2025's Therapy Tea: What We've All Learnt This Year ☕🎄

Because even your therapist needs to debrief about 2025

Well, here we are again - another year done and dusted, the Quality Street tin nearly empty (except for the toffee pennies nobody wants), and I'm sat here reflecting on what's come up in the therapy room this year.

Whether you've been working through couple's issues or navigating your own inner chaos, 2025 has been... a lot. But as always, there's been some proper gold amongst the challenges. So grab a mince pie, settle in, and let me share the top 5 takeaways from this year's sessions.

🎁 Top 5 Therapy Takeaways for 2025

1. "It's not about the dishwasher" (Couples Therapy)

Honestly, if I had a quid for every time a row about loading the dishwasher was actually about feeling undervalued or unseen, I could retire to the Maldives. This year's biggest lesson? The thing you're arguing about is rarely the actual thing. It's usually about connection, appreciation, or feeling like you're pulling all the weight. Next time you're ready to throw a plate (into the dishwasher, obviously), pause and ask: what's this really about? 🍽️

2. Your nervous system isn't being dramatic - you are actually tired (Individual Therapy)

We've spent years pushing through, "getting on with it," and wondering why we feel rubbish. Turns out, your body's been trying to tell you something. This year, so many clients discovered that anxiety, irritability, and that constant "on edge" feeling weren't character flaws - they were signs of a nervous system running on fumes. Rest isn't lazy. It's essential. Revolutionary concept, I know. 😴

3. "I'll just sort it myself" is not the flex you think it is (Couples Therapy)

Independence is great. But somewhere along the line, we've convinced ourselves that asking for help is a weakness. Spoiler: your partner cannot read your mind, and expecting them to is setting everyone up for disappointment. This year's couples who thrived? The ones who learnt to actually say what they needed instead of hoping their other half would develop telepathy. Mind-blowing, really. 🔮

4. Your inner critic sounds suspiciously like someone from your past (Individual Therapy)

That harsh voice in your head telling you you're not good enough? Yeah, that's not the voice of truth - it's usually an echo of something (or someone) from way back when. This year, we've been doing detective work, figuring out where these stories came from and whether they deserve their residency in your brain rent-free. Turns out, most don't. Eviction notices have been served. 🏠

5. Repair is more important than perfection (Both!)

You're going to mess up. Say the wrong thing. Snap when you're tired. Ghost your mate's text for three weeks. The magic isn't in being perfect - it's in coming back, acknowledging it, and making it right. The couples and individuals who've grown the most this year? The ones who stopped trying to be flawless and started getting good at repair. That's the real relationship superpower. 💪

The Takeaway 🎀

As we wrap up 2025, here's what I want you to remember: therapy isn't about fixing what's broken - it's about understanding yourself and your relationships better. It's messy, uncomfortable, and sometimes you'll want to cancel your session because you "can't be bothered." But the work is worth it.

Be gentle with yourself as the year closes. You've made it through another trip around the sun, and that's no small thing.

I'll be taking a break over the festive period (even therapists need to disconnect and eat too much cheese), but I'll be back in the New Year with some exciting projects, fresh newsletters, and probably a few more dishwasher metaphors.

Until then, take care of yourselves and each other.

See you in 2026! ✨

Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter.I hope it offered something useful or thought-provoking for your day. If you found it helpful, I’d really appreciate it if you shared it with someone who might benefit from it too. It’s a simple way to show care and support for those around you.

Really glad to have you here - see you next time!

With gratitude,

Lavinia

Psychotherapist & Curious Human ✨