I often tell my kids, “You have everything you need inside of you.”

It’s a phrase I borrowed years ago from a wise mom I admired. Since then, it’s become one of my guiding mantras — both in my parenting and my own growth. The more I learn, the more this truth is reinforced: from Adrienne Maree Brown’s beautiful reflections on fractal theory to concepts from play therapy that remind us of the power of returning responsibility to the self. Even parenting specialists like Dr. Becky highlights the value of turning inward — an “internal gaze” that helps us truly seek and trust ourselves.

This month marks a milestone for me. I’m graduating with my master’s in clinical social work from the University of Tennessee, and soon I’ll begin the next chapter — pursuing my license in clinical social work (LCSW). It’s been a two-year journey that has stretched and shaped me in ways I didn’t expect. And yes, I’ve invested time, energy, and $40,000 into this work because I truly believe in its power as well as its limitations.

Why? Because I believe that individual therapy — real, compassionate work with an expert — is something everyone deserves. But here’s something important I’ve learned: the real magic of therapy doesn’t just happen in the sessions themselves. It happens when you are willing to look inside. To reflect. To unearth what’s buried. To release what’s holding you back. To reconnect with the parts of you that may have been forgotten.

This is why I try, even now, to help my children tune into their own inner wisdom — their “knowing,” as Glennon Doyle calls it. Life will always bring challenges, but when they know how to access that inner compass, they’ll carry a therapeutic tool with them wherever they go.

Now, if you look up the definition of therapy, it’s typically described as “an intervention or treatment of impairment, injury, disease, or disorder.” And yes — in my role as a therapist, there are forms to fill out and boxes to check. Sometimes that means naming a disorder or diagnosis.

But here’s the truth I hold in my heart: I don’t view my clients as “disordered.” Not at their core.

Instead, I see beautiful, complex human beings who have faced barriers, impairments, or experiences that have made it harder for them to fully step into who they truly are. Together, our work is about naming and clearing those obstacles — so they can reconnect with their authentic self and flourish.

So if you’re navigating life’s messy moments, please remember this: you already have what you need inside of you. And you know when to seek the help to find it!