I am so relieved. I am no longer the only person in the world who loves psychotherapy! OK. I was never the only person in the world who loves therapy but for as long as I can remember there has been a serious stigma against it. You were crazy if you were seeing a therapist or you were weak or you were shamefully revealing family secrets that were supposed to remain buried forever. Am I right?
I loved therapy so much that I became a therapist. Now I get paid for spending my days within the deep, dark, rich, psychospiritual worlds of humans who are courageously choosing to do the work to mend their broken hearts and reconfigure, recalibrate, restore, and revive their authentic rainforest-minded sweet selves. How is that for a fascinating career path? And now, it appears, I am popular my services are in demand!
How do I know therapy is popular?
There are clues.
These recent articles in the NY Times report how singles looking to date have added ‘been in therapy’ to their requirements.
How the Language of Therapy Took Over Dating. “…Therapy-related words and phrases have trickled into workplaces, surfaced at schools and galvanized people online. But the proliferation of these terms among daters represents a distinct shift. “In the ’50s, or even the ’80s, it would be hard to imagine that saying ‘I see my therapist regularly’ would have status,” …taking care of one’s mental health carries social currency in some spheres…”
Seeking Relationship, Therapy Required. “…Gen-Z and younger millennials are much more likely to seek mental health help than older generations, according to a 2018 survey by the American Psychological Association. The pandemic also brought mental health even more into the mainstream, making it something people make into priority and talk about openly…Many singles, rather than looking for someone of a certain height or a particular profession, are now saying they want someone who works on their mental health. They are advertising their requirements on their dating profiles. In 2021 the mention of therapy in Tinder members’ bios increased 25 percent, according to the company. (“Emotionally stable” went up 12 percent and “emotionally mature,” 47 percent.) Hinge surveyed its users in November and found that 91 percent of them prefer to date someone in therapy…”
Then, there are the recent TV programs. On AppleTV+, Ted Lasso, Ted and members of his soccer team see a therapist, in more than one episode, I might add. Clearly the therapist is making a difference. Then, there is a newer program called Shrinking, that explores the lives of therapists in a way that makes them human but also suggests psychotherapy is a complicated, yet, necessary adventure. On ABC, in a recent episode of the program Station 19, one character is shown working through childhood trauma doing quite powerful inner child work with a therapist. This is unprecedented. Over the years, from what I have seen, therapists and therapy have not been portrayed positively in the media. Finally, that appears to be changing.
One of the writers for the show Shrinking, who also happens to be on Ted Lasso, Brett Goldstein, had this to say in an NPR interview:
“I’ve always been interested in therapy and therapists… It’s quite a unique relationship between a therapist and a patient. The fact that they can know more about you than anyone.. And yet it’s professional and you’re paying them to listen and there are boundaries…This relationship can go on for years and years. …There’s no other relationship like it, I don’t think. There’s no equivalent…” He mentions later in the interview that he has benefitted from therapy himself along with several of the other writers and actors on the shows.
So, my dears, this is good news. And not just for my future career stability! It has always been my contention that a significant source of the dysfunction in society is due to how we raise our children and how often unhealed trauma gets passed on from one generation to the next. Granted, it is all quite complex but surely healing from childhood abuse and neglect in a safe, compassionate, therapeutic container with an experienced practitioner who also does their own inner work, would improve life on planet earth.
If you are already in therapy, thank you! It is not an easy road and there will likely be moments when you want to quit. Don’t. If you have been thinking about it and are hesitating, there is no better time. There is a list of therapists who work with gifted folks in the US, here. I know of a therapist in France, a few in Brazil, Holland, Belgium, and Spain. There are coaches, if you prefer, who know the rainforest mind. And, as you know, there are times when body workers, acupuncturists, and energy healers are what you need. I know that these services can be expensive but many practitioners provide sliding scale payments, if you ask. There are also agencies and university training programs that charge lower rates. There are free 12 Step groups.
Have I convinced you yet? If not, here is one more clue. There are therapists on Instagram who have thousands of followers! This might be a place to begin. You could start with Yasmine Cheyenne or Nedra Tawwab. And, remember, not only will you be mending your broken heart and restoring and reviving your authenticity, you will also be improving life on planet earth.
And, well, most importantly, you will be popular on dating sites!
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To my bloggEEs: Let us know what you think. If you know of a particularly wonderful therapist in your area or you are one or a coach or other healing arts practitioner for rainforest minds, please share your contact information and location here! And thank you, as always, for your loving presence. Much love to you all.
(Note: Just in case you are wondering, I am only licensed in Oregon so can’t see counseling clients outside of my state–and I’m not taking new therapy clients. So, this is not an ad for my services! (I do consultations, as you know, but those are not about addressing trauma, but about the gifted topics.) I know it is hard to find the right fit, because of that rainforest mind of yours. But don’t give up! If you get involved with the SENG group or GHF, you might ask for referrals for good practitioners in your area.)
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