Taking the step to come to therapy can feel daunting. The logistics—scheduling, finding the right therapist, filling out paperwork—can feel like a lot. And then there’s the classic avoidance. As social mammals, we’re wired to move toward pleasure and away from pain. Therapy can feel like steering straight into a storm. So why sail into emotional discomfort when it feels easier to stay busy, distract ourselves, or just push through?
Because over time, two things tend to happen.
First, like a hose swelling with water, our emotions build up pressure. If that pressure isn’t released intentionally, it eventually bursts—often unexpectedly and in ways that don’t serve us. This can strain relationships, increase symptoms, and create new pain.
Second, avoidance becomes a habit. We’re wired for patterns, and when we repeatedly shut down our emotions or ignore our needs, our brains start to default to quick fixes. If every time I feel irritable I pour a glass of wine, I’m reinforcing a message to my nervous system: “This is how we cope.” Over time, the feeling gets buried, but the behavior sticks. Sometimes those behaviors—whether substances, social media, sex, shopping, or food—begin to create their own problems.
Therapy helps interrupt these cycles. It offers space to unpack what’s beneath the surface, develop new strategies, and move toward more connection and intentionality. It’s not about perfection—it’s about learning to understand yourself, acknowledging your emotions, and building healthier ways of relating to the world around you.
If you’re considering therapy, here are a few tips for getting started:
Request a free 15-minute consultation to make sure it’s a good fit—and to get some low-pressure exposure to the process.
Show up with your basic needs met. Try to schedule sessions for times when you’re hydrated, nourished, and more energized.
It’s okay to switch therapists. If something feels off, trust that instinct. You deserve a therapeutic relationship that feels supportive.
It’s okay if it’s not easy at first. Therapy is hard. Like going to the doctor to set a broken bone, it may be painful at first—but with time and care, healing is possible.
We’re here to support you through those early steps and beyond. Whether you’re ready to begin or simply exploring what therapy might offer, we’d be honored to be part of your journey.
-Sultana
“The only way out is through”