Why do I feel worse after therapy sessions?
Identity & Self-Worth
Feeling worse after therapy is normal when processing difficult emotions; it often indicates you're doing important healing work.
Feeling worse after Psychotherapy sessions is actually quite common and often indicates that you're doing important emotional work rather than something being wrong with the process. Psychotherapy involves exploring painful experiences, challenging long-held beliefs, and processing emotions that you might have been avoiding or suppressing. This can initially feel destabilizing or overwhelming as you confront difficult truths about yourself, your Interpersonal relationship, or your past. When you start Psychotherapy, you might experience what therapists call 'getting worse before getting better' - a temporary increase in symptoms as you begin to address underlying issues. This happens because Psychotherapy often involves removing the coping mechanisms and defenses that have been protecting you from pain, even if those mechanisms weren't ultimately healthy. Without these familiar strategies, you might feel more vulnerable or emotionally raw for a while. The process of change itself can be uncomfortable, even when it's positive change. You might feel confused about your identity as old patterns are challenged, or anxious about implementing new ways of thinking and behaving. Sometimes Psychotherapy brings up memories or feelings that have been buried, which can be temporarily overwhelming. It's also normal to feel emotionally drained after sessions, especially if you've been discussing traumatic experiences or working through intense emotions. However, if you consistently feel significantly worse after sessions without any periods of relief or progress, it's worth discussing this with your therapist. They can help you understand whether this is a normal part of your emotional healing process or if adjustments need to be made to your treatment approach. Remember that Psychotherapy is often like cleaning out an infected wound - it might hurt initially, but it's necessary for proper healing. The temporary discomfort usually gives way to genuine relief and growth as you develop healthier ways of coping and relating to yourself and others.