The Quiet Work of Growth: What Mental Health Training Really Teaches You
Spring is often described as a season of renewal, a time when things begin to bloom, feel lighter, and move forward with a sense of ease. But growth does not always feel that way. Sometimes, it’s slow. Sometimes, it’s uncomfortable. And often, it happens in ways we do not immediately recognize.
A Season of Growth
As I have moved through my internship at Chrysalis Center, beginning in January of last year, I have found that growth has not looked like a dramatic transformation. Instead, it's shown up in quieter, more unexpected places, through moments that have challenged me, stretched me, and ultimately shaped the way I show up for others.
When I first began my internship, I felt a mix of excitement and pressure. Like many students stepping into a clinical space, I wondered if I would know the “right” things to say or do. I began to realize, through both experience and with the guidance of my supervisor, Macy Baynor, that this work is not about having perfect answers. It is about being present, curious, and having a willingness to learn.
Understanding Growth Beyond the Surface
One of the most impactful parts of my growth has come through supervision and collaboration with the professionals at Chrysalis. Having a space to reflect, ask questions, and receive thoughtful feedback has helped me slow down and see my work more clearly. My supervisor has challenged me to lean into moments of uncertainty rather than rush past them, and to trust that meaningful connection often matters more than immediate solutions. Through this process, I have learned that growth does not happen in isolation or darkness; it happens in relationship, with support, and with a willingness to be open.
I have also learned to slow down. We are used to instant gratification, thus we become impatient. In a world that often values productivity and quick results, therapy invites a different pace. Progress isn’t always visible right away. Sometimes it looks like a client returning for another session, sharing something vulnerable, or simply allowing themselves to be seen. These small moments are easy to overlook, but they are often where the deepest growth begins.
What I have come to realize is that this kind of growth is not unique to interns; it mirrors the experience many clients have in their own healing journeys. Growth does not always feel like progress. It can feel uncertain, nonlinear, and even frustrating at times. But that does not make it any less meaningful. Often, the most important changes occur beneath the surface, long before they become visible.
Continuing the Process of Becoming
This spring, I have been reminded that growth does not have to be dramatic to be real. It can be quiet. It can be gradual. And it can happen in the most unexpected places. At Chrysalis Center, transformation and growth are at the heart of our work. Just like the process of growth I have experienced during my internship, meaningful change takes time, patience, and support. Whether you are beginning your own journey or continuing along the path, it is okay if growth does not look the way you expected. What matters is that you keep showing up.