How Do I Know If Therapy Is Working?
One of the most common questions people have (but rarely say out loud) is: “Is this actually helping me, or am I just forking over all my money to this therapist, talking in circles?”
It’s a fair question. Therapy progress doesn’t always look like a lightbulb moment or a Hollywood breakthrough. Sometimes, it’s quieter. It’s the subtle shift from feeling stuck and reactive to noticing what’s really happening inside — and realizing you have more choice than you thought.
What Real Progress Looks Like
Some signs therapy is actually working:
You catch yourself responding differently to things that used to set you off.
You’re more curious than critical about your own thoughts and feelings.
You don’t shove things down as much — you’re able to sit with what’s real without spiraling.
You notice you feel less trapped, less alone inside your own head.
You trust yourself a bit more — your boundaries, your needs, your gut sense.
Sometimes progress is obvious — like when you feel lighter or more at ease in places that used to feel tight. Other times, it shows up when you handle a familiar trigger in a new way and think, “Huh. That was different.”
When It Feels Slow (and That’s Still Working)
You might feel worse before you feel better — that’s normal. You’re digging into old patterns, naming things you’ve avoided, and trying new ways of being. That’s real work — and sometimes real work is uncomfortable.
Good therapy isn’t about the therapist (me) fixing you. It’s about the therapist (me) helping you fix yourself — by understanding how you work, so you’re not just fighting your own mind on autopilot. It’s about creating more choice, more space, and more connection to what you actually want — and, most importantly, holding you accountable to take the actions that make your wants and needs real.
Insight alone isn’t enough. It’s insight plus action. This is what I can offer you.
If you’re wondering whether therapy could really do that for you, you don’t have to figure that out alone.
Reach out here — let’s see if we’re a good fit, together.