I hate lying. As a therapist, I believe all healthy relationships need truth and honesty.
But I balked when I heard what the cost of sending my dog, Kurtis, to obedience school was going to be. When my family asked me how much we’d be spending, I could not help it. I lied.
I lied because I was embarrassed at how much I was willing to spend on training a dog they didn’t even want or like. I lied because… what if it didn’t work? What if he came back just the way he was when he left—sweet, but willful and unable to heed the simplest of commands? It would be just another thing I had tried to fix that didn’t work, no matter how much money I threw at the problem.
So, I lied. I didn’t want anyone to know I was ashamed, embarrassed, and didn’t want to incur their judgment if the whole thing blew up in my face.
But the joy I felt with the Kurtis I got back! He listens to me. I’m not afraid that he’ll go berserk at other dogs on our morning runs! He heeds every command I give him—and what’s more, he’s a happier dog because he doesn’t get yelled at! The difference between the Kurtis that left and the Kurtis that came back is night and day, and I couldn’t be happier about it. I got the dog I always wanted, and it was so worth what I put into it.
My experience is that it’s the same with therapy. Many of my clients come to see me feeling “ashamed” about their need to be there, “embarrassed” about what their friends or family would say to them if they found out, and stressed about finding a way to pay for something that they’re not even sure will work. I reassure them, “Give it time. It… you… are worth the investment. Just be patient.”
I can say, from personal experience, that the return of the investment in yourself in a therapeutic setting is worth every penny. It’s nothing to be ashamed of or embarrassed about, because what you get back… the “you” you get back, the “you” you’ve always wanted to be… is priceless.
All you have to do is try, knowing you’re worth the cost and the effort. If you’re ready to get yourself back, then make an appointment with me today!
