Crying in therapy is normal, healthy, and encouraged; it's a sign of emotional release, deeper processing, and connection, helping to release stress hormones and gain insight into pain, trauma, or grief, while a therapist provides a safe, nonjudgmental space, offers support (like tissues or gentle acknowledgment), and guides you in exploring the underlying feelings, helping you feel calmer and more understood. It signals you're engaging deeply and allows for genuine healing, rather than suppressing emotions.
Validation: Therapists recognize that tears can be a natural and important part of the therapeutic process. Crying can signify a breakthrough or the release of pent-up emotions, which can be validating for both the therapist and the client.
When a client cries, therapists usually do the following: being present silently, nodding, compassionately ``hmmm''ing, more validating words.
That is, how the crying experience is perceived or internalized by the client is strongly linked with their experience of the strength or weakness of the therapeutic relationship. Crying events thus have the potential to deepen the therapeutic relationship, reflect the existing bond in treatment, or both.
For sure! Crying can be an amazing breakthrough, I personally don't often feel things during therapy since I can't connect emotionally to the things I experienced. So as you said if it's something you struggle with it's amazing to finally expose yourself like that :)
It goes without saying that clients experience emotions in a range of different ways and we should not expect a certain “standard” around emotional expression. Profuse crying—unless there is a safety risk—should not be judged, just as we should not judge a lack of crying, even if we think it's warranted.
12 signs your therapy is working
Scientists believe that crying can make you feel physically and emotionally better. 'Having a good cry' is thought to rid the body of toxins and waste products which build up during times of elevated stress – so it's logical then that a person with PTSD may cry much more often that someone without the condition!
Red Flags to Watch for in a First Therapy Session
Judgment or dismissal: You should feel heard, not minimized. Poor boundaries: Oversharing by the therapist or pressuring you to disclose. No clarity: Vague policies, unclear fees, or reluctance to answer questions.
As a result, students may be led to believe that therapists must remain strong and neutral, and that tears are unprofessional and undermine a therapist's strictly defined role. Yet tears are common for many therapists, research suggests.
Estimates suggest that crying occurs in 15-30% of therapy sessions (Bylsma et al., 2021). Nevertheless, it is only in recent years that the first articles on this subject have been published (Capps Umphlet et al., 2021; Genova et al., 2020; Katz et al., 2022; Knox et al., 2017; Zingaretti et al., 2017).
Many factors may signal that therapy isn't working for you: You feel judged by your therapist. Your therapist talks about themselves a lot or makes the session about them. You aren't meeting your goals.
The point is, none of this is new or unusual for therapists. Clients leave all the time—it's intrinsic to the process—and they feel awkward about saying goodbye. And every time a client leaves, we feel the loss. It's certainly painful for me even after 40 years of doing this.
This decision is made on a case-by-case basis. If they decide that a hug could be therapeutic and will not cause any harm, then many therapists will offer a hug. They will also consider their personal level of comfort with a hug, since therapists are human too.
Defining a breakthrough in therapy
It represents the unlocking of new understanding, self-awareness, and the resolution of deep-seated issues or challenges. A breakthrough can manifest as a sudden realisation, a cathartic emotional release, or a gradual shift in perception and behaviour.
Client Abandonment
You or your therapist have the option of ending care at any time. However, abandonment happens when a therapist abruptly ends services when care is still necessary. Instead, termination of services should be carefully thought out and discussed by both parties.
The 2-year rule is APA's way of acknowledging that life holds few absolutes; many continua need to be considered. Thus, the Ethics Code includes an absolute prohibition against sex with former clients for a period of two years following termination.
Some clients may be familiar with the “3 C's” which is a formalized process for doing both the above techniques (Catch it, Check it, Change it). If so, practice and encourage them to apply the 3 C's to self- stigmatizing thoughts.
7 Clear Signs Your Body Is Releasing Stored Trauma
'Crying for long periods of time releases oxytocin and endogenous opioids, otherwise known as endorphins. These feel-good chemicals can help ease both physical and emotional pain. Once the endorphins are released, your body may go into somewhat of a numb stage. Oxytocin can give you a sense of calm or well-being.
The 'fight or flight' response is how people sometimes refer to our body's automatic reactions to fear. There are actually 5 of these common responses, including 'freeze', 'flop' and 'friend', as well as 'fight' or 'flight'.
You can only be given medication after an initial 3-month period in either of the following situations: You consent to taking the medication. A SOAD confirms that you lack capacity. You haven't given consent, but a SOAD confirms that this treatment is appropriate to be given.
Five common signs of poor mental health include persistent sadness or extreme mood swings, withdrawing from friends and activities, significant changes in sleep or appetite, difficulty concentrating or coping with daily life, and neglecting personal hygiene or having unusual thoughts like paranoia or hallucinations. Recognizing these changes in yourself or others, especially when they're prolonged or interfere with daily functioning, signals a need for support.
Here are 10 errors commonly made by counselors, therapists, and other helping professionals: