I notice a look of cautious excitement but concern on the faces of the clients when they enter the therapy space. The courage it took for them to sit across from me, knowing that getting to the session should be marked as a success; however, the worry from the years of problems they have been going through is now ready to be exposed.
Tell me, what's been on your heart? The question provides sincerity and room for the client to open the door to bits of their journey. They begin to figure out the core pieces of their stories, with slight hesitation about how much feeling to expound. Their tears must be released now, but therapy can't be the only place to fall.
They might not say it, but clients try so hard to hide the anxiety that is permeating through the session. The sweat beads so slightly trickle down their faces as they hear themselves utter the words that have remained silent for so long. They may not outwardly communicate it, but internally, they ask themselves, "Is it okay for me to say these things? Am I breaking some code? If so, I don't know if this is the space to share my thoughts. My cycle has held me back, but do I have the emotional capacity to reveal the parts of myself that have held me in captivity?
Please. I need help! Wait, but am I really ready?
They look at me with the hope for change, yet fear of the unknown. Glancing at the time and potentially having to take 45 - 60 minutes out of their day, as some don't hear themselves speak with words of vulnerability. The minutes go by, and they carefully wander through it all if this is the right choice.The process can be draining but fulfilling all at once. They look at me as they weep again. How long can I keep going on this way?
I hope therapy is the right choice.
But it doesn't have to be forever.
