I can't speak for anywhere else, but I've always heard a bed side table be called a Nightstand

Watching Link's face while he was talking makes it clear that he knows what he needs to do, he's just not giving himself permission to do it.

When Link said that he would get stressed about what to talk about with his therapist if he wasn't going through a crisis and I have never related to anything more. I have been avoiding my therapist for this very reason.

Get a new therapist, Link! I had a similar issue with not clicking with a therapist, and I didn't tell him I wasn't coming back. I found a different therapist and that was that!

Rhett: “Link has control issues.”
Also Rhett: “I think your wife and I need to sit down with your therapist.” 🤣

Seriously though, such amazing stuff—not only that y’all are vulnerable with each other, but sharing that vulnerability with us here. You are doing the work to help change the way we view mental health and therapy. Thank you so much.

I agree that it’s a style thing. If Link is trying to work on his control then he needs someone to break up that control and take control of the situation and throw him off and be like “now how did that make you feel..” and go from there(for example.)
I understand that Link doesn’t want to hurt his feelings. And if the therapist isn’t able to give Link what he needs out of this, he can just leave. He doesn’t need to explain himself.

Link 100% needs to have this discussion with his therapist. It sounds like this is important work and avoiding it is just perpetuating a pattern. It is also possible your therapist will be receptive to the feedback and start being less passive in the sessions. Also, from a logistical point of view, telling your therapist that you want the option to come back if things don't work is important otherwise he will fill your spot with a new client.

Let's talk about life for a long time 🖤

Link’s therapist watching: 👁👄👁

Avoiding therapy is often a sign of needing therapy. Also there so many types of therapy. I don't think Rhett and Christie need to talk to links therapists, a good therapist will see what needs to be seen.

The statement Link said, "I don't experience anxiety, I have anxiety," struck me hard. I have anxiety and depression, both a constant part of myself but gets harder to handle on some occasions. It's like theirs a shadowy figure walking right behind me that occasionally grabs me by the shoulders and takes control of me.

In my opinion, Link should find a new therapist. It is very common. Links therapist could’ve spent an hour focusing on how he felt with the fear and anxiety about not being able to control the session, so much so that he canceled the appointment. (It’s not always about the past.) He could’ve talked about healthier ways of managing his stress, not letting his stress control him, what he could’ve focused on instead, how to deal with that the next time he feels that way… all the therapist said was “Yeah. You have anxiety.” That’s not helpful. Anxiety doesn’t have to be a bad thing until it’s stopping you from doing things or making you feel fear, which is what happened. Link should find someone that addresses this and gives him guidance without being prompted to.

Link, I think it is wonderful that you realize you are a deeper and more complex individual than you expected! You deserve to have a therapist who can go into those depths with you and make a lasting impact.

I want to validate Link's feelings because I remember how difficult it was after a long period of crisis management therapy to move out of that and explore who you are when you are not in crisis. I had a similar experience with starting with someone new when my therapist went on maternity leave, and I experienced new breakthroughs quickly with the new therapist because it felt like I finally had permission to leave crisis mode behind. I ended up staying with the new therapist long-term and it unlocked a new chapter of growth for me.

I have been a mental health counselor, with children, for 20 rewarding years. I appreciate  Rhett and Link being so open about their personal experiences with therapy, which reduces the stigma.  We need to see and treat our  mental health as important as our physical health with regular 'check ups.'  Yet, we also might need additional support for acute or chronic issues ( anxiety, trauma, life challenges  etc ). And finding the right 'fit and connection' with your physician or your therapist is vital, and it can change based on the client experiences and changes.

Link I really love the way that you think, its fascinating to me. You're mind is so bright, and maybe a bit chaotic but also so beautiful.

I'm working on my Bachelor's in psychology and I love how openly you guys talk about your journey with therapy. I've been in therapy off and on for over 15 years and it has been so beneficial. Thank y'all for being so open and candid 💜

I've had several therapists since I was 15, and am now 26. Some worked amazingly, some just didn't click properly. It happens, and will make you feel somewhat bad and responsible for it every time, but at the end of the day, I like to think of it like hiring an interior designer; All may be qualified, but not all will understand your style or specific needs.

Breakthroughs aren't really about crying; It's about figuring out the origins of unwanted behaviors/feelings and making a plan to work on them.

I cry almost every session, and I'm not having a breakthrough every session. I cry because there are painful, hurtful, and scary things in my past and present and those things can make me sad (like losing my mom in 2020).

If you're not crying and feel like it would be helpful for you to do so, it's not really on your therapist. You have to dig deep and figure out why nothing you're talking about leads to an emotional response. Are you still feeling guarded of your emotions? Do you still feel like you can't fully trust your therapist and be that vulnerable? It's worth bringing this up with your therapist, with those questions in mind.

A good question for Link to ask himself is, do you really fully trust anyone enough not to leave you? Maybe you subconsciously aren’t divulging your true self because you don’t want to be abandoned, therefore you can’t find ‘a breakthrough’