Is it OK to cry in therapy?
Tears can help people heal from hurtful psychological experiences in life. Therefore crying is a cathartic process to help process repressed emotions.
You may be anxious about coming to therapy. Perhaps you may be concerned that you will cry and become overwhelmed. Strong emotions are OK and a space to cry is part of the process.
When I meet clients for the first time and they start to tell me a little about what brings them to therapy they often begin to cry. People usually apologise for their tears. As a result, I often hear things like “I promised myself I wouldn’t cry” or “I am now embarrassed and frustrated that I’m reaching for the tissues”.
I love this quote by Washington Irvin. I think it beautifully sums up what I’m attempting to say:
“There is a sacredness in tears.
They are not a mark of weakness, but of power.
They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues.
They are the messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition and of unspeakable love.”
Therapy is a safe confidential space for you to explore what’s going on for you and how to make changes in your life.
You are welcome here; tears included.
