Embracing the Journey: Finding Strength in Therapy and Self-Discovery
Everyone who decides to enter therapy has that moment. The moment when life feels overwhelming, emotions get the best of you, tragedy strikes, you desperately need empathy, or perhaps even a death has occurred. It is then that you find yourself considering, searching, or asking another person for a recommendation for a therapist. People often opt into counseling out of desperation or curiosity. Maybe you have shared your need for therapy, or maybe it is your own private journey. You just know that you should go, that you need something; you are just not sure what.
So when was this moment for me? It was when my normal capacity was pushed so far that I found myself barely functioning and feeling on edge, or more accurately, overwhelmed.
It was the spring of 2010. The previous year, 2009, had been upending for my family. In January of 2009, my mom suffered a brain aneurysm. I can recall receiving the phone call early that morning. My dad communicated that the ambulance was at their house to transport my mom to the hospital. Living up the street from my parents, I quickly jumped into my car and drove down to the cul-de-sac. Although my mom was already in the ambulance, I found some reassurance in seeing her foot move. I knew at that moment she was still alive.
So much happened that year. The neurosurgeon was able to stop the aneurysm, saving my mom’s life. However, in the process, it resulted in a stroke. From that day forward, my mom has had limited mobility on her right side, and she is unable to walk. The months of January, February, and March often feel like a blur. We all spent days and nights in the hospital, praying, being comforted by friends and family, and making endless visits to the hospital café, all the while longing to know that my mom was going to be okay. In between, I would return to work, trying to function, hoping nobody asked too many questions, because I was always one question away from crying, losing my composure, and not functioning.
There was a clarity of connection between all of us kids and our parents. The everyday noise of life had diminished. We were left with the reality that life as we knew it was forever changed, and mainly, the reality of what that would mean for my parents. This story is one of many stories that make up my lived history, my narrative. At the time of this story, I wasn’t a therapist; I was a college soccer coach. Fast forward a decade later, I am a therapist and have the privilege of listening to individual stories day in and day out. I am more convinced than ever that the more we master our story, the more we become masters of our lives. There is freedom in knowing ourselves, in having increased self-awareness, and in being curious about our lives, so we can be healthy kids, partners, siblings, coworkers, etc.
Today, as a therapist, I am honored to bear witness to the stories of others, helping them to navigate their own challenges and find solace in their narratives. I have come to realize that embracing our stories, understanding our past, and being curious about our inner selves is not just a path to personal well-being, but also a way to enrich our relationships and contribute positively to the lives of those around us. Whether you are considering therapy out of desperation, curiosity, or a need for empathy, know that it is a courageous step toward mastering your story and, subsequently, your life. Here’s to finding strength in vulnerability, clarity in chaos, and a deeper understanding of ourselves along this journey.
3 questions to consider:
1. When have you experienced a moment that felt overwhelming, and how did you cope with it? Could exploring therapy be a beneficial step for you to manage similar situations in the future?
2. What are the chapters of your own life story that have significantly shaped who you are today? How might gaining a deeper understanding of these events through therapy or self-reflection lead to personal growth?
3. In what ways do you actively engage in self-awareness practices, and how could increasing your self-awareness improve your relationships with family, friends, and colleagues?
The Halos Counseling Team is here to support your therapy journey. Reach out to us to schedule a free consult to determine if we're a good fit for you.