First, I want to say you don’t need to feel ashamed. What you’re describing is actually something a lot of people experience after starting therapy, especially when the session touches on painful or deeply buried things.

Three days isn’t unusual, especially after a first session, but everyone responds differently. I’d encourage you to bring this exact experience to your therapist next time, including the fear of sharing it. A good therapist will want to know what’s happening between sessions, not judge you for it.

Be gentle with yourself over the next few days. Grounding activities, routines, movement, and things that make you feel safe and present can help your nervous system settle.

Thank you for that really …but does it last like 3 days ? I had my first ever session 3 days ago and iam so quiet and very very weird …also i (shamefully) feel like iam imagining more of it even when its scaring the hell out of me…iam scared to share but iam imagining it alot ..whats going on ?

Thank you for that really …buut does it last like 3 days ? I had my first ever session 3 days ago and iam so quite abd very very weird …also i (shamefully) feel like iam imagining more of iti even when its scaring the hell out of me ..whats going on ?

That means so much, thank you for saying that. I totally get how easy it is to slip into self-criticism when you’re in the thick of reflection, especially around something as tender as post-trauma processing. I’m really glad my words could offer a little compassion and a softer lens. You deserve that kindness, especially from yourself. Be gentle with you, you’re doing the work

You’re so welcome. Those post-therapy feelings can be so hard to put into words, sometimes it just feels like a fog, or like your whole system is offline. Naming it helps it feel a little less lonely, a little more real. You’re not the only one feeling that way, and you’re definitely not alone in it.

That “power through” mentality is so deeply ingrained for so many of us, and it can be hard to unlearn. But you’re so right: rest is healing. It’s not a weakness, it’s actually a sign of deep strength to listen to what your body and nervous system are asking for.

I love that your somatic therapist reminds you to ground gently after sessions. That kind of care and self-awareness is everything when you’re doing deep work. You’re not alone in needing that pause, and honestly, more of us need permission to just be after the hard stuff.

My somatic experiencing therapist always tells me after therapy to take it easy, rest, do things that gently ground me. I always thought that was something I shouldn’t “have” to do, that I was “abnormal” or even weak to need to rest or take a nap after a session.

I soon realized if I don’t listen to my mind/body telling me it needs to rest, then I am frozen/shutdown the next day. It is so easy to fall back into the “I need to power through” mentality. It just makes things worse. Rest is healing.

Thank you so much, Betsy. That really means a lot to me. I’m so glad the piece resonated with you.