Dear _______,
Every time we work together, I'm inspired by your strength and your insightfulness. My heart also breaks for you, for your younger self. There are times I wish I could just jump off the couch and hug you.
I want you to know, the goal of therapy is not to "fix" you. You see, you are not broken. You never were. You may have felt that way, but feelings aren't always logical. Just because we feel something does not mean it's true.
My role, as your therapist, is to guide you to the truth. You've been through some really terrible experiences. Some seemed major, some seemed minor. Those experiences made you believe things about yourself that are just not true. And those thoughts make you feel anxious and sad.
Together, we create space to heal from the things that hurt you. We make room for the truth. Just because something happened to you does not mean something is wrong with you. What happened to you does not define you. I can see the real you.
It wasn't your fault.
It wasn't your responsibility.
You did the best you could.
It's safe to feel your feelings now.
You ARE good enough.
I know sometimes our sessions are exhausting and emotional. I wish I could snap my fingers and magically make it all better, but the only way out is through. Thank you for trusting me with your story. Thank you for trusting me to be your guide on this path.
I keep a sacred space for you and your story in my heart. I'm excited for your future. Things can only get better from here.
With love and trust,
Your therapist.
About the Author
Dana Carretta-Stein is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and founder of Peaceful Living Mental Health Counseling, PLLC, in Scarsdale, NY & Carretta Consulting. She is an expert in PTSD, trauma and anxiety.
Dana is a certified EMDR therapist and consultant, in which she provides additional training and consultation to EMDR Therapists. She is also a private practice consultant in Westchester, NY.