What Really Happens in Therapy? The Story Behind My New Book

In this episode of Chitty Chats with Stacy, Stacy shares the story behind her new book, What Really Happens in Therapy: Behind Closed Doors, A Guided Journey to Healing, releasing June 15, 2026.After more than 20 years as a clinician, 25 years in the mental health field, years of teaching trauma-informed practices, and a recent deployment working with Soldiers and Veterans, Stacy began asking a deeper question: Why don’t more people come to therapy, and what are they missing when they don’t?This episode explores the barriers that keep people from seeking therapy, including cost, stigma, mistrust, fear of vulnerability, and past negative experiences with providers. Stacy also explains why the book was written for people who may never cross the threshold of a counseling office, as well as those who have been in therapy but still feel stuck.Part memoir, part science, and part practical guide, the book walks readers through understanding the brain, unpacking their story, building support, learning real healing skills, and integrating those changes into everyday life and relationships. Stacy shares why healing is hard, why we do not have to carry everything we were handed, and why learning about our nervous system, stress cycles, trauma, and emotional development can help us break generational patterns.This is an honest, heartfelt episode about therapy, healing, vulnerability, and the belief that we all deserve tools to better understand ourselves.