Being a therapist can sometimes feel like stepping into someone’s wardrobe. Clients arrive with a chaotic tangle of clothes, shoes, and accessories, some buried under years of dust, others barely holding together at the seams. They might not even realise how messy it has become until we start pulling everything out and piling it onto the floor.
At first, it can feel overwhelming. There are sentimental pieces they cannot bear to part with, even if they haven’t fit in years. There are items they have been told they should wear, but never really liked. And then there are the random odd socks, mismatched and mysteriously clinging on, serving no real purpose.
Our role is not to judge the mess but to sit alongside them as we sift through it all. We hold up each piece and ask the important questions. Does this still serve you? Does it fit the person you are now? What would it feel like to let it go?
Some things are easy to discard, a shirt they kept out of obligation or shoes that never quite fit. Others take more time and care. There might be tears or resistance as they say goodbye to parts of their past. And that is okay. The process is not about rushing. It is about making space.
Once the wardrobe is clearer, we can consider what is missing. Maybe it is time for something new, a colour they have never dared to try or a pair of shoes that feel strong and supportive. Slowly, carefully, we put everything back, neater than it was before, with room to grow.
The beauty of this work is not just in tidying up. It is in helping clients see their wardrobe, their life, with fresh eyes. To recognise that they have the power to choose what they keep, what they leave behind, and what they will try on next.
Take the first step towards clarity and healing – get in touch today. Jonnylindsaycounselling@gmail.com
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