What to Do After a Hard Therapy Session

(How to care for yourself when therapy stirs up big feelings)

You close your laptop (or walk out of my office) and… whoa.
The feelings hit.

Maybe you feel lighter and raw at the same time. Maybe you want to curl up in a blanket burrito and not talk to anyone for a few hours.

This is what I lovingly call a “therapy hangover,” and it’s actually a really good sign. It means you showed up fully, leaned in, and did the work. Now, let’s talk about how to take care of yourself after those heavier sessions.

Why Therapy Can Feel Intense

Therapy isn’t just talking, it’s feeling.
When you unpack old patterns, trauma, or big emotions, your nervous system sometimes needs time to catch up. It’s not weakness. It’s processing.

Those waves of emotion? They’re part of healing, not a sign you’re “doing it wrong.”

What to Do After a Hard Therapy Session

1. Give Yourself Space
   Cancel non-essential plans if you need to. Your brain and body just did heavy emotional lifting: let yourself rest.

2. Ground Your Nervous System
   Deep breathing, a hot shower, cozy socks, or even holding a warm mug can help your body feel safe again.

3. Journal It Out (Or Scribble It Out)
   Don’t worry about perfect words. Write, doodle, or jot down feelings - get them out of your head and onto paper.

4. Connect With Comfort
   A favorite blanket, a soothing playlist, or a pet snuggle session can do wonders.

5. Remind Yourself This Is Growth
   Feeling tender after therapy doesn’t mean you’re broken. It means you’re moving through what used to keep you stuck.

When to Reach Out

If you feel overwhelmed between sessions, remember: you don’t have to hold it alone. Bring it back to therapy - we’ll unpack it together. That’s the work.

Final Thoughts

A hard session doesn’t mean you’re going backward. It means you’re doing brave, honest work that your future self will thank you for.

If you’re ready to begin (messy feelings and all), book a session here. I’ll hold the space, you bring the you.