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Ah, here I am again, feeling those familiar nerves flutter as I prepare to embark on a topic that’s been tugging at my thoughts lately. It’s one of those subjects that I’ve only scratched the surface of, but I’m eager to dive deeper. Lately, I’ve been reflecting on the profound impact my own journey through trauma has had on my therapeutic practice and the positive outcomes it has facilitated with my clients. The distinction between knowing and believing has become a focal point of our discussions.

To me, knowing is visceral—it’s anchored in personal experience, undeniable and unwavering. I know something to be true because I’ve lived it, felt it in every fiber of my being. Believing, however, is different. It requires trust and faith in something beyond tangible evidence. It’s holding onto a truth despite uncertainty, guided by conviction rather than certainty.

So, how does this philosophical musing intersect with therapy?
Through my own process of healing and witnessing the transformative power of therapy, I’ve come to know unequivocally that it works. This knowing has propelled me to integrate my personal healing journey into my therapeutic approach. Surprisingly, I’ve found that while numerous therapeutic models exist, few explicitly guide therapists in this integration process. Yet, upon closer examination, I’ve discovered that many of these models—such as Internal Family Systems (IFS), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)—emerged from therapists’ personal encounters with the phenomena they were observing. They crafted these models based on their lived experiences and the language they used to articulate their experiences.

Now, imagine if every therapist followed suit—drawing from their own healing journeys to develop models that authentically resonate with what truly works. This isn’t about regurgitating textbook knowledge or blindly adhering to a guru’s teachings. It’s about authentically embracing what we know to be effective because we’ve seen it firsthand, in our own lives and the lives of our clients. It’s about bringing our whole selves into the therapy room ethically, honoring our clients’ autonomy and unique paths to healing.

As therapists, we occupy a unique vantage point—one that grants us intimate insight into how interventions truly impact lives. It’s our duty, our privilege even, to harness this knowledge and tailor it to each client’s individual needs, guided by both professional ethics and our personal experiences of healing. This, I believe, is the essence of making a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve—a fusion of personal wisdom and professional expertise, rooted in authenticity and fueled by compassion.