What is therapy really like once you step inside the room? Does it look like the versions we see on television and in films, or is the reality something quite different?

In this episode of Let's Open Up: About Therapy, Dr Ruth Schumacher continues her conversation with Misha as she reflects on her expectations of therapy before she started and how those expectations compared to her real experience.

Misha shares how she initially imagined therapy as a detached conversation with a therapist sitting behind a desk. Instead, she discovered a collaborative process that encouraged self-reflection, practical learning, and personal growth. She talks openly about completing exercises between sessions, working through emotions that surfaced during therapy, and the importance of giving herself time to process what she was learning.

Together, Ruth and Misha explore:

• What Misha expected therapy to be like before starting
• How her actual experience challenged common misconceptions about therapy
• The role of homework and practising skills between sessions
• Working at a pace that felt supportive and manageable
• Why personal reflection and self-care were important during therapy
• The idea of "learning fast but processing slowly"
• Making sense of emotions, thoughts and long-standing patterns

This honest conversation offers valuable insight into the therapeutic process and highlights that therapy is often about more than what happens during a session. Real change can continue to develop between appointments as new ideas, emotions and perspectives begin to take shape.

Please note: Misha's experience is unique to her. NHS Talking Therapies offers a range of evidence-based therapies, and each person's treatment journey will be tailored to their individual needs.

Find out more about Hertfordshire and Mid Essex Talking Therapies and refer yourself via our website: www.hpft-talkingtherapies.nhs.uk

Follow ‘Let's Open Up’ Therapy on your preferred podcast platform so you never miss an episode.

Connect with us on social media: @HPFTTalkingTherapies

Coming up next: Hear from Tap, a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner working within NHS Hertfordshire and Mid Essex Talking Therapies as we continue to explore what therapy is really like, how it works, and what you can expect when reaching out for support.

How can therapy help you change lifelong patterns and respond differently to difficult situations?

In this second episode of Let's Open Up: About Therapy, Dr Ruth Schumacher continues her conversation with Misha as she reflects on the lasting impact of her one-to-one Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

Misha shares how therapy helped her become more aware of her thoughts, behaviours and self-worth, enabling her to break unhelpful patterns and set healthier boundaries. She talks openly about learning to pause before reacting, understanding her triggers, and responding to challenging situations in ways that better support her wellbeing.

Together, Ruth and Misha explore:

• How the behavioural side of CBT helped create positive change
• Recognising and breaking lifelong patterns of people-pleasing
• Learning to respond rather than react to difficult situations
• Building self-awareness, boundaries and self-worth
• The impact therapy had on Misha's relationships and daily life
• Her advice for anyone considering seeking support

In an honest reflection, Misha describes therapy as life-changing and explains why she felt compelled to thank her therapist for the difference it made.

Please note: Misha's experience is unique to her. NHS Talking Therapies offers a range of evidence-based therapies, and each person's treatment journey will be tailored to their individual needs.

Find out more about Hertfordshire and Mid Essex Talking Therapies and refer yourself via our website: www.hpft-talkingtherapies.nhs.uk

Follow ‘Let's Open Up’ on your preferred podcast platform so you never miss an episode.

Connect with us on social media: @HPFTTalkingTherapies

Coming up next: Misha reflects on her expectations of therapy, how the reality compared to what she imagined, and what surprised her most about the experience.

What is therapy really like? What happens in a session? And can it actually help?

In the first episode of Let's Open Up: About Therapy, host Dr Ruth Schumacher speaks with Misha, who shares her personal experience of accessing NHS Hertfordshire and Mid Essex Talking Therapies following years of difficult experiences and emotional challenges.

After her son asked a simple question, "Mum, why don't you go to therapy?", Misha decided to give it a try. What followed was a journey that would help her better understand herself, challenge long-held beliefs, and learn practical tools to improve her wellbeing.

Together, Ruth and Misha explore:

• What led Misha to seek therapy
• Her first experiences of group and one-to-one therapy
• Working with a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist (CBT)
• How thought diaries helped her recognise and challenge unhelpful thinking patterns
• The impact therapy had on her self-awareness and confidence

This honest and inspiring conversation offers a real-life glimpse into therapy and may help answer some of the questions you have about taking that first step.

Please note: Misha's experience is unique to her. NHS Talking Therapies offers a range of evidence-based therapies, and each person's journey will be tailored to their individual needs.

Find out more about Hertfordshire and Mid Essex Talking Therapies and refer yourself via our website: www.hpft-talkingtherapies.nhs.uk 

Follow ‘Let's Open Up’ on your preferred podcast platform to be the first to hear new episodes.

Connect with us on social media: @HPFTTalkingTherapies

Coming up next: Misha shares more about her therapy journey, including behavioural strategies she learned through Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and a message of encouragement for anyone considering therapy.

Before we open up about therapy, let's start with the basics.

In this bonus episode, Dr Ruth Schumacher introduces Hertfordshire and Mid Essex Talking Therapies and explains some of the common words and phrases you'll hear throughout the series.

Whether you're curious about therapy, considering seeking support yourself, or simply want to better understand how NHS Talking Therapies works, this episode provides a helpful introduction.

Together, we'll explore:

• What NHS Talking Therapies is
• How to access support and self-refer
• Common terms such as CBT, PWP and high-intensity therapy
• The different types of support available
• What to expect from this podcast series
• Why every therapy journey is unique

This episode is designed as a guide to help you get the most from the conversations that follow.

Find out more about Hertfordshire and Mid Essex Talking Therapies and refer yourself via our website: www.hpft-talkingtherapies.nhs.uk

Follow ‘Let's Open Up’ on your preferred podcast platform to hear new episodes as they're released.

Connect with us on social media: @HPFTTalkingTherapies

Next up: Misha shares her personal story about what led her to therapy after her son asked 'Mum, why don't you go to therapy?'

Something new is coming to Hertfordshire and Mid Essex Talking Therapies.

Let's Open Up... is a new mental health podcast from HPFT Talking Therapies, exploring emotional wellbeing through honest conversations with people who have lived experience, mental health professionals and special guests.

Whether you're in therapy, supporting someone you love, working in mental health, or simply interested in wellbeing, this podcast is for you.

Topics include:

What therapy is really like
Perinatal mental health
Living with physical health conditions
Neurodiversity
Emotional wellbeing and more

Launching on 16 September with three episodes available from day one, followed by a new episode every fortnight.

Follow now on your preferred podcast platform and be part of the conversation.

Follow us on social media: @HPFTTalkingTherapies