Things I’ve Learned as a Therapist Who also Goes to Therapy
As a therapist, I’m often in the position of offering support, holding space, and helping others process their experiences. But I also go to therapy myself regularly. And doing so has taught me just as much—if not more—about what it means to show up with presence, compassion, and honesty.
Here are a few lessons I’ve learned on the other side of the couch.
1. Insight doesn’t replace emotion
Even when I can name what I’m feeling or understand the roots of my reactions, that doesn’t mean the emotions go away. Therapy reminds me that understanding and feeling can coexist—and both are valid. Making space for my own emotional experience, instead of trying to analyze or bypass it, is part of the healing work.
2. Healing doesn’t make me immune
There’s a misconception that therapists have it “figured out,” but I still face my own struggles. I still get triggered. Healing doesn’t mean I stop being human—it means I relate to myself differently when the hard moments come. Going to therapy helps me receive the supports I need when I’m having a hard time or just need some guidance to gain clarity and make decisions. It also helps me understand different phases of myself as I go through life.
3. Receiving care is a practice
I’ve learned that receiving care takes courage. It’s not always easy to let myself be seen or supported, especially when I’m used to being on the other side. Therapy challenges me to soften, to trust, and to be honest about my own needs—without shame.
4. Progress often looks quiet
Growth doesn’t always feel like a breakthrough. Sometimes it looks like staying present through discomfort, setting a boundary a little sooner, or responding with more self-compassion than I could before. Sometimes it takes a while to look back and realize the progress and the changes that’s already happened. These shifts may be small, but they’re deeply meaningful.
5. Therapy isn’t about fixing—because I’m not broken
What I’ve come to believe is that therapy isn’t about changing who I am. It’s about meeting myself with more curiosity, kindness, and clarity. It’s about honoring what I’ve lived through and giving myself permission to move forward with intention.
6. Going to therapy is an act of self-love
Choosing to be in therapy isn’t a sign that I’m falling apart—it’s a sign that I value my wellbeing. Showing up for myself, even when it’s uncomfortable, is a form of self-respect. It’s a commitment to care, not perfection.
Being a therapist who goes to therapy doesn’t make me less capable—it makes me more human. It reminds me, again and again, that holding space for others starts with learning how to hold space for myself.
If you're in your own process of healing, growth, or self-discovery, know that you're not alone. Therapy can be a place to reconnect—with yourself, your values, and your capacity to navigate whatever comes next.