Trust the Process

By Patricia McGuire, LPC-MHSP

9/12/2024

“Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.” — Brené Brown

Each of us comes to therapy with our own story, perceptions, and desires. Oftentimes, we come to therapy hoping for a way out of hard experiences. Perhaps you’re searching for relief or insight. Maybe you feel stuck or frustrated. It’s understandable that we want to avoid distress - sometimes our pain is so great it can lead to hopelessness. However, it’s by going through our struggles that we find healing.

Life stressors (big and small) impact us and can overwhelm our ability to cope. In these times, we are often resourceful, developing new ways to cope with disruptions and suffering. This resourcefulness can help us manage stress and trauma, but it may not be helpful long-term. We may become reactive, numb, distractible, or in constant autopilot.

Stress can also highlight existential concerns, such as: meaning, purpose, identity, and death. If we bypass these concerns, we may create unhelpful narratives about ourselves and diminish our ability to be vulnerable. When we connect again with ourselves and with others, we can move through these emotional barriers and cultivate our authentic self.

In the therapeutic relationship, we can practice vulnerability and make space for all the nuances of our lives, from the painful to the joyous. The therapeutic process is dynamic, nonlinear, and rarely yields quick “results.” We may encounter the same parts of our story over and over again, allowing us to develop helpful systems of support and understand ourselves more deeply. There is no formula for healing.

There is more available to each of us than just “getting by.” We can be thriving, active participants in our own lives. Trust the process: with care, patience, and curiosity, even the most difficult experiences can be transformed and healed.

Go deeper: https://brenebrown.com/art/24339/

If this resonated with you and you’d like to explore these ideas further, connect with Patricia McGuire Counseling here