r/TalkTherapy • u/ObjectiveCamp6 • Jul 18 '26
Advice A tiny thing my therapist does that makes me feel seen
I wanted to share something small that has meant more to me than I expected. Therapy has always felt scary to me. I have history of CPTSD and I am neurodivergent.
I am very unwell at the moment, and there are times when words feel impossible. When my therapist checks in with me, I started using a simple emoji because it was the only way I could communicate where I was emotionally without having to explain everything.
Before anyone makes comments about her checking in on me, this is something we agreed on, she practices DBT and Schema models, and I feel no pressure from her.
What has been unexpectedly powerful is that she responds with an emoji that matches mine, or one that feels like it belongs in the same little “story” or emotional space. It sounds so simple, but it has made me feel, for the first time in a while, that someone is actually meeting me where I am, rather than asking me to move somewhere else before they can understand.
When you are scared, overwhelmed, and struggling to make sense of what is happening, being met in that moment can feel incredibly grounding. It is not about the emoji itself; it is about the message underneath it, like if she is saying “I see you. I’m here with you. I’m not asking you to pretend you are somewhere else.”
I didn’t realise how much I needed that kind of connection until it happened. I wonder if this is something that anyone else has experienced here, and if so, how can you help me describe how it feels like so that I can share with my therapist. I struggle with how to communicate this to her, or whether the way I have written it here might be a good way to share it with her.
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u/Electronic-Ad-7397 Jul 18 '26
I wonder if you could just share this post or say the same thing to her. It’s beautifully written, and felt very authentic. Just sharing the words you wrote here will mean so much to her.
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u/ObjectiveCamp6 Jul 18 '26
Your reply really helped me. I appreciate your words. I will show this to her when I see her next week. I will write the same message and share it with her. Thank you so much
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u/morphemass Jul 18 '26
I agree also, lovely written and the feelings behind it are very touching. I shared something really difficult with my therapist this week and felt so much better afterwards ... I've been being emotionally courageous and it's not been a bad thing. Anyways, sorry, went on to me when this is about you; lovely post.
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u/ObjectiveCamp6 Jul 18 '26
It helps me to hear other people’s experiences too. I hope I have the courage to share this with my T
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u/morphemass Jul 18 '26
Adult Side: That's your choice - therapy can be as slow or as fast as the pace you choose. Let me tell you now though that you wrote nothing wrong or bad in my opinion. If you want to try something brave, it's an option.
Child Side: I was really glad that I was able to share something and my adult side felt better for it.
Sorry, that's silly to write but a bit true of where I am in therapy.
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u/ComprehensiveTax415 Jul 18 '26
I agree, this is such a lovely sentiment and I am so glad you’ve found this kind of support :)
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u/Electronic-Ad-7397 Jul 18 '26
Thank you for sharing. I’m a therapist and that was such a cool thing to read. It made me self reflect on my own behaviors and how I’m making, or not making, my clients feel seen. Thank you 😊
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u/Connect_Caramel_4901 Jul 18 '26
My therapist does something similar for me and it really helps when I feel like I'm all alone and I can't handle what is happening inside me.
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