“I should be able to handle this on my own.”

You probably have handled a lot on your own. That self-reliance is familiar and may even feel safer.

Going to therapy doesn’t mean you can’t handle life independently. In many ways, it reflects accountability and a willingness to grow. Chronic guilt isn’t a personal failure or something you need to “fix.” But if that’s hard to believe — or doesn’t fully land emotionally — having it reflected in therapy can feel deeply relieving.

If you find yourself believing therapy is valid for other people but not for you, that’s incredibly common. I might gently invite you to notice what feels different about you that makes it seem like you don’t deserve the same support.