I asked V. to bring some images that spoke of his psychotherapy journey. A question that didn't even have any reason to exist when I met young V. When I met V., the feeling of inadequacy was so strong that it had led her to renounce the outside world, denying herself even the interest in exploring it. Shyness, shame, insecurity, mistrust, and withdrawal are the key words that best described her and which found expression in a rigid, hypertensive body that manifested itself in avoidant behavior and a disturbance in genito-pelvic pain and penetration. ME: "What's the world like outside?" Psychotherapy helps us ask questions that open doors that we might not even have imagined at first. Psychotherapy helps the person recognize their own “blocks” and consciously choose how to face them, learning to recognize the real needs hidden behind the symptoms and the “lies” one tells oneself. Today V. takes away the awareness of having learned to love and be loved, allowing herself to live her life to the fullest with courage, confidence and curiosity. I am always thrilled to witness firsthand the precious changes that take place in the therapy room and then transform into daily experiences in the world outside. Io mi emoziono sempre ad assistere allo spettacolo meraviglioso di trasformazione, così come direbbe Perls (fondatore della psicoterapia della Gestalt), “di persone di carta in persone reali. Io mi emoziono sempre quando alla chiusura di un percorso, al momento dei saluti, le persone esprimono enorme gratitudine verso la relazione terapeutica, unico reale strumento di cambiamento. V. chose to say goodbye by giving me one of the images he had chosen to discuss our journey. The image depicts a scene from the film "Good Will Hunting" (also one of my favorite films, but V. didn't know that) in which the focus is on the essential, namely the relational space in which V, like the film's protagonist, has chosen to rewrite the existential script of his life. Recommended articles Fear of the outside world often stems from past experiences of insecurity, judgment, or failure. Psychotherapy helps us recognize these fears, understand their origins, and gradually address them, developing confidence in our abilities and our connection with others. Through the therapeutic relationship, individuals learn to know, accept, and value themselves. Psychotherapy helps transform internal criticism into awareness and understanding, fostering greater self-confidence and self-worth. Yes, it's completely normal. Psychotherapy touches deep parts of the self and can generate fear or resistance. These moments, if approached with empathy and without judgment, become opportunities for growth and transformation. Learning to love yourself means recognizing your needs, accepting your weaknesses, and respecting your limits. In therapy, this process is built step by step, learning to care for yourself authentically and no longer through judgment or self-deprecation. The therapeutic relationship is the heart of the healing process. It is a safe space, based on trust and listening, where the person can experience new ways of being and relating. It is precisely in the relationship that the possibility of change and rewriting one's story arises. Percorsi come questo iniziano da un primo colloquio: qui trovi come funziona la psychotherapy in Florence.
THE STORY OF THE YOUNG V. WHO LEARNED TO LOVE HERSELF AND TO LOVE
Among the many images, I was extremely struck by the evocative power of one of them.WHO KNOWS WHAT THE WORLD IS LIKE OUTSIDE?
ME: "What's the world like outside?"
V: “I'm not interested in the outside world. I feel it's dangerous and bigger than me”
Today, as we conclude our journey, we retrace the steps we've taken together and the therapeutic goals we've achieved. And to do so, we begin with the same question, which today has a completely different answer.
V: “It can be pleasant and unpleasant, but I'm no longer so afraid to face it to the point of convincing myself that I'm not interested in it.
The world outside interests me a lot and I'll tell you more... now if I don't face it I even have the feeling of having wasted an opportunity for growth...
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Why are some people afraid of the “outside world”?
2. How can psychotherapy help increase self-esteem?
3. Is it normal to feel resistance or fear during therapy?
4. What does “learning to love oneself” mean in psychotherapy?
5. What is the role of the therapeutic relationship in personal change?
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