People come to therapy for any number of reasons….for some, it’s because there is an immediate, obvious reason. It could be because of divorce, depression, anxiety, grief, problems at work, etc. For some, they may not even know exactly what is wrong, something is just not….right.
There is something very powerful about having a witness to our lives. Something in the human condition, no matter how insightful we may be about ourselves, makes it such that sometimes we need mirrors - people who can help us see ourselves more clearly and identify our maladaptive patterns.
I also believe that therapy is as important as ever in the modern world, where stress is so common and people are under so much pressure to “succeed” in today’s world. Technology, while being a tremendous advancement, has also brought with it some problems. While adding a lot to our lives, it’s also taken away some of the ways we used to connect with others that are quite valuable. A lot of people are struggling to figure out how to maintain these important human connections while juggling their responsibilities and the pressures of the modern world.
For me, part of the “magic” of therapy is that, as a therapist, we have no investment in a persons’ choices beyond wanting the best for the person. There is an unconditionality to the therapeutic bond that is not common in most human relationships. One of the greatest gifts, for me, of being a therapist it to be able to sit with people and share in their lives. To watch people become more and more themselves is a true honor.