Let’s Talk Therapy!
My Journey
Let’s talk therapy — the girl we all need but pretend we don’t.
In my last post, I mentioned therapists as one of the key people to have in your circle.
Here’s exactly why:
They’re licensed, trained, and literally legally required not to judge you 😉
They give you an outside perspective and won’t sugarcoat things the way close friends or family might
They help you understand yourself better and trace patterns back to the real root
And honestly? They give you a safe space to ramble about whatever the heck is on your mind
My therapy journey started about three years ago, and I remember how nervous I was before my first appointment. I had heard wonderful things about therapy… and also some horror stories. To make it even more awkward, I remember thinking, “What do I even talk about?”
After that first session, I felt proud of myself for taking the step. My therapist and I clicked instantly, and I was excited to book the next session. I also know that’s not everyone’s experience — many people meet with a few therapists before they find one they connect with. That’s completely normal and absolutely okay.
What I’ve learned over the years is that everyone deserves a therapist — and it shouldn’t be treated like a luxury service. Yes, systemic barriers exist, and access isn’t equal for everyone. But in an ideal world, having a therapist should be as normalized as having a family doctor or dentist.
How to Get Started
Even if you feel like you have “nothing” to talk about, just talk about your day. You’d be surprised how much gets unpacked when you walk through the moments that overwhelmed you. If you felt stressed at work, your therapist might ask why, explore where the feeling comes from, and help you build tools for next time.
They might ask about your childhood too — not to dig for drama, but to understand how you became who you are today. And to remind you that you’re not “broken.” You just went through some s*** your younger self didn’t have the capacity to process.
Once you build rapport, the sessions become less nerve-racking and more like talking to your girlfriends — wine glass in hand, face masks on, and zero judgment.
Resources
Of course, affordability is a huge barrier. Not everyone has benefits, and therapy fees can be intimidating. So here’s a small list of free or low-cost options available to Ontarians:
Ontario Structured Psychotherapy (OSP) — free, referral-based mental health programs
Post-secondary counselling services — for current students
Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) — community programs and support
BetterHelp — more affordable online therapy options
Psychology Today — directory to find therapists with sliding-scale rates
This barely scratches the surface, but it’s a good place to start. There are options, and it’s worth exploring them.
In Conclusion…
Therapy has become one of the most important parts of my personal development and overall well-being. Honestly, I probably wouldn’t be writing this blog post today if it weren’t for my therapist.
Being vulnerable is terrifying — but community makes it easier. <3
Journal Prompts
What are some of the characteristics of your ‘ideal’ therapist?
If you could talk freely for one hour with zero judgement, what would you say?
What would I hope to gain from therapy over the next 6 months?