Nowadays, it can be hard to have a conversation that doesn't include at least a few buzzwords from the world of therapy. Whether it's in the workplace or casual conversations with friends, terms like "boundaries", "interpersonal dynamics", and "self-care" are becoming a normalized way of discussing our day-to-day experiences and feelings. While these trendy words may seem innocent as they slip into our vocabulary, there is a dark side to the trend known as therapy-speak: it could be making us less empathetic.
At first glance, terms such as "self-care" and "process your emotions" may seem like helpful phrases for describing what we go through personally every day. People use these words to facilitate meaningful conversations about mental health challenges, struggles with addiction and/or relationships, and issues with money and work. The problem, however, lies in how we use these words. We tend to rely too much on their soothing sounds rather than actually looking deeper and processing our feelings properly. Relying on these words creates a sort of mental crutch that prevents us from understanding ourselves more deeply and engaging with others in an authentic and empathetic way.
When this therapy-speak gets thrown around without any real thought behind it, it can prevent us from being truly empathetic to others who are going through different experiences. For example, someone presenting a challenge they are currently facing is often met with an echo chamber of empty phrases like, "just take it one step at a time", or "recognize your boundaries". People are often left feeling unheard or patronized by this kind of response and the original intent behind the conversation gets lost in a sea of platitudes. This can prevent people from building emotional connections between themselves and those around them if they feel as though their experiences are being invalidated or glossed over.
The fact is, there are no quick fixes or easy solutions for our individual challenges. It takes time and effort to fully understand our experience, process our emotions and gain true insight into our lives and what they mean. If we want to be truly empathetic, this means shifting away from popular phrases meant to simplify complex experiences and instead focusing on the human element of connecting with people on a deeper level.
In order to do this, we should take a cue from psychotherapy itself. Instead of using words as crutches, look at how therapists guide their patients towards meaning in their lives - by using themselves as relatability points, offering honest reflections on their own experiences, and understanding the nuances of individual feelings and realities. The same philosophies practiced in the office of a trained clinician can be applied in everyday life when talking with friends or family members in order to foster understanding and compassionate connection.
Of course, it can be hard to break away from the habit of using language borrowed from therapy. After all, these trendy words come with a presumption that we are knowledgeable about mental health topics and well-versed in approaches for dealing with difficulties. We may not realize how damaging the practice of using them used ironically can be to our ability to show empathy towards others. That said, it's important to remember that language is never just words; it is a form of communication meant to bring understanding between people. Without exercising meaningful thoughtfulness when speaking with each other, we risk creating an environment where nobody feels heard or comforted - which detracts from our ability to feel connected to one another.
So let's remember the power of language when we talk about matters pertaining to mental health and exchange meaningful conversation rather than defaulting to therapy-speak. Rediscover the art of listening intently and reflecting back what we hear with empathy. When we put our focus on creating real connections with those around us rather than relying on trendy jargon to get our point across, everyone benefits.
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