True Nature
Wilderness Therapy
10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting Therapy (As a Therapist)
10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting Therapy (As a Therapist)
Maybe you found this post because you’re thinking about starting therapy Maybe you’re Googling, wondering what your first therapy session will really be like. Or maybe you stumbled across this post by accident and are just curious about what therapy is like. Either way, if you’re feeling nervous, hesitant, or unsure—trust me, you’re not alone.
The therapy process can feel intimidating at first. The anxiety and uncertainty of beginning therapy—especially if it’s your first time—are completely normal. Even as a therapist myself, I’ve learned some of the most valuable lessons about mental health by being on the other side of the couch. And let me tell you—there were plenty of things I didn’t expect.
So, if you’re thinking about starting therapy (or even if you’ve already begun), here are 10 things I wish I knew before beginning this journey.
1. You’re never fully “ready” for therapy.
I used to think there was a perfect time to start therapy—when I had more time, more energy, or was in the “right” headspace. Turns out, that moment doesn’t really exist. Therapy happens in the mess of life, not when everything is perfectly aligned. And honestly? Bringing that mess into therapy is what makes the process so powerful.2. You may want your therapist to like you.
It’s natural to want to be liked, even by your therapist. You might feel an urge to “perform” in therapy—to say the insightful thing, to prove you’re a good client. But therapy isn’t about being good at therapy—it’s about being real in therapy. If you notice this pattern showing up, consider bringing it up in session. There are often some really valuable insight hidden in that dynamic.3. Some sessions may leave you feeling a little raw before you feel better.
Therapy isn’t a straight, uphill climb. Some sessions will feel like breakthroughs, while others might leave you feeling raw, exhausted, or emotionally drained. This is part of the process. But if it ever feels like too much, talk to your therapist about it.4. You might get defensive.
Even when you want to do the work, even when you fully believe in the process—there will be moments when you feel defensive. Therapy has a way of poking at the parts of you that don’t want to be poked, and your first instinct might be to push back. That’s okay. Resistance is part of healing, and noticing it is often the first step.5. It’s deeply uncomfortable to sit with your own contradictions.
You can love someone and also feel resentment toward them. You can want change but also fear it. Therapy asks you to hold space for both of these truths, and that’s not an easy thing to do. But learning to sit with these contradictions—rather than rushing to “fix” them—is where real growth happens.6. You may have a mini identity crisis.
Therapy often brings up big questions: Who am I without my anxiety? Without this pattern? Without this relationship? The more you unpack, the more you may realize how much of your life has been shaped by old wounds. It can be unsettling to consider who you are beyond them, but it’s also an opportunity to redefine yourself in a way that feels true.7. Your therapist isn’t judging you—but you might think they are.
There were moments when I’d say something and immediately scan my therapist’s face for a reaction. Do they think I’m ridiculous? Unfixable? Too much? (Spoiler: They don’t.) It is a privilege to be a therapist and to hold this space for you in your vulnerable growth moments. Therapists feel deeply honoured to be trusted with your innermost thoughts. If you’re ever worried about what they’re thinking, try asking them. Their response may surprise you.8. The things you avoid talking about are usually the things you most need to talk about.
I could feel it in my body—certain topics would make me fidget, change the subject, crack a joke. Avoidance is data. If you notice yourself dodging certain topics, there’s a reason. Therapy is about leaning into those moments, rather than away from them.9. Healing can feel… boring.
You’re unlikely to experience a dramatic, movie-style moment where everything clicks into place. More often, healing is the slow, steady work of making different choices—over and over—until one day, you realize you’ve responded to something differently. And that’s how change happens. Quietly, gradually, but profoundly.10. You don’t have to be in crisis to go to therapy.
I used to think therapy was only for when everything was falling apart. But the best therapy happens when you’re not just surviving—when you have the space to get curious, dig deeper, and build something new. Therapy isn’t just about coping with crisis; it’s about growing, thriving, and learning more about yourself. You deserve that, even if things seem “fine” on the surface.Ready to take your next steps
towards healing and thriving?
At True Nature Wilderness Therapy, we offer gentle, evidence-based outdoor therapy on trail in Whistler and Squamish, and online across BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nunavut, Yukon and the Northwest Territories for individuals navigating anxiety, burnout, life transitions, and more.
🌲 Book your free consultation to learn how counselling (either in nature, or online) can support your mental health and well-being.
💌 Want more grounded insights like this? Subscribe to our newsletter for reflections, upcoming offerings, and seasonal inspiration delivered straight to your inbox.
Let us help guide you home, at the gentle pace of nature—one step at a time.
