Therapy
Going to therapy is hard
Talking to a stranger
Saying what’s wrong with me
Maybe it’s all in my head
Memories haunting my mind
Thoughts are spinning
Endless reel of worrying
Pressure in my chest, squeezing
My breath hastens, slams
My heart races, pounds
Parts of me fight to take the wheel
Muscles are tight, tingling
So much tension, I can’t relax
My body tremors
Shutting down
I’d reach out but the voices say
I don’t deserve it
It’s not that bad
No one cares
Why bother trying
I can do it myself
I can’t afford it
I don’t know how
It’s too late
I don’t have time
I’ve already tried
I can’t feel anything
I’m fine
I shove things down
It’s been so long
I should be over it by now
It’s my fault anyway
I don’t want to cry
I’m so alone
Tired of suffering
I’m scared
I want to hide
It’s pointless
It’s killing me
I’d rather die
I want to live
I need relief
I just want to be free
Relate in harmony
Be happy, angry, sad, at peace
Respond appropriately
Feel all the things
Be all the things
And still be okay
I’m not okay
I need help
I need to talk to someone
I’m a therapist, I’ve been there too
A wounded healer
Asking what happened to you
Tracing scars from hidden injuries
Some are still bleeding
I hear your anxious part pleading
See the danger circling
It’s meant to keep you safe and sound
Sometimes the alarms go off so loud
It’s deafening
They’re just trying to protect you
Past reactions of fight or flee
Your body wants to act
You can shake it off
Empower your defenses
Quiet the chaos
Not let shame silence you
Your story matters
I’m on your side
You’re worth the while
It’s not a one-person job
We’ll figure it out
I’ll guide the way
Now’s the perfect time
I’ll meet you online
We’ll do it differently
Everyone dissociates
We pretend to be okay
Bury the pain beneath
Time doesn’t heal all wounds
You can’t just get over it
You reflect the trauma
That needs to release
It hurts to connect
But the feelings have meaning
I can help you regulate
Create safety and calm
Find hope within
Transform the torment
Hang on to healing
Trust your instincts
Slow down and breathe
Take back control
Love and be loved
Be emotionally healthy
Stay present in the moment
Meet your body’s needs
Embrace exactly who you are
Thrive through life’s stresses
You are going to be okay
I’m right here
I’m listening
Carol is a psychologist and the founder of Therapy Alberta, a private group practice with local psychologists, social workers, and counsellors offering individual, couples, and family counselling and therapy in Calgary and across Alberta.