Therapy can be a great place to process and work through traumatic experiences. However, clients often report that this process can feel scary and/or uncomfortable. Clients report that thinking about these memories can feel so painful that it often feels easier just to push the thoughts back into the deepest and darkest corners of their mind.
When talking about trauma with clients, I like to use the metaphor of a refrigerator. Traumatic memories are a lot like moldy and rotten leftovers. The thought of opening that lid and letting out the foul stench can often feel so intimidating that it may feel easier to just clamp the lid down tighter and shove the container back as far as it will go on the shelf. While this may temporarily make things seem more pleasant, after a while, the stench of the food will begin to seep out. Eventually, if we do nothing, everything in the fridge will begin to smell and even taste like those leftovers.
While opening up the past may seem scary, as a therapist, we can help create a safe space to complete this work. Yes, the process may feel uncomfortable or scary at times, but in therapy, you won’t have to do the work alone. We can help pace the process appropriately as well as provide you with resources and tips to take care of yourself through the journey.
