I’ve mentioned on my social media that I started therapy this year. I’d been on the waiting list for 11 months so I’d had a lot of time to think (read worry) about what was going to happen, if it was going to work, if it would ever happen.
Then I started and while I’m not going to go into detail, because therapy is private, I have had some realisations about therapy that I didn’t know I would. I’ve heard from a number of you guys about your own mental health, so I thought I’d share some of the things I’ve learnt.
More people than you think will have gone through similar feelings
I was really open about going to therapy and so many people surprised me with their own stories. I was shocked by the number of people who had been to therapy, were currently going or hoping to start soon.
It was a real reminder that no matter how much our brains make us feel like we’re completely alone, we’re not.
You may turn into a human tap
I cried, oh man I cried. Not even about the things I was talking through. I’d watch a cute video about animal friends on Facebook and start blubbing like a baby.
After my first 2 sessions in particular I just kept crying. I think this is down to the fact that some of the things I’ve been going through I haven’t dealt with, I’ve pushed it aside because I didn’t have time to fall apart – shit needed to get done.
So, lifting the lid in the first session just opened up the part of my brain that makes the tears come. That was not so fun.
You can feel both heavier and lighter at the same time
This is a weird one to write about and to describe. In on sense just being able to talk about things makes me feel lighter. On the flip side after the sessions I was incredibly tired and my body felt heavy…hopefully that makes sense.
There may be trauma that you haven’t processed
Oof this is something that hit me harder than I thought. We realised in the first few sessions that a lot of what was going on was linked to the accident I had where I broke my spine and after.
Going back about 5 years and working through it is a lot but I’m glad I can finally deal with it.
You’re going to be ok
It might take a while, but you really, really will.
Chloe Metzger 
Thank you for this post!
While being sick, I was absolutely stubborn into NOT wanting to go – while my friend and family pushed me gently into that direction, saying that it’s okay and no, it doesn’t make you crazy. Many people go for many different reasons, and I was honestly surprised by how many children there was in the waiting room..
I was in such terror of speaking to that lady that I didn’t know, that I absolutely broke down and cried with my mother in the waiting room waiting for her.. but it did helped me in the long run, bottling everything up is never good.
Goodluck in your therapy journey, much love xx
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You’re welcome!!
It’s really difficult because there’s definitely a stigma attached! I’m glad it helped you in the long run x
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