Wait… Therapy Isn’t Supposed to Feel Good All the Time?

(Nope—and that’s actually the point.)

So, you’re thinking about therapy. Or maybe you’ve just started. You expected warmth, support, a little venting, or maybe even some “Aha!” moments, like in the movies.

But what you didn't expect? To feel a bit… off afterward and now you’re wondering: “Am I doing this wrong?”

Let’s pause right there. Because here’s the truth most people don’t tell you upfront: Therapy isn’t always supposed to feel good.

Therapy Isn’t Just a Chat Session

Sure, there will be days when it feels like a deep, refreshing exhale. But real therapy? It also means facing things you’ve avoided, asking hard questions, admitting painful truths, and sometimes, that’s... uncomfortable.

Imagine cleaning out a messy closet. At first, it looks neat from the outside. But once you start pulling things out—old memories, dusty habits, emotions you forgot you even had—it looks worse before it gets better.

That’s therapy.  It’s not just about feeling better.  It’s about getting better. And that’s a big difference.

And here’s another thing: Therapy is not a one-session fix. It’s not a quick pep talk or a magic reset button, instead it’s a process; a slow, unfolding journey. The real benefit of therapy doesn’t always show up in the first or second session.

Sometimes, it takes months to even start feeling the shifts. Because healing isn’t instant; it’s layered. It’s built on trust, time, and showing up—especially on the days you don’t feel like it. If you’re not feeling “better” right away, don’t give up. You’re not doing it wrong. You’re just getting started.

If You’re New to Therapy, Here’s What I Want You to Know:

• It’s okay to not have the right words. Just showing up is enough.

• It’s okay to feel uncomfortable. Growth rarely happens in comfort zones.

• It’s okay to not feel better right away. That’s not failure. That’s the process.

“But Shouldn’t I Leave Feeling Happy?”

Not always. Sometimes you’ll leave feeling tired. Exposed. Even confused.  That’s not failure. That’s progress in disguise. Growth doesn’t happen when you’re cozy—it happens when you stretch.

And therapy? It’s one of the bravest kinds of stretching there is.

So Why Go Through It at All?

Because underneath the hard conversations, the quiet realizations, the “wait—I never thought of it that way” moments… Is you. The version of you that’s lighter, clearer, stronger. Therapy helps you meet that version.

But the journey there? Isn’t always smooth. It’s honest. It’s real. And sometimes, it’s tough.

Starting therapy doesn’t mean everything gets easier. It means you’re ready to face the things that were hard—with help.  

And that’s something worth being proud of.