What a thought-provoking piece Alanna. I'm in a somewhat fortunate position as my stepmum works in the mental health sector, so I've been brought up around some of these words. It's meant I've been called out if I've used them too casually, and it's definitely made me more mindful of how I use them. You're so right that simplicity and coming from the heart is often better - I think we could all work a bit harder to put ourselves in others' shoes and show kindness.
As I’m training to become a therapist, I think it’s really important to highlight this. I am guilty of it myself, mainly in the context of speaking to friends and it’s really hard to get out of these habits, but crucial to really “do the work” whatever that means. There’s no work or progress in therapy, there’s just humans doing their best to communicate with each other and to love themselves despite what life throws at them, but as you mention, sometimes it’s easier to conceptualise and over intellectualise situations to hide from our true feelings. Loved this. Thank you!
You manage to pinpoint exactly how I feel about therapy speak using simple words. It always makes me cringe when people use words like gaslighting or just diagnose people with things like ADHD casually. It feels like having a conversation with my TikTok feed. Of course I'm guilty of it too sometimes cause no one is perfect 😅
What a thought-provoking piece Alanna. I'm in a somewhat fortunate position as my stepmum works in the mental health sector, so I've been brought up around some of these words. It's meant I've been called out if I've used them too casually, and it's definitely made me more mindful of how I use them. You're so right that simplicity and coming from the heart is often better - I think we could all work a bit harder to put ourselves in others' shoes and show kindness.
Aw thank you Soph! I know, I’m so guilty of it too 😂
As I’m training to become a therapist, I think it’s really important to highlight this. I am guilty of it myself, mainly in the context of speaking to friends and it’s really hard to get out of these habits, but crucial to really “do the work” whatever that means. There’s no work or progress in therapy, there’s just humans doing their best to communicate with each other and to love themselves despite what life throws at them, but as you mention, sometimes it’s easier to conceptualise and over intellectualise situations to hide from our true feelings. Loved this. Thank you!
Aw thank you! I love what you’re saying about therapy not actually being “work”, you’re so right. It’s just an ongoing communication! X
You manage to pinpoint exactly how I feel about therapy speak using simple words. It always makes me cringe when people use words like gaslighting or just diagnose people with things like ADHD casually. It feels like having a conversation with my TikTok feed. Of course I'm guilty of it too sometimes cause no one is perfect 😅