Welcome to Fall!
Sometimes when things seem like they are falling apart, they are just falling into place! There is something comforting about letting go. It can be freeing but also scary and hard. Therapy can help in knowing who, what, when, and how to let go. What do you need to let go of?

My very used and worn down mug making an appearance on Insight of the Week. Yes, the quote itself is insightful but what do I mean by it? Well, I reach for this mug on the days that I feel overwhelmed and there is much to tackle in the world. It reminds me to take a step back, get grounded, and feel a part of and connected to the bigger picture. I read it once and I read it again... Big Sigh... "I got this."
My clients will very often here me say "trust the process", especially in the beginning of therapy. Therapy is a process! It takes time, patience, faith and hope. Chances are, whatever you are here to talk about did not happen overnight. You have a process and you owe it to yourself to trust it, allow space for it, and engage with it. Otherwise you run the risk of trying hasty ineffective fixes that may cause more grief and anxiety.
Sometimes we need to let go of our own timelines and deadlines. Sometimes we have to realize that we have got to do something different. And sometimes we need to accept that we just do not understand it all right now. By trusting the process we value our journey, appreciate all the experiences we are comprised of, determine our self worth, and claim what we deserve.
Read it once... read it again... begin to trust YOUR process. When you do, you will be pleasantly surprised by what you learn, the work you accomplish, and the peace you feel throughout.

There is a formula I often share with my clients. It is something I made up during grad school when trying to explain the process of therapy to clients, friends and family alike.  I thought it would be a good start to the Insight of the Week posts. Here is how it goes...
                                  Awareness + Insight = Change
                                         ↓                    ↓                  ↓
                                    What?          Why?         How?

Awareness answers the question WHAT. What is it that is going on, what is bothering me, or what is getting in the way of life?

Insight answers the question WHY. Why is this happening, where does this come from, and why now? Adds a deeper level of understanding to the WHAT.

Change answers the question HOW. How is this going to change, how will I take this information and do something different? Now that I know WHAT and WHY I can't help but find HOW to change ________.

"I don't know what is wrong with me but I know I can't keep feeling this way" or "I know I keep having relationship issues but I don't understand why this keeps happening" or "Tell me how to fix this" are examples of often what I hear clients say and honestly, what we all are thinking sometimes.

Clients come in at all stages of this formula and some come in having yet to start it. No matter where you are with this, it helps to manage what needs evaluating and shifting for your continued growth and happiness.

Take a look at the formula... WHERE do you fall?