Therapy That Finally Worked

To (Name Removed), my therapist kind and true

I pen these words of gratitude to you

Though uncommon it may be, a poem I send

To express the thanks I struggle to comprehend

In your presence, I’ve witnessed a profound change

A transformation in my life, beautifully arranged

While I know the effort comes from within

Your dedication and empathy let the healing begin

Opening up has always been a challenge for me

Yet you invested time, creating a safe space to see

That for the first time, I took steps to recover

Putting genuine effort, my soul to rediscover

In this vast world of therapy, it’s rare to find

Someone so passionate, with a heart kind

You truly care for your client’s well-being

And that’s the essence of why I’m now freeing

Honestly flows effortlessly from my lips

As we work together, mending life’s nips

Your support and guidance, unwavering and true

Have made a world of difference, helping me through

So, thank you, (Name Removed), for all that you do

For believe in me and helping my spirit renew

This poem may be unconventional, but I hope you’ll see

The depths of my gratitude, forever it will be

By the time this post goes live, I’ll be 39 years old—and I’ve been in and out of therapy since I was about four or five. But not for trauma. I was labeled “defiant,” and sent to therapy as a kid because my behavior was too much for my mother to handle. Spoiler alert: my behavior was the result of trauma, but no one cared to look deeper.

I’ve had some truly terrible experiences with therapists. Most didn’t see me. A couple were kind but forgettable. A few stood out—three, to be exact, once I returned to my home state at age 31. One helped keep me alive during a dark time, and yeah—he bent the rules to do it. (Sometimes, the rules are wrong.)

But the therapist I’m with now? This one changed everything.

It took nearly a year before I could open up. A whole year of slow trust-building. But he never pushed. Never rushed. Just showed up, consistently, with compassion, boundaries, and genuine presence. He’s trauma-certified, he’s done his own work, and it shows. I’ve made more progress in this space than I have in decades. And it’s not just me—my friends and family see it too. Everything started changing for the better once I started working with him.

I wrote that poem for him during a time when I couldn’t say what I was feeling out loud. It became a tool—not just of expression, but of growth. He helped me understand that writing is my voice. He’s also helped me become a better therapist myself, as I now share those same techniques with my own clients. Because of his guidance, I’m not just healing—I’m helping others heal too.

And yeah, I know therapists don’t do this work for recognition. But a little gratitude goes a long way. Sometimes, it’s what keeps people going.

So if you're reading this and you're a therapist: thank you. If you’re a client still searching for the right fit—don’t give up. They’re out there. Healing is slow. But it is possible.