Finding Authenticity in the Therapy Room

By Sarah Morrone, Registered Psychotherapist in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada,

Over the course of my early career, I’ve experienced incredible growth  both in my skills as a therapist and in my own sense of self. Working with clients from ages 14 to 65, across diverse backgrounds, cultures, and identities has expanded the way I understand healing.

Each person brings a unique story, sometimes about anxiety, depression, OCD, or family dynamics, and sometimes simply about wanting to feel more connected to themselves. What unites them is courage: the willingness to explore difficult emotions and patterns in pursuit of greater clarity and peace.

As a therapist, I see my role as both guide and collaborator. Therapy isn’t about having all the answers, it’s about creating a space for curiosity, compassion, and discovery.

Authenticity as a Healing Tool

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that authenticity can be deeply healing. I remember working with a client who struggled with comparison as a twin. I gently shared that I had experienced something similar growing up. That small, honest moment shifted something,  it made space for connection and trust.

Authenticity in therapy doesn’t mean over-sharing; it means being real. It’s about allowing warmth, humour, and humanity into the room. Healing happens not through perfection, but through presence.

When clients feel safe to show up as their full selves, therapy becomes more than a treatment it becomes a relationship built on respect and understanding.

Integrating Mind-Body and Somatic Practices

Over time, I’ve come to integrate both cognitive and somatic (body-based) approaches in my work. Many clients find that exploring sensations in the body helps uncover emotions that words can’t always reach.

Practices like grounding, mindfulness, and gentle breathwork can reconnect us to the present moment and calm the nervous system. These tools are especially powerful for those working through trauma, anxiety, or emotional overwhelm.

Therapy doesn’t always have to happen through talking. Sometimes healing begins by simply noticing how the body feels, where tension sits, or how it responds when something feels true.

Exploring Spirituality and Meaning

For some clients, spirituality plays an important role in healing. I approach spirituality not as prediction, but as another language for meaning-making. Whether that means drawing on a client’s faith tradition, exploring metaphors of the soul, or using reflection cards to spark insight, spirituality can open doors to deeper self-understanding.

The key is always the choice:  you get to decide what feels right for you. Therapy should be a space that honours your beliefs, culture, and individuality.

From “Doing” to “Being” in Therapy

Early on in my practicum, I often worried about whether I was doing enough. When sessions grew quiet, I’d feel anxious and try to fill the space. Over time, I’ve learned that silence can be sacred & that presence itself can be healing.

This shift from “doing” to “being” has helped me connect more deeply with clients and trust the process of therapy. Sometimes the most meaningful change doesn’t come from a specific technique, but from the safety of being seen and accepted exactly as you are.

Looking Forward: Relational and Accessible Therapy

As I continue to grow as a therapist, I’m drawn to approaches that honour both the mind and body relational therapy, mindfulness, and somatic practices. I’m also passionate about making therapy more accessible and creative, whether through walk-and-talk sessions, group work, or sliding-scale options.

Therapy, to me, is a living practice. It evolves as we do. My goal is to stay open and to keep learning, reflecting, and growing alongside the people I work with.

Final Reflections

Every client I meet teaches me something new about courage, vulnerability, and resilience. This work continues to shape me and reminds me that healing isn’t linear, and that authenticity and connection are at the heart of change.

Whether you’re beginning therapy for the first time or returning after a break, I hope you find a space, either with me or elsewhere, that feels grounded, compassionate, and real.

Ready to Begin Your Journey?

If something in this post resonated with you, I’d be honoured to connect. I offer a safe, inclusive, and affirming space for clients of all backgrounds — including those exploring identity, relationships, anxiety, self-esteem, or past trauma.

You can book a free consultation or email sarah@vitalminds.ca to see if we might be a good fit. Together, we can explore what healing and authenticity look like for you.