for those who might find it difficult to articulate their feelings verbally, offering a different path to healing and self-discovery.
But that doesn’t mean we’re immune to life’s ups and downs. We feel stress, we have our own anxieties, and we make mistakes—just like everyone else. I’ve been a client in therapy, worked through my own anxieties, and explored my past in the same way I encourage my clients to do. This personal experience is what helps me understand the importance of therapy and the courage it takes to embark on that journey.
Being a therapist doesn’t grant us a magical shield against life’s challenges. It does, however, give us tools that we can use—not just in our work with clients, but in our own lives as well. I’ve learned how to cope, manage emotions, and practice self-care. But that doesn’t mean I don’t slip up sometimes. I have bad days, I get overwhelmed, and sometimes, I don’t take my own advice.
What makes therapists unique is not perfection, but the ability to understand and empathize with others’ experiences. We know what it feels like to be anxious, to feel lost, or to struggle with self-doubt. My training helps me guide others through these feelings, not because I have all the answers, but because I’ve been there too. You’re in the driver’s seat, and I’m just the driving instructor, helping you navigate the way. Through techniques like solution-focused therapy, we help you identify your strengths and build on them. With art therapy, we encourage you to tap into your creativity as a means to process complex emotions and experiences. These methods aren’t about finding quick fixes—they’re about developing skills that will serve you throughout your life.
Therapy isn’t about seeking advice from someone who has it all together. It’s about working with someone who can walk alongside you, helping you navigate your own journey. I’m not here to fix you because you’re not broken. I’m here to support you, offer tools and insights, and help you find your own path to well-being. I like to say we’realla little bruised, not broken. Bruises heal, and just like someone can come back from an injury, so canyou. Withthe right support and techniques—whether that’s through talking, creating, or reflecting—you can find resilience and strength.
