I Was Scared to Start Therapy – Here’s What I Know Now

It was this time ten years ago that I started going to therapy.

I had no idea what to expect — except that this woman came highly recommended by people I trusted. That, and I really needed some help. I remember the first time someone suggested I see her and my immediate response?

"Nope. No, thank you. I’m not ready to open that can of worms."

Ignorance is bliss, right?

But life has a way of pushing you exactly where you need to go. And if a gentle nudge doesn’t work, it’ll start throwing bricks. Loudly. Repeatedly.

At the time, I felt stuck in a way I’d never experienced before. My inner world was a tangled mess of overthinking, emotional confusion, and questioning everything. I didn’t know what I wanted or what I should do — I just knew that I couldn’t keep going the way that I was.

Talking to friends helped, but not really. They meant well, but their advice was often tangled up in their own experiences, or how my decisions would affect them, or what they thought was “best”. I needed something else. Something unbiased. I needed someone to witness what I was going through and actually help me find my answer.

So, I made the appointment. And I was terrified.

I still remember walking into that room. It was softly lit, warm, lots of crystals, and meditative music humming in the background. It wasn’t at all what I expected.

I sat down... and just cried.

My therapist smiled gently and said, “This room is filled with love. It has a way of opening us up.” And wow, it did. I cried through the session. I cried that night. I cried for most of the following week. Not from sadness or fear – but from opening, and eventually, from knowing. I was releasing the things holding me back from what I wanted – to move forward.

Some sessions after that were deep and confronting. Others were lighter, more reflective. Sometimes I walked out feeling raw, and other times, clear and calm. There were days I wanted to throw my journal across the room, and others I felt so proud of the progress I’d made.

They were all part of it.

Let me fast-forward a decade and tell you what I wish someone had told me back then.

Now, as a therapist myself, I get to hold space for people at their own starting points. And if you’re standing where I once stood — wondering if therapy is “too much” or “too scary” or “am I even ready?!” — here’s what I want you to know:

Not every session will rip you open. Sometimes it’s deep healing. Sometimes it’s space to breathe. Sometimes it’s just talking about your week and having a chance to reflect and gain clarity. You’re not signing up to fall apart weekly.

It’s okay to cry. If you’ve been holding it together for a while, you might find that finally stopping and being seen and supported opens the floodgates. It needs to be released. And you don’t need to rush it, or justify it, or feel self-conscious about it. It’s welcome here.

You don’t have to revisit anything you’re not ready for. Therapy is not about forcing yourself into childhood trauma or making huge life decisions on the spot. Even if your therapist thinks that you should quit your job or sell all of your furniture – it doesn’t mean you have to do it if it doesn’t feel right. Part of the work is figuring out what feels right to you anyway.

The right therapist won’t rush you. They’ll hold space. They’ll ask the right questions. They’ll walk beside you, not ahead of you. There won’t be judgement if you’re not ready to take the leap yet – but they will lovingly call you out if you’re circling the same decisions for months or years without making them.

Starting is the hardest part. Truly. Once you’re in the room, you’ve already done the most courageous thing.

If you’re scared to start therapy — that’s okay. You’re not alone. And it doesn’t mean you’re not ready. It means you’re human, and change is scary.

I know how vulnerable it can feel to say, “I think I need help.”

But I also know how life-changing it can be to say, “I want to try.”

If you’re ready to explore Soul-Led Therapy, I’d be honoured to hold that space with you. You can book a session here, or reach out if you have questions — I’m happy to chat.

You're not too much. You're not too late. You're right on time.

[Ready to finally figure out what your next step is? Start your Soul-Led Therapy journey here]