“What Did Your Therapist Tell You That Flipped The Switch In Your Brain For The Better?” (35 Answers)

Shrinks aren’t for everyone, but for a lot of people who struggle in life, they can be an absolute godsend. After all, sometimes speaking to someone who’s been trained on how the human mind works can deliver powerfully helpful insights.Someone asked the internet, “What did your therapist tell you that flipped the switch in your brain for the better?” and netizens were only too happy to respond with their breakthrough moments. Here’s a collection of our favorites.More info:RedditThis post may includeaffiliate links.

Someone asked the internet, “What did your therapist tell you that flipped the switch in your brain for the better?” and netizens were only too happy to respond with their breakthrough moments. Here’s a collection of our favorites.

More info:Reddit

This post may includeaffiliate links.

Honestly the most therapeutic thing a therapist has ever done is just widen her eyes in horror. It’s so validating to realize that yes, in fact, that thing that happened WAS really messed up and I’m not the crazy one.

A woman in a green sweater covering her face, symbolizing a change in mindsets.

I needed to leave my husband. I raise goats. She said “do you ever just go out there and beat the c**p out of one of your goats, hoping it will turn into a sheep……?He’s always going to be a goat.”.

Two young goats playing on a log in a muddy field, symbolizing change and adaptability like therapists changing mindsets.

“That voice in your head isn’t you. It’s a voice you have heard. You have grown up with. You have learned. The best thing about learning is that it is never finished; you can learn a new voice.“I’m still ages away from replacing the voice but it has made many scenarios much easier to manage.

Individual in red hoodie with hair covering face, symbolizing change in mindsets.

Psychology has come a long way from the days of the first philosophers pondering the human mind over a glass of wine. These days it’s a full-blownsciencewith countless branches, techniques, and therapists ready to help you figure out why you overanalyze text messages at 2 AM. But how did we get here, and more importantly, how do you find the perfect psychologist to guide you on your mentalhealthjourney?Way before psychology became the science we know today,ancientthinkers like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle were already debating what makes us humans tick. Fast forward a few centuries, and René Descartes introduced dualism—the idea that the mind and body are separate but work together. This was basically the earliest version of “it’s complicated.”

Way before psychology became the science we know today,ancientthinkers like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle were already debating what makes us humans tick. Fast forward a few centuries, and René Descartes introduced dualism—the idea that the mind and body are separate but work together. This was basically the earliest version of “it’s complicated.”

Had a breakthrough revelation. Expected everything to change. It didn’t. She then explained to me that change doesn’t come from merely understanding what your issues are but from doing the hard work to undo those ingrained behaviors.Oh. Damn.

A person sitting at a desk, covering their face, illustrating therapists' knowledge in changing mindsets.

Quit invalidating your feelings just because you think others have it harder than you. It’s not a competition.

Bald man in a blue shirt holding his head, reflecting on change mindsets.

You have to forgive your past self for the decisions you made in order to survive the situation you were in.

Therapist offering support by holding hands to encourage change in mindsets in a calm setting.

The 19th century was when psychology officially became a thing. Wilhelm Wundt, the OG psychologist, set up the first lab dedicated to studying human thoughts and behaviors in 1879. His idea? That our minds could be broken down into tiny, measurable components—a concept called structuralism.But then along came William James, who was more interested in how our thoughts help us survive, leading to functionalism. And thus commenced the battle between “what is the mind made of?” vs. “what can the mind do?”

But then along came William James, who was more interested in how our thoughts help us survive, leading to functionalism. And thus commenced the battle between “what is the mind made of?” vs. “what can the mind do?”

When I was thinking of staying with my now ex “is he acknowledging his role in the fight or is he just forgiving you?” I had never thought to ask - turns out he believed he was totally blameless and was just forgiving me. That question ended the relationship.

Two people in a hallway, one looking down, showcasing therapists' knowledge to change mindsets.

Therapist comforting a distressed woman, showcasing knowledge to change mindsets during a session on a green couch.

Though I’ve been to therapy, this one is something I read online randomly;*Just because things could have been different, doesn’t mean it would have been better.*I basically took it as stop fretting about what you should have done differently or how people treated you. You could have done it completely differently, the way you wish you did and something negative could have still happened. What happened happened, you can’t live in the past. All you can do is move forward.

Man holding a plant and box, illustrating changing mindsets in a minimalist room.

As time went on, psychology split into different schools of thought, each with its own way of explaininghumanbehavior. Sigmund Freud shook things up with psychoanalysis, while John B. Watson and B.F. Skinner championed behaviorism, and Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow brought about humanistic psychology.By the mid-20th century, psychology shifted toward understanding thoughts, memory, and perception. Cognitive psychology laid the foundation for modernresearchinto everything from AI to how we make decisions. With advances in technology, psychologists now study the brain in crazy detail, linking biology to behavior. This has been a welcome game-changer in treating mental health disorders.

