Embracing Therapy: What to Expect When You Go for the First Time
Welcome to She Thrives with Stef Barti, a podcast dedicated to empowering women to live their best lives and thrive unapologetically.
This blog post is based on Episode 44 of my podcast, She Thrives with Stef Barti. If you prefer to listen, you can check out the original podcast episode.
Welcome to She Thrives with Stef Barti, a podcast dedicated to empowering women to live their best lives and thrive unapologetically. Today, I want to share something personal with you
I’ve recently started therapy. This is something I’ve wanted to do for years but kept putting off—thinking I could do it all on my own.
But, the truth is, there’s no shame in asking for help, and in today’s post, I want to talk about my experience and why therapy can be a beautiful tool for self-growth and healing.
The Journey to Therapy: A Long Time Coming
For years, I’ve been doing what I call “self-therapy”—journaling, introspecting, and reading books to better understand myself.
Over the past 5-6 years, I’ve made huge strides in my personal growth, especially after turning 30. But as much as I’ve learned, there came a point when I realized I could no longer do it alone.
I was at a crossroads where I needed something more, something deeper—a professional perspective to help me navigate the patterns I’ve been struggling with, like my ADHD and childhood trauma.
It wasn’t easy for me to admit that I needed help. For a long time, I prided myself on being hyper-independent (which isn’t necessarily a terrible thing, by the way).
But I reached a moment where I knew I needed support beyond what I could give myself. So, I took the leap.
What to Expect When You Go to Therapy for the First Time
I’ll be honest—I didn’t even schedule a trial consultation before booking my first session. I just trusted my intuition and took the plunge.
And let me tell you, it felt right. Therapy can be intimidating, especially for those of us who aren’t used to asking for help, but the process is incredibly rewarding.
Keep reading to know what you can expect when you take that first step.
You Don’t Have to Have It All Together
Therapy is a space where you can show up as you are—no filters, no pretenses.
I went into my first session not really knowing what to expect, but I didn’t have to be “fixed” before I started.
The point is to work through things, and that process starts by simply being.
It’s Okay to Feel Vulnerable
For someone like me, who has often relied on self-reliance, being vulnerable can feel uncomfortable.
But it’s important to recognize that this vulnerability is where growth happens.
In therapy, I was able to share parts of my story I hadn’t fully processed, and it felt freeing to be heard by someone who wasn’t part of my immediate circle of friends or family.
There’s No Shame in Seeking Help
A big part of this process is normalizing the act of asking for support. Many of us were taught to “figure it out on our own,” but that can be exhausting and isolating.
Therapy is about breaking the stigma of mental health and recognizing that, just like physical health, emotional well-being requires care and attention.
You’ll Find the Right Fit
The first therapist I found was someone I’d followed on Instagram for a while.
While I felt like I connected with her personality, I ended up being matched with a different therapist. And you know what? It felt right.
Sometimes, the fit isn’t instant, and that’s okay. Take your time to find someone who understands and resonates with you. This is your journey, and finding the right professional support is an important part of it.
Therapy as Part of a Larger Healing Journey
I’ve been on a self-healing path for a while now, but there’s something magical about working with professionals who can offer you new tools and perspectives.
Therapy isn’t the only solution, but it’s an incredibly powerful one. Healing is not a destination, but a journey, and therapy is a step in that direction.
It’s not just about uncovering past trauma; it’s about empowering yourself to break free from old patterns and create a life that feels aligned with your highest self.
I know not everyone has access to traditional therapy due to cost or other barriers. That’s why I want to remind you that there are alternatives.
Look into sliding scale clinics, university-based counseling services, or even online resources like YouTube, where professionals share tools to help you start the healing process.
There is so much available to us in this time, and we should use those resources. Don’t let cost or the idea that therapy is only for “really broken” people stop you from taking care of your mental health.
Whether it’s professional therapy, group therapy, podcast, spirituality or self-help tools, there is always something that can support you on your journey.
Don’t forget to move your body
I also find that movement goes hand in hand with therapy. It’s the perfect combination.
It’s very important to not get stuck in your head and become obsessed with self improvement. Just like everything in life, the best thing is to strike balance. 🫶🏾
If you need some help, I created the perfect self love course to ignite the goddess in you ✨“Unleash Your Wild Feminine” ✨
Building a Support Network: You’re Not Alone
In this episode, I shared that I’m actively building a support network—one that includes both professionals and the right people in my life.
It’s crucial to acknowledge that, while friends and family can be incredible sources of support, they aren’t always available when you need them.
This is why I’m so committed to surrounding myself with professionals who are trained to guide me through the deeper work that I can’t do on my own.
As I continue with therapy, I’m learning how to balance independence with the courage to ask for help.
Literally tearing up as I’m writing this, thinking about how far I’ve come. You ca do this too. Just keep going, one day at a time.
And this is something I encourage you to do, too. Whether it’s therapy, a trusted mentor, or a community of like-minded women, there’s strength in asking for support. We don’t have to do it all alone.
No Shame in Reaching Out
So, if you’re thinking about therapy, I want to tell you: there is absolutely no shame in it. Taking care of your mental health should be as normal as going to the gym or seeing a physical doctor.
You deserve to feel heard, seen, and supported in your journey.
Remember, healing isn’t a destination—it’s a process. And sometimes, we need others to walk beside us along the way.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help, because the strength you gain from that can change your life in ways you might not even expect.
Stef Barti
Host of She Thrives with Stef Barti Podcast
Feel free to share this post with anyone who might benefit from it. And remember, you are a unique, beautiful creation, worthy of love and joy every day of the year.
Join me on Instagram for more about wellness, somatic healing, spirituality, and adventures. My account is private, as I’m creating a space for like-minded women who want to thrive together. I’d love to connect with you and welcome you into my community. See you there! ✨
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I created my “Unleash your Feminine Power” to help you really start diving into your own unique power.
In this course, you will learn to connect with your body through some very sensual movements.
There is no fancy choreography to worry about. I really wanted to make this as simple as possible.
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And this is the goal of my ” Unleash your Feminine Power“.
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Women Self Love Wellness Retreat
I am so passionate about women empowerment. Everything I do is based on this. I want to see more women embrace their authentic selves. Trust me life gets so much better.
That’s the main focus of my self love women retreat. In this Wellness retreat, we go deep. I really love to connect with my fellow sisters.
That’s why I only do small groups of 10-12 women.
This retreat is an invitation to embody your feminine and to dive into radical self love. Growth and shedding past limiting beliefs is the focal point.
We do this through various workshops, wellness practices such as breath work and lots of somatic movement.
As a dance teacher, of course we will also be using the power of dance and music to process, release and shed things that are holding us back so we can be born again.
Welcome to our transformational retreat where the focus is all on YOU.
Not only that, but we do it in style and comfort.
Our next retreat is in a breathtaking villa on the beautiful island of Gozo Malta. We will be staying in our own private villa.
And did I mention our own private chef? with our own private pool 🤭.
It is the perfect time to slow down and prioritize yourself.
Also, don’t forget to stay in touch for my Bali self love women wellness retreat, for pure feminine embodiment and lots of dancing also.
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