Game changers.

I know that therapy isn't for everyone... at least in terms of beginning therapy at any point and being able to see it through. I know that therapy CAN be useful for everyone, but you have to be at a point where you're willing to pull back the layers of your life and examine what's there. What's keeping you sick. What needs to get thrown away.

I recently found an amazing article from a woman who went to therapy in her 20s and kept a journal of sorts about her therapy experience. In THIS article, she speaks to 8 life-changing lessons that she learned while attending therapy. I hope you'll take the time to read the article, but here are the lessons that she learned...

1. You are stronger than you think.
2. The most difficult step of character development is to enjoy being alone.
3. Sometimes you have to let go of your notion of a happy family.
4. You need to accept you.
5. Don't take the blame for your parents' behavior.
6. Watch out for repetition-compulsion.
7. Practice being real.
8. Fully accepting what your parents can't give you frees you.

I went to lunch today with a fellow therapist, and we talked about how some graduate school programs encourage, or even require, students to attend therapy. We talked about the importance of being clear in your own thoughts and feelings before you can truly help others, and the importance of self-reflection as a practicing clinician.

Whether you are actively engaged in therapy, or could just use a little boost to your thoughts every once in a while, I hope you'll take the time to review this list and consider its impact in your own life. If you find stuck-points or an idea that speaks to you, I hope you'll take the time to think about it more. Think about how it applies to you and what you may be able to do to find some resolution.