The Luella Jonk Show

Episode #55: Therapy Is Hard Work - Why It Hurts But Heals


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In this solo episode, I get brutally honest about what therapy should actually accomplish - and spoiler alert: it's not about making you feel warm and fuzzy. Inspired by a candid conversation with a long-term client who's been seeing me for 8 years, I break down the real reasons people invest in therapy and why so many are doing it wrong.

I'll walk you through:

✅ Why objectivity matters more than validation (and why your therapist shouldn't be your cheerleader)

✅ How accountability in therapy creates lasting change versus endless venting sessions

✅ The uncomfortable truth about why real growth requires sitting in your hurt

✅ Why prevention is key - and how therapy is like preventive medicine for your emotional health

✅ The difference between a therapist and your grandmother (hint: one should challenge you)

✅ How our "me-first" culture is destroying relationships and why therapy should push back against that

I also dive into the modern distractions we use to avoid looking at ourselves - from endless scrolling to background noise - and why being comfortable with silence is crucial for real self-awareness. Whether you're considering therapy, currently in therapy, or wondering why your sessions aren't creating change, this episode will challenge how you think about the therapeutic process.

🔔 Remember: Real therapy isn't about feeling good in the moment - it's about becoming the person who can love your neighbor as yourself, even when it's hard.

If you're ready for a therapist who won't just appease you, I'm accepting new clients. But fair warning - we're going to do the uncomfortable work together.

============================================================================

As mentioned in this episode, here are the links to some of the interviews I had with past clients:

Client Interview: Stop Lying to Yourself 

Life After an Affair: A Past Client's Journey Through Betrayal

A Client's Journey Towards Self-Love and Using Prayer Intentionally

Releasing Yourself from a Toxic Relationship: Conversations from the Couch

...more
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The Luella Jonk ShowBy Dr. Luella Jonk, PhD

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