“Is therapy supposed to make me feel better?”

There really is no one “right” way to feel after a counselling session. Sometimes you might leave feeling lighter because you’ve finally said something out loud. Maybe you’ll feel thoughtful, tired, emotional, or even a little unsettled. Some sessions might feel incredibly ordinary, and you leave feeling pretty neutral.

Progress is rarely simple movement going from feeling bad to feeling better. Change can feel disruptive when you begin to understand yourself and your reactions to the world in different ways. Maybe you start to be kinder to yourself, or notice what you need more often, or make decisions that feel more authentic to you.

There shouldn’t be a feeling of mystery surrounding your counselling, you’re allowed to ask what’s happening. Maybe you’d like to talk with your counsellor about your hopes for change and what kind of counselling relationship feels right for you. Counselling should be collaborative, and your experience of it matters, including any doubts or questions you have about it.

If you are wondering whether counselling might be helpful for you, you are welcome to contact me and explore the question without committing to anything.