Don’t get me wrong, I understand the leap of faith it takes to try a new therapist and get all personal with them. It’s bloody hard and emotionally exhausting! I’ve seen a different therapist previously, and whilst they were great, I just didn’t quite gel with them. Which is a totally normal experience for some of us. It’s just like the way you won’t be best friends with every single person you meet, it can take some time to find the right therapist to connect with. It’s a disheartening feeling when suddenly, you’re telling them your life story and if you felt like you didn’t really gel with them. It can absolutely leave you thinking “therapy isn’t for me”, and I know from chatting to friends the idea of that happening can hold you back from ever trying therapy in the first place!

I get it, it’s a process! But it’s one you shouldn’t give up on so quickly.

I’ve found a new therapist who’s not only been great, but she’s been keeping me accountable.
She was honest with me but not blunt, and was really great at pressing when she knew I wasn’t completely opening up about things.

That might sound counterintuitive, but when you’re starting with therapy, you’re trying to break the cycle of whatever you’re working through, so you may not be entirely honest with yourself when you work through it. But she was really great at catching me on it.

I saw her six times over 10 weeks and will absolutely continue to see her when I feel the need – because I can see how much it’s truly helped me, both personally and professionally.

I know it’s an effort and a half, and it’s an expense that not everyone has the privilege to prioritise right now, but if you have the means and you’ve been thinking about therapy, take it from me, it’s 100% worth giving it a try. It’s been a huge, huge help to me during this time. Having someone who’s non-biased, has non-judgemental energy and helps you look at the bigger picture of things is incredibly valuable.

I used to have this assumption that seeing a therapist wasn’t for me. I wasn’t at rock bottom, I hadn’t experienced extreme trauma, and compared to everything that’s going on in the world, my thoughts and feelings seem so insignificant. But I’ve learnt that everything is relative to our own experience, and speaking up about your troubles, no matter how big or small, can feel like a weight is lifted off your shoulders.

I’m really happy about the place it’s helped me get to now and I wanted you to know that you should never feel ashamed for wanting or needing to speak to a professional. In Australia, your GP can help you with a mental health care plan to subsidise the cost of your sessions and refer you to a local therapist near you.

Speaking up is so good for the soul. Whatever you’re going through, you’ve got this x