What Actually Happens in Therapy?

A lot of people still feel unsure about therapy.

Let’s be honest — the word therapy still makes a lot of people uncomfortable. There’s a cloud of confusion and mystery around it. Some imagine a dimly lit room, a stern-faced therapist with a notebook, and questions like, “So how does that make you feel?” Others think therapy is only for people who are “really messed up” or going through something dramatic.

Some think its only for "serious" problems, some imagine a therapist giving advice or judging them, and many just dont know what really happens in a session.

But therapy isn’t just that. And it definitely isn’t as intimidating as it sounds.

As someone who sits across clients every day — kids, teens, adults — I can tell you that therapy is simply a safe space to slow down, reflect, and feel seen. It’s not about giving advice or fixing people. It’s about understanding what’s going on beneath the surface — thoughts we don’t say out loud, patterns we repeat, emotions we suppress, or childhood experiences we carry even now without realizing.

In a typical session, there might be silence. There might be tears. There might be laughter. Sometimes we use play, sometimes stories. Sometimes, we just sit with what’s heavy.

You don’t need to know what to say. You don’t need to be “ready.” You just need to show up — and that’s already brave.

You can cry, talk, stay silent, or just share whatever on your mind. Sometimes, we go deep. Sometimes, we just talk about how the week has been.

Therapy isn’t for broken people. It’s for people who are tired of pretending they’re fine. It’s for those who want to understand themselves better, feel lighter, and slowly reconnect with who they are beneath all the noise.

Theres no "one way" to do therapy. Its different for everyone.

So, if you’ve ever wondered what actually happens in therapy… the answer is simple: you do.