05/24/2026
We have started to show glimpses of what it can look like behind the door of the counseling room! We’re having so much fun doing this and will continue to show you glances into some of our sessions!
Now, let’s talk a little about the process of counseling…
We often use a metaphor with clients when we are describing the process of counseling, and thought it would be beneficial to share with everyone to better explain the therapeutic process.
In many ways counseling is like a client dragging a stuffed and cumbersome suitcase to a therapist and asking for help with shutting it. “I’ve tried sitting on it, jumping on it and even getting help from family and friends, but it just won’t shut, and I don’t know what to do!”
Some suitcases might look pristine on the outside, but extremely cluttered within, others are bruised and battered and have clearly seen better days.
Fortunately, therapists work with all types of suitcases and at that first session they will probably agree that your suitcase is bursting at the seams and needs a good sort-through.
So together, in a safe room, we begin unpacking your suitcase.
It can take only a couple of sessions to unpack, but other times it can take months or even years. It depends on how big, how deep, how weathered and worn it’s become. It depends on how hard it is to open.
Some suitcases can’t open more than a crack and so it takes time to reach in, grab an item and gently pull it out into the open.
Once we’ve unpacked, scattered across the floor our office, we can begin to sort.
And so, we continue. Examining, rummaging, checking, trying on, discarding, or keeping until finally the suitcase shuts perfectly, with little effort.
It’s back to its real purpose, its true self. It is finally able to carry items effortlessly.
And hopefully, in the future, you might be a little pickier about whether something belongs in your suitcase or someone else’s. 🧳
