The Joy of Talking About Whatever You Want in Counselling

One of the things I love most about counselling—both giving it and receiving it—is that you can talk about whatever you want. That might sound simple, maybe even obvious, but most people don’t get that kind of space very often.

Most of our conversations in daily life are moving toward something: a task, a decision, a solution, or someone else’s needs. We’re editing ourselves as we go, deciding what’s worth saying out loud and what isn’t. But counselling is—and should be—a different kind of conversation. And being that it’s different, different things get shared. The unexpected comes up. Things you didn’t even know you were carrying show up in the room. And when that happens, we get to see our lives in a different way.

I’ve had people start sessions saying, “I don’t even know what I need to talk about today,” and it turns out that’s often where the gold is. That space of not knowing, of being a little aimless or messy or scattered—that’s where real reflection lives. In that space, you might find yourself telling a story you hadn’t thought about in years, or finally saying something you’ve never had the chance to say out loud.

One person I worked with once apologized for talking about the same topic three weeks in a row. They were frustrated with themselves for not “moving on.” But the truth is, that topic was still alive for them. It was unfinished. And it deserved attention. When we allow that kind of repetition and exploration, it often softens something inside. It gives it room to shift.

I think we forget how rare it is to have a space where we don’t have to make sense all the time. Counselling doesn’t need you to be polished or prepared. It doesn’t need your “best self.” It just needs you. However you show up that day.

The permission to talk about whatever is on your mind—even if it feels old, small, or strange—is one of the most healing parts of therapy. There’s no agenda, no rush, and no “shoulds.” And sometimes, in the middle of all that freedom, something new and important comes into view.

So if you’re wondering whether your story, your thoughts, or your feelings are worth bringing into a session, the answer is yes. If it’s on your mind, it matters. Bring it.