How does therapy work?

Life is often compared to a wave – it can be unpredictable and sometimes overwhelming. We may feel like we’re at the mercy of the wave, with no control over what comes our way and sometimes (like in a riptide), we have to do something counterintuitive to survive. However, just like a riptide, it’s important to remember that while we can’t control the wave, we can learn to understand it and ultimately ride the wave.  That is what therapy is about.  Understanding your needs, your ups and downs and then figuring out ways to ride the wave the best you can (and sometimes even enjoying the ride).  It sometimes looks pretty and it sometimes is clumsy, but we are all trying to ride our own wave and sometimes it helps to have a therapist who can help teach you ways to feel comfortable on life’s waves.

Just like a surfer who studies the patterns of the waves and knows which ones are safe to ride and which ones to avoid, a therapist can teach you to understand the patterns of life. We may not be able to control what comes our way, but by understanding our patterns, the patterns of other around us, and what we truly want (not what society tells us we want), we can learn to navigate the challenges and obstacles that come our way so that we can enjoy life a little more.

Ultimately, life is like a wave – it’s unpredictable and can be overwhelming at times. If you were truly wanting to learn how to surf after having a few failed attempts, you may hire a surf instructor.   Life is no different. If you feel like you are struggling, hire a therapist to help. This can help you find more balance, resilience, and even enjoyment in life.