By the mid-20th century, psychology shifted toward understanding thoughts, memory, and perception. Cognitive psychology laid the foundation for modernresearchinto everything from AI to how we make decisions. With advances in technology, psychologists now study the brain in crazy detail, linking biology to behavior. This has been a welcome game-changer in treating mental health disorders.

“Happy people don’t pee in other people’s cheerios.” It helped me look at criticism differently. More productively.

Woman embracing change mindsets, wearing colorful jewelry and a white top, standing against a blue sky background.

It’s not your job to manage other people’s feelings and happiness.Fill your cup first.Don’t tear yourself down to build others up. Don’t set yourself on fire to keep others warm.

Two people embracing, reflecting emotion and mindset change, seen in a dimly lit room with a mirror and books nearby.

I was lamenting my various issues, and in frustration stated that I hated my stupid brain. Without even hesitating, she just said, “Oh, your poor brain! It’s doing its best!“It was probably just something she was saying to try and talk me down from my theatrics, but it really made me aware of my negative internal monologue. Like yeah, my brain IS doing its best! It’s just kinda bad at being a brain. But she’s trying her best!!

So, now that psychology has evolved into this massive, nuanced field, how do youfinda psychologist that fits your vibe? Before you start Googling therapists, ask yourself: What’s bothering you? Anxiety? Depression? Relationships? Trauma? Stress? Knowing your needs helps narrow down the search.It’s also a good idea to know your therapy styles. Some of the most popular include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, humanistic therapy, and mindfulness-based therapy. Your ideal therapist also needs to fit into your life, so give some thought to their location, availability andcost.

It’s also a good idea to know your therapy styles. Some of the most popular include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, humanistic therapy, and mindfulness-based therapy. Your ideal therapist also needs to fit into your life, so give some thought to their location, availability andcost.

You need to protect your family at all costs even if it means not talking to some of your other family members. I’ve been estranged from my narcissistic mom for 2 years now and it’s been amazing.Also important to know that just because you don’t have kids that doesn’t mean your husband and dog isn’t your little family. Realize who is in your family bubble and protect them at all costs. .

Person holding a small dog in a cozy room, embodying mindset change through interaction.

“Be the mirror, not the sponge.”When someone shares their anxiety/stress with you, it’s not your job nor does it make you a good person to immediately feel those things too.Show them empathy, but try not to absorb.It wasn’t easy at first but eventually I was able to do it!!

Woman in a yellow shirt smiling at her reflection in the mirror, embodying positive mindset change through knowledge.

Feeling your feelings doesn’t involve processing them with logic or tell yourself a story about why they’re happening, it’s listening to your body, realizing what muscles hurt, what feels tight, fluttery, nauseous, hot, cold, or whatever else. It’s noticing the burning feeling in your eyes, the lump in your throat, or feeling so light you could float away.

Person meditating with headphones outdoors, symbolizing knowledge and mindset change in therapy.

Many therapists offer an initial consultation. This is your chance to see if you vibe with them. Do they listen? Do you feel comfortable opening up? If not, keep looking—it’s totally okay to switch therapists if it’s not a good fit. The most important part oftherapyis feeling safe, heard, and understood.What do you think about this list of breakthroughs people had with the help of their therapist? Upvote the ones that resonate with you most and don’t forget to leave a comment if your therapist has helped you find a fresh perspective on life!

What do you think about this list of breakthroughs people had with the help of their therapist? Upvote the ones that resonate with you most and don’t forget to leave a comment if your therapist has helped you find a fresh perspective on life!

“You don’t have to earn your place in this world. You can simply exist for yourself and do what makes you happy.“That rocked my s**t. As a severely parentified kid with self-worth issues, I still struggle with not feeling worthy of many things if I’m not being useful.

When putting up boundaries, “They’ll be mad at first. Then they’ll get over it. They don’t have any other option.”.

Person sitting on the floor, looking contemplative, illustrating changing mindsets with therapists' knowledge.

I had a lot of fear of authority figures and so I avoided talking to admin at my medical school about any issues I was having. We traced it back to an experience I had with gun violence from an authority figure.He said, “well, Dr. Neil doesn’t have a gun”.It seems really silly but that mantra really helped me. Whenever I’d talk to my dean, I would think to myself “Dr. Neil doesn’t have a gun” and it would help me reassure myself that I was safe in that situation. I use that mantra for a lot of people now.

Therapist at a desk with a calendar, books, and flags, embodying knowledge to change mindsets.