Uncomfortable Feelings

It's very hard to find the words, "I have experienced this." What brings people into counselling? The Creating Space Project talks about therapy and mental health with psychologist Sahra O'Doherty. People can spend a lot of time squishing uncomfortable feelings back down, and get worried that if they lift the lid, they're not too sure what's going to emerge. We can be pretty afraid of our emotions. Society teaches us to fear failing. Shame and guilt feel painful. Vulnerability is frightening. So to come and talk to a psychologist can take a lot of courage. And what's it like to be a psychologist sharing space with clients? Sahra talks about the ways that providing counselling has shaped her and how if we, as therapists, can't sit with our own discomfort and vulnerability, how can we expect it of anyone else? The research tends to show that 70-80% of the effectiveness of therapy comes from the relationship between therapist and client. It's the relationship that heals. So if you have a really fantastic and strong therapeutic relationship, that can facilitate positive change.