Being a Therapist Who Actually Goes to Therapy (Yes, Really) & 6 Takeaways From Last Week’s Sessions

Let’s be real: just because I’ve spent hours practicing therapeutic techniques doesn’t mean I have it all figured out. In fact, I’ve learned that the best therapists are those who’ve also sat on the other side of the couch. This isn’t a vulnerability—it’s my secret sauce. Engaging in therapy helps me prevent burnout, sharpen my empathy, and diminish the risk of countertransference. Research shows that working with one’s own therapist deepens self-awareness, reminds us where our blind spots are, and ultimately makes us better at helping others.

Funny story: my therapist is unofficially my clients’ “grandtherapist.” You know, that wise, comforting figure who kind of feels like family—the one I turn to when I need my own processing. And yes, mom jokes aside, that title is 100% earned.

6 Quiet Truths from Last Week’s Sessions

I usually avoid turning therapy takeaways into bullet lists—but here’s what subtly echoed through my sessions in a way that feels authentic and rooted:

I. Sometimes, the most self-protective move is to ghost. Especially when someone’s behavior shifts into verbal abuse or blatant disregard for your boundaries. It’s not cowardice—it’s self-preservation, and I see that courage shine in session.

II. Every destructive habit we’ve ever built? It’s a coping move, born from threats to our identity or safety. Recognizing this dissolves shame—and paves the way for healthier alternatives.

III. We emotionally invest in the idea that people will change, even when they’ve repeatedly shown us otherwise. Spoiler: heartbreak is the default outcome. The healthier play? Shift your approach, not your hopes.

IV. Grace without accountability? That’s just letting someone off the hook. Accountability without empathy can morph into blame. The sweet spot? A combo of both: compassion and honesty, like a mixtape that just works.

V. Breathing isn’t just a thing your lungs do—it’s a radical act of grounding. Many of us spend life half-in, half-out of our skin. Practicing a 4-4-4 breathing cycle—inhale, hold, exhale, rest (each for four seconds, repeat four times)—can practically reboot your nervous system. And yes, breathing is scientifically legit too: research reveals mindfulness and breath-focused practices strengthen emotion regulation, reduce reactivity, and even change brain structures tied to stress response.

VI. The most important relationship you’ll ever have is with… yourself. When you consistently show up for yourself—keeping your promises, speaking your truth—you become magnetic to the kind of connections that actually reflect your self-worth back to you.

Why This Matters—Both for You and Me

When therapists walk their own talk, they bring both vulnerability and professionalism into the room. Therapy becomes less of a performance and more of a shared human journey. So ghost what’s harmful, breathe into what's real, and remember: your main ripple starts with how you treat yourself.

If this resonates, come sit with me—no expectations, just the invitation to show up for yourself.