What Makes a Great Therapist? A Personal Journey
The Right Fit for the Right Time
What makes a great therapist is deeply dependent on what you need in the moment. My first connection was with a gentle soul who simply listened when I felt unheard. Through her, I gained my first set of coping skills and began the lifelong habit of self-reflection.
Holding Space Through Transitions
Later in life, following a toxic relationship, I needed someone to "hold space" for me. Even though our time was short, that therapist gave me a crucial seed of information: "When you are ready to return, find a therapist who works with PTSD." At the time, I wasn't ready for that to soak in, but the seed was planted.
The Power of Safety and Empowerment
When I was finally ready for serious change, I found a therapist whose office felt like home. To me, a great therapist is someone who:
Meets you where you are: They don't rush your timeline.
Empowers you: They give you the tools to make healthy changes at your own pace.
Creates safety: They allow you to be your whole self without holding back.
It was during this time I began learning specific techniques that I later realized were rooted in EMDR Therapy.
From the Analytical to the Emotional
When I finally dove into deep trauma work, I sought an EMDR specialist who was empathetic but could also challenge me. A great therapist is willing to "get on the ground" with you—metaphorically or literally. They give you permission to quiet your analytical left brain and let your emotional right brain lead the way to healing.
Big 'T' and Little 't' Trauma
Healing isn't always a straight line. Sometimes we process the "Big T" traumas (the heavy, all-consuming events) only to realize "Little t" traumas are still lingering beneath the surface. My most recent therapeutic relationship has been about giving space to those smaller hurts. Today, our work has shifted into a Life Coaching and talk therapy mentality—providing unbiased insight, validation, and even a place to laugh as life does what life does.
The Common Thread
I’ve had therapists in between who weren't the right match, and that’s okay. Reflecting on those who truly helped me, the common thread wasn't their degree or their office décor—it was how they made me feel. I sought out empathy, safety, and the space to grow.
About the Author
Sarah Lacy, LPCC is an EMDR Specialist and Life Coach based in Rocky River, Ohio. She provides in-person support to the Lakewood, Westlake, and Bay Village communities, as well as Telehealth sessions throughout the state.
If these words resonate with you, reach out to take the next step in your healing journey.
