The Spiral of Growth: Embracing Progress, Setbacks, and Transformation in Therapy

Personal growth is rarely a straight path. Instead, it often unfolds in a spiral: moving forward, encountering old patterns, and then progressing again with new insight. This natural rhythm of healing can be frustrating but understanding it in therapy is crucial.

Many clients feel discouraged when they revisit struggles, they thought they had overcome. They might ask, “Why am I back here again?” But they’re not in the same place, they’re returning with greater awareness, new tools, and deeper understanding. Each loop in the spiral brings an opportunity for healing at a higher level.

In therapy, embracing this process allows for self-compassion and resilience. Instead of seeing setbacks as failure, we recognize them as part of the journey. Moving through these cycles with curiosity rather than self-judgment leads to profound transformation.

By discussing this openly in therapy, clients can shift their perspective, acknowledging that even when they feel like they’re moving backward, they’re growing in ways they may not yet see. Healing is not about never struggling again; it’s about responding differently each time we revisit familiar challenges.

Therapy helps illuminate the spiral of growth, guiding us toward deeper self-awareness and lasting change. So, when the past resurfaces, remember you are not back at square one, you are moving forward, even in the loop.