As a therapist, it’s important to recognize that advice can vary greatly depending on the individual and their unique situation. While I strive to provide the best guidance possible, there have been times when my suggestions may not have landed as intended.
One piece of advice I gave early in my career was to “just focus on the positive” during a particularly challenging time for a client. While a positive mindset can be helpful, I later realized that it wasn’t addressing the complexity of their feelings and experiences. Sometimes, it’s crucial to sit with the discomfort and process those emotions instead of trying to bypass them.
I learned that it’s often more beneficial to validate a person’s experience, encouraging them to explore both their positive and negative emotions rather than inadvertently pushing them to ignore the difficult feelings. Therapy is about finding a tailored approach that respects each client’s journey, and I’ve come to understand that nuance is key.
As a therapist, it’s important to recognize that advice can vary greatly depending on the individual and their unique situation. While I strive to provide the best guidance possible, there have been times when my suggestions may not have landed as intended.
One piece of advice I gave early in my career was to “just focus on the positive” during a particularly challenging time for a client. While a positive mindset can be helpful, I later realized that it wasn’t addressing the complexity of their feelings and experiences. Sometimes, it’s crucial to sit with the discomfort and process those emotions instead of trying to bypass them.
I learned that it’s often more beneficial to validate a person’s experience, encouraging them to explore both their positive and negative emotions rather than inadvertently pushing them to ignore the difficult feelings. Therapy is about finding a tailored approach that respects each client’s journey, and I’ve come to understand that nuance is key.