My Therapy Journey
And Why I Think You Should Try It Too
Burnout consumed a huge part of my life between 2024 and 2026. As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, this period was one of the hardest chapters I’ve ever faced. Living with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, depression, financial stress, and the sudden loss of routine and purpose left me emotionally exhausted and mentally drained. (Click For More On This Subject)
Eventually, I was introduced to an NHS counsellor called Bobbie, and honestly, I didn’t really know what to expect from therapy.
During our first session, we spoke about my situation, my struggles, and what type of therapy might suit me best. Together, we decided that Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) would probably be the most helpful approach for me.
My therapy consisted of sixteen weekly 50-minute sessions.
At first, I went in with an open mind but also with a lot of uncertainty. I wasn’t really sure what therapy actually involved. I think, like many people, I had this stereotypical image in my head of awkward silences and cliché questions like, “How does that make you feel?”
But it wasn’t like that at all.
In fact, therapy turned out to be far more natural, subtle, and — dare I say it — enjoyable than I ever expected.
Bobbie was incredibly patient, kind, and easy to talk to. From the very beginning, she made me feel comfortable and safe. We also shared a similar sense of humour, which made discussing difficult topics feel much less intimidating.
One of the first things we did was create a timeline of my life. That process alone was emotional and eye-opening. I spoke about losing my mother suddenly when I was just four years old, and we gradually worked through different stages of my life — childhood, my teenage years, adulthood, and eventually the present day.
As the weeks passed, I found myself opening up more and more.
I talked about things I had never spoken about with anyone before.
And slowly, week by week, something started to change, I began to feel lighter.
My mood improved bit by bit, and for the first time in a very long time, I started to understand myself better.
My final therapy session with Bobbie is in two weeks, and when I look back at where I was mentally in 2025 compared to where I am now, the difference feels enormous. Recovery hasn’t been instant or perfect, but therapy has genuinely helped me move forward.
I now feel more aware of my emotional triggers, my warning signs, and the patterns that lead me toward burnout. Together, we created a wellness plan that I can use going forward to recognise when things are slipping and hopefully stop myself from reaching that dark place again.
What Is IPT Therapy?
Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) focuses mainly on the “here and now” rather than deeply analysing distant childhood experiences for years on end. It centres around four key areas:
- Grief and loss
- Relationship difficulties
- Major life transitions
- Loneliness and isolation
For me, the biggest focus was life transition.
Fibromyalgia changed almost every aspect of my life. I had to stop working because I was no longer well enough to continue. That brought huge lifestyle changes — loss of routine, loss of independence, financial hardship, friendship changes, and perhaps hardest of all, a loss of identity and purpose.
Therapy helped me process those changes.
I still don’t fully understand how therapy managed to change my outlook so much, but it genuinely did. It wasn’t painful or frightening like I’d imagined. Most weeks, I actually looked forward to going.
I’ve always believed in approaching support with an open mind. When you’re struggling, sometimes you have to be willing to try things that might help, even if they feel unfamiliar or uncomfortable at first.
So if you’ve been offered therapy or counselling and you feel nervous, uncertain, or even sceptical, my advice would simply be this:
Give it a genuine chance.
If it truly isn’t for you, you can always stop. But you might also discover that talking openly, feeling heard, and understanding yourself better can change your life more than you expected.
I’m incredibly grateful that I was given the opportunity to access therapy, and even more grateful that I accepted the help.
And finally, thank you, Bobbie, for helping me through one of the hardest periods of my life and supporting my burnout recovery journey.
