Keep your head up. It may (and usually does) take multiple sessions before you notice progress. It is my hope for you that you leave each session feeling encouraged and changed, but do not worry if it takes time. Depending on past experiences, and who you naturally are as a person, may be factors in how quickly you make progress in therapy. If it takes time for you to open up, if it takes time for you to trust someone, give yourself (and your therapist!) grace and practice patience. 

Something that I have learned over the past few years is that it doesn’t help to keep it inside. I used to believe that holding my emotions close and keeping negative experiences to myself kept me safe. However, I have grown to understand that releasing emotions when I feel them and talking things through with a safe person is pivotal to living a healthy life. Depending on the season in my life, sometimes that person may be my husband, my mother, or a dear friend, and sometimes it is a trained professional. There is unique freedom when speaking with a therapist because they have no bias. They only know you and what you present during therapy sessions. They are able to give clear and profound advice without any preconceived notions. What an amazing opportunity to lay everything out there without fear of repercussions. A risk-free path to healing and freedom. 

The road to becoming a better version of yourself is a long one, but you don’t have to walk it alone! Take your therapist’s hand and let them guide you. Allow them to take the lead when you are feeling weak. There will be a time when you are ready to face challenges alone, and that is the ultimate goal of therapy, but it doesn’t have to be today.