What has therapy taught me?
What I do has been talked through with my therapist. They approve and encourage how I am healing myself.
1: I'm a firm believer in therapy if you have access to it, especially if you had a hard life.
2: Nearly every therapist I've had has encouraged me to bring a stuffed animal with me when I leave the house for comfort. I deal with complex mental health conditions so anything I can do to make life more comfortable I am finally open to doing.
3: SFW Age Regression and letting your inner kid be happy can be two completely different things but for me they work together. This includes bringing a toy with me when I go places.
4: Through my Treatment Resistant Depression I struggle with finding pleasure and joy in things I once enjoyed doing. I'm working on finding that again. I want to get into painting again. Writing again could be fun. I'm open to hobby suggestions.
5: I can sometimes have control issues. If I can't control a situation I'm in my anxiety and intrusive thoughts go haywire. I'm absolutely working on this as I believe this will heal something in me.
Therapy has been a journey of self-discovery and healing for many, including myself. One of the most unexpected but effective strategies that therapists recommend is carrying a stuffed animal or comfort toy when you leave the house. This small act can provide emotional security and a tangible reminder that helps soothe anxiety in overwhelming situations. It’s a simple tool but can make a significant difference in managing complex mental health challenges. Embracing age regression as a therapeutic coping mechanism can also be liberating. It doesn’t necessarily mean regressing in a harmful way, but rather allowing your inner child to express happiness and feel safe. For me, this has involved blending Safe For Work (SFW) age regression with bringing along toys that remind me of happy, carefree times. It’s a way to nurture parts of myself that have been neglected or wounded, helping me heal trauma by reconnecting with joy. Treatment Resistant Depression can make the search for pleasure feel impossible. One of the hardest lessons therapy has taught me is patience and persistence in rediscovering joy. Whether it’s picking up painting again or exploring writing, re-engaging with hobbies can be a gradual but rewarding process. Feeling open to suggestions and experimentation is crucial to finding what sparks interest and pleasure anew. Control issues often surface when anxiety and intrusive thoughts escalate. Therapy helped me recognize the link between my need for control and my mental health struggles. Working on acceptance and mindfulness has been vital. While it’s difficult to relinquish control, doing so is part of healing underlying wounds, reducing anxiety, and improving overall wellbeing. Healing through therapy isn’t about sudden transformations but steady steps forward. Comfort items, connecting with your inner child, actively pursuing joy, and addressing control issues all contribute to a compassionate, gentle journey toward better mental health. For anyone going through similar challenges, remember small changes and self-compassion can be powerful tools on your healing path.
