In my therapy sessions, I often end with the phrase, mind yourself and go gently this week. Last week, one of my clients asked me what I meant when I said go gently.

When I say go gently this week, I’m not offering advice in the usual sense. I’m not suggesting you do less, achieve more balance, or finally get it right.

I’m speaking to the pace you carry yourself with.

If you’re attending therapy or thinking about starting, you might wonder whether it’s ok to ask your therapist personal questions.

Therapy is an intimate space. Each week you’re invited to speak about parts of yourself you may never share anywhere else, so it’s completely understandable to feel curious about the person sitting opposite you.

And yet, many clients hesitate. They worry about crossing a boundary or making things uncomfortable. If that’s been your experience, let me say this: yes, it’s absolutely ok to ask your therapist a personal question.

As 2025 draws to a close, many of us will reflect on what the year has held, what has been hard, what has mattered, and what we might want to do differently as we move forward. This time of year often brings a strong focus on New Year's resolutions; plans to change, improve, or finally “get it right.”

But I don’t think resolutions are supportive or indeed helpful.

In therapy, we often turn toward the quieter things, what matters, what hurts, what steadies us, what pulls us forward. Values live in this gentle space. Our values aren’t rules or expectations, they’re more like the inner compass points that help you move through life in a way that feels true.

Most people come to therapy because something isn’t sitting right. They feel stuck, overwhelmed, disconnected, or unsure of their direction. Exploring values can bring a kind of clarity that isn’t about fixing yourself, but about understanding yourself.