3 Things Your Therapist Wants You to Know*

*But might not tell you.

Therapy can be a transformative experience, especially for new moms. We want excel at providing people with the tools and support they need to navigate challenges, improve mental health, and build better relationships – and we succeed at helping women all over Illinois do that!

However, new mom therapy, postpartum therapy and therapy for women in general is a team effort between the therapist and the patient. With that in mind, there are a few things you may not know —but are important to understand. These insights can help you get the most out of your therapy sessions and manage expectations along your journey toward healing, recovery and a better you.

1. You’re Doing Most of the Work

Therapy isn’t a quick fix; it’s a process that requires active participation from the patient. A good therapist provides guidance, techniques, and insights, but the true progress happens between sessions, when you apply what you’ve learned to real-life situations. You are main captain of the ship in terms of controlling of your healing journey. We can provide a roadmap – but you have to do the driving.

Why It Matters:

Patients sometimes expect the therapist to “solve” their problems, but real change occurs when you commit to working on yourself outside of sessions. Whether it's practicing mindfulness, implementing coping strategies, or confronting difficult emotions, progress depends on your effort.

2. Therapy Takes Time

Therapists are careful not to promise quick results, but one thing that we find women sometimes underestimate is how long the process of healing can take. This can be different for every person. But in general, while you might experience small breakthroughs early on, deeper changes—especially those tied to trauma, long-standing habits, or chronic mental health issues—can take months, even years. This isn’t to discourage you, but rather to set realistic expectations. Therapy is about gradual growth, and it’s important to be patient with yourself.

Why It Matters:

If you enter therapy expecting to see immediate results, you might feel disillusioned if things don’t change right away. Understanding that therapy is a long-term investment helps you stay motivated and committed, even when progress feels slow.

3. Therapists Really Do Care About Their Clients

While therapists are trained to remain nonjudgmental and provide unbiased support, we are human beings with our own backgrounds, beliefs, and biases, emotions, and lives outside of session. Therapist are trained to hold the therapeutic relationship in high-regard. We can’t be friends with our clients, we are careful to limit our self-disclose to only what benefits our clients, and we are careful to respect our clients confidentiality if we see them in public. This are not done to appear cold or aloff - it is to ensure that your sessions continue to feel like a safe space for you to focus on your own emotions and growth. However, we do get to know our clients very well, and we do truly care about their well-being. We are saddened by your sadness, proud of your progress, and applaud your growth. Your well-being is why we do what we do, and, for the vast majority of us, it is more than just a “job”. In short, we care.

Why It Matters:
Your therapist is committed and invested in your wellness journey. We are here to help, and if something isn’t helping, we want you to tell us so we can adjust our approach.

While these three things might not always be spoken aloud, understanding them can help you approach therapy with more clarity and patience. Remember, therapy is a partnership, and being informed allows you to take an active, empowered role in your own healing. We would love to be your partner in your healing journey – for more information, feel free to reach out for a consultation.