Clients often say therapy helps them understand reactions that previously felt confusing or uncontrollable. When patterns become clearer, choices become possible. Clients have shared that I create a warm, open space where they feel comfortable opening up about things that they have never told anyone else before. Even when we are not able to ‘fix it’, the simple act of sharing with another person and being received without judgement is incredibly freeing. As we build rapport and get to know each other more, clients report appreciating my directness (you can take the girl out of Massachusetts but you can’t take the Masshole out of the girl). I don’t waste time beating around the bush, and prefer to shake things up to see where the dust settles. Sometimes I am wrong, but sharing these observations bluntly, is often what is needed to kickstart growth. If you are turned off by swearing, then I am not the therapist for you. My vocabulary is just fine thank-you-very-much, but there are times when words don’t do it justice and all you can do is swear.