What can clients expect from the process of uncovering and re-evaluating long-held beliefs or values, especially when these are deeply rooted in cultural or familial contexts?

Uncovering and re-evaluating deeply held beliefs is a transformative but often challenging process. Many of these beliefs stem from early experiences, familial expectations, or cultural norms that shaped how we see ourselves and the world. In therapy, clients have the opportunity to explore these beliefs in a safe, accepting environment, gradually disentangling which serve them and which no longer align with their present sense of self.

For example, I’ve worked with clients grappling with beliefs rooted in feeling abandoned by their parents and primary caregivers. One client in his 40s felt bad about going to boarding school and felt abandoned by being sent to boarding school. He felt unable to feel emotions. By listening and empathising in a safe environment he worked through his feelings and became more understanding toward his parents and became accepting towards his parents and himself. Such explorations can be emotional and require patience, but they also pave the way for profound self-discovery.

This process isn’t about discarding the past but understanding it. Clients often uncover how their beliefs were adaptive at one time. Over time, they begin to redefine their values, choosing those that resonate with who they are today. Therapy becomes a journey of self-empowerment, allowing clients to integrate their history into a narrative that supports their future. While challenging, the rewards are immense—clients often describe feeling lighter, clearer, and more aligned with their true selves.: