Therapy isn’t just healing for clients—it’s healing for us too. As therapists, we witness the power of vulnerability, resilience, and transformation every day. In the therapy room, you don’t have to perform or fit into a neat box. You get to show up as you are, and that is enough.

In this blog, I’m sharing what it’s like to be ‘in the other chair’—the joys, the challenges, and the deep sense of connection we feel with those we walk alongside. If you’ve ever wondered what therapists think about outside of session or how we feel when therapy comes to an end, this one’s for you.

Seeking mental health support can be a daunting journey, especially for individuals who identify as part of a racial, ethnic or sexual minority. Experiencing life as an “other” can be isolating and disheartening. The trauma of feeling marginalized can seep into your mental health, leading to feelings of anxiety, depression, or low self-esteem.  

This is why finding the right therapist – one who truly seeks to see you, honor your lived experiences, and who is willing to walk your journey with humility is crucial to healing. 

If you have heard the phrase “His head is getting too big,” or “She must be feelin’ herself,” this post is for you. Or, maybe instead, you’ve gotten a backhanded compliment about your “little business,” or the tone of disbelief when confronted with your success - this post is also for you.

Whether it is in English or in your mother’s native tongue, there is a cultural commonality among Black and Brown communities that aims to keep egos from forming, doling out healthy doses to ensure that humbleness remains ever-present. It is tradition for elders (and other family members) to withhold flowers, almost as an inoculation to prevent the inflation of the ego in response to success.

But why?

In the midst of the holiday whirlwind, as we wrap presents and decorate our homes, let us not forget that we are not just carrying the weight of tinsel and tradition but also the echoes of our past. The beauty lies not only in recognizing these echoes but in our power to transform them. By acknowledging the wounds of our inner child, the unspoken pains inherited from generations before us, we unlock the potential for healing.

Taking the first step to see a mental health therapist can feel like less of a step and more of a “leap,” as you entrust someone - a stranger - with your thoughts and feelings during a time when you likely feel your most vulnerable. And it’s OK if you have mixed feelings about it. Unlike a physical ailment like a broken bone or a persistent cough, it’s very easy for us to feel that we can simply push through by throwing things “under the rug,” or even minimize the symptoms that your mind and body are feeling that led you to seek help to begin with. However, a decision to invest in yourself and your future is simply priceless. As you navigate potential apprehension (or even excitement) I hope these pointers below will help you with getting you to your first session.