The Therapist Poetry Podcast

Hello and welcome back to Healing Through Poetry! This is episode two, and today we’re joined by guest poet Rebecca from RJ Counselling. I’m going to hand it over to you to introduce yourself.

Hi! I’m Rebecca from RJ Counselling, a private practice counsellor based in Norwich. This is a poem I literally wrote the other night after reflecting on finishing with one of my clients. I thought I’d share it because poetry can be a great way to put emotions into words. It’s also an excellent processing tool to help regulate and keep calm. Not all poetry has to be negative; sometimes, it can be positive too.

Is poetry something that you’ve used before?

Yes, it is a tool I use within my own practice sometimes, and I’ve also personally used it in previous counselling for myself. It’s a fantastic therapeutic tool and is often used either during sessions or as homework for clients after they leave.

Great! I’m going to hand it over to you for your poem.

Sure, thank you. It’s called “It’s Not About Me, It’s About You.”

It’s not about me, it’s about you,

But I can’t deny what this means

In a therapeutic bond we both hold.

When I cry, I carry you;

When you laugh, I carry you;

And when you rejoice, I rejoice too.

This isn’t a transaction;

This is human to human,

A professional partnership where,

When you heal, I feel proud.

I’m not here for praise or recognition,

And I don’t seek validation or thanks.

But when you’re ready, when you’re healed enough,

I’ll rejoice in your happiness. I won’t keep you in therapy;

This is your journey, and my role here is done.

Still, I won’t pretend I won’t miss you.

It’s not about me; it’s about you.

Yet we’ve traveled this road together;

You’ve been the driver, and I’ve been the passenger.

This is your journey, and I’m simply beside you.

I don’t need your praise,

But when you’re happy,

I’ll smile, And when you leave,

I’ll feel joy With a touch of sorrow.

I can see how far you’ve come,

And I am so proud of you.

Each client has their own battles,

Their own private wars to rage.

The path isn’t always easy,

But you are stronger than you know.

This is what I see in hope for you.

The door is always open,

Though my wish is that you won’t need it.

I hope you take these tools,

Live the life we’ve worked toward,

And carry the strength forward.

This has always been about you,

Yet I am grateful—so grateful—for the chance

To be part of your story.

Thank you very much for sharing that poem with us. That was really powerful. I could really feel how much that client meant to you and the different emotions that were coming out in that.

This client of mine has been with me since the start of my practice, and she’s had well over 20 or 30 sessions, so it’s been quite a roller coaster.

She wouldn’t mind me sharing this, of course, while respecting confidentiality. Over time, you naturally build a therapeutic relationship, so sometimes a therapist can’t deny that it all still remains professional.

When people come to you and share their life stories, it’s hard not to get invested, especially when discussing trauma and family issues. It’s a lot to hold, particularly when clients come in high states of emotion, literally crying on you.

Every therapist faces this, whether they admit it or not.

We speak a lot about transference and countertransference, and we bring all this to our supervisors; it’s part of our training. But in the end, we’re all still human.

I really appreciate you showing what goes on behind the scenes for therapists and sharing the emotions involved. It’s beautiful to see how much you care for your clients.

Thank you!

Thank you, everybody, for tuning in today to see this video from Rebecca at RJ Counseling. Thank you very much for coming!

Thank you for having me!