Well, we all need it. Need is a strong word, huh? I use the word need because if I were lax about it, your approach would mirror my “devil may care” vibes. Don’t want that, I want to stress its importance.
I posted my excitement on IG story because this was my FIRST EVER therapy session. It’s not lost on me that most people are not as excited about therapy as I am.
But if there is one thing I love most it’s discussing the why behind behavioral patterns, even if that means dissecting my own.
Those patterns tell us so much about how we perceive the world, as a result of what the world may have done to our psyche, our culture, our identity, our mind, our self-esteem, etc.
Humanity just fascinates me and I am very comfortable in the realm of emotions + feelings; it’s what allows me to be great writer and actor - tap tap tap IN! Ha. I think I’m 22. If you don’t know the song, you’re in my generation ;-) and I don’t feel too bad that I learned it on tiktok.
After posting about my session, many of you had questions about how it actually went. I didn’t think anyone would care that much honestly. I post so much on my story that I never know what people will respond to nor do I do it for responses, I just love sharing.
So, I’ll share my takeaways. You know those articles titled, 5 Ways to Self Care, that’s how I will tackle this one. Let’s get this list going!
ONE. You don’t need to be in a crisis to go to therapy. When asked why now and why did I sign up for a session, I stated that I’d like some awareness around my behavior and I think having someone to talk would be beneficial for me, since I am the one who people always come to. I take JOY in that, like I mentioned, I enjoy talking about emo things. She was a bit shocked because most people go after an event, ocurrence. Nope, I just want to make sure I’m not out here practicing what I preach. Healing + growth!
TWO. There’s always room to grow + learn. If you know me, you know that I am hyper aware and discerning, I can get to point 5 while someone is still working on point 1. It’s a gift! I can navigate the emotional realm well therefore when the therapist brought up a certain behavior of mine, which I was aware of but didn’t know it was a “thing”, my jaw dropped. I was happy to have to learned to something new about myself. “I do what? And it sounds like who?” Of course, I had to be honest in my sharing, I didn’t hold back. It was amazing to have someone read me because I will read someone else in a heartbeat, honey. The Lord is working, y’all, He’s working. Don’t worry.
THREE. Gaining new tools! For those of you who need tangibles, there are tools that the therapist equips you with to combat certain ways of thinking, which lead to behavioral patterns. We even talked about engaging friends and family in my healing work by approaching them in a very specific way - when they see or hear me going to back to something I am working on, they can bring it to my attention. Isn’t that great… Community - at the heart of all we do!
Homegirl almost gave me homework, I was like, umm, there’s a chance I might be doing real homework for my evening classes and won’t get to it HAHA She’s still going to give homework because the real work, starts after the session. Can I get an amen?
This is a brief summary of the amazing one hour session I had at my first ever therapy session. She did mention that I am a rarity (toot toot) because I am aware of my mind and body. Yet, I, have so much to learn about me especially those things that have shaped my thinking. Whatever I discover is not serving me - “y fueeeeera!” I don’t want it.
So who’s signing up for therapy next week? Or give it a try next month?
Join me on this healing + growth journey! My next one is next week. There are a lot of resources online on low cost therapy and free services being offered AND since we have all been subjected to 2020, we know we need it. Take care of TU/YOU.
(Hit me up if you’d like me to refer you to my new therapist.)