Is It Normal to Cry in Counselling?

One of the things people sometimes worry about before counselling is crying.

“What if I start crying and can't stop?”
“I'll feel embarrassed.”
“I hate crying in front of people.”

If that sounds familiar, you're certainly not unusual.

Crying is a completely natural emotional response. Sometimes it comes when we're talking about something painful, but sometimes the tears arrive when we least expect them.

You might even find yourself saying:

“I don't know why I'm crying.”

And that's okay too.

Sometimes we've spent so long holding things together, carrying on, looking after other people or pushing difficult feelings aside that simply having somewhere to stop and talk can bring emotion to the surface.

What if I feel embarrassed?

You don't need to apologise for becoming emotional in counselling.

There's no expectation that you should remain calm or composed throughout a session. Equally, there's no expectation that you should cry.

Some people cry regularly in counselling. Some rarely do. Others never cry at all.

There isn't a right way to respond.

What happens if I can't stop?

We don't have to rush past the emotion.

We can slow things down, give you time and explore what you're experiencing when you're ready.

And if you don't want to talk for a moment, that's okay too. Silence can be part of counselling.

Counselling isn't about performing

You don't have to arrive knowing what to say.

You don't have to tell your whole story in the first session.

And you don't have to manage your emotions for the benefit of your counsellor.

Counselling gives you somewhere you can begin exploring what you're feeling at your own pace.

I offer face-to-face counselling in Whitstable, as well as online counselling across the UK.

However you arrive at a session, talking, quiet, emotional or unsure where to begin, we can start there.

Counselling with Sue — a place to talk, at your own pace.