Why Healing Isn’t Linear — Insights From a Therapist Who’s Been There
What I’ve Learned as an Anxiety & Relationship Therapist: Michelle Pettengill, LCSW Reflections on Healing, Presence, and Small Brave Steps When I became a therapist, I thought my role would be about helping people “work through their stuff.” What I didn’t realize was how deeply this work would change me . Over the years, I’ve sat with people in moments of anxiety so strong they could barely take a deep breath. I’ve talked with couples who love each other deeply but feel miles apart. I’ve listened to stories of exhaustion, burnout, and the quiet thought so many carry: "I should be able to handle this… but I can’t." Healing Happens in the Messy Middle If there’s one thing my clients have taught me, it’s that healing doesn’t happen in perfect, linear steps. It’s not a straight climb from “stuck” to “better.” It happens in the messy middle—the place where life feels overwhelming, yet you still find the courage to try again. It’s the moment you notice your shoulders drop...