My Writing Online
Informed consent, risks and benefits, and how to opt in
I’m a therapist who also shares personal essays, stories and reflections about my own life. I believe in the value of personal writing and of being witnessed, and I don’t believe it’s necessary to disappear online to do good therapy.
I also know that reading your therapist’s writing is different from reading a stranger’s. So I want you to have what you need to decide if you’d to follow along or if you’d like to stop.
Reading or listening to my work is always optional. Your choice of whether or not to engage in it has no effect on the therapy we do together, and you can opt out at any time without explanation.
Where I share:
Social Media (@goodgirl.sextherapy): I share more therapy-focused content and excerpts from articles I’ve written on relationships.
Podcasting (How to Find Love in 10 Days ): I co-host a relationship podcast with another therapist. Each episode focuses on a guest’s dating journey. I occasionally share from my own life.
Substack (Good Enough): I dive deeper here with personal essays and creative writing.
Good to know:
This isn’t therapy. What I share is general and not advice tailored to your situation. Comments and DMs are not available for clinical support.
Client work. If you see me write about client work, know that I am not talking about you. I weave together composites of experiences to explore broader themes.
Your following is visible. Follows, likes, and comments can be seen by others, including people in your life. I won’t follow, message, or comment on client accounts. You are free to interact with my content; know that this is not part of therapy and is not confidential the way our sessions are.
Possible risks:
We might differ. You may learn that we see things differently, which can bring up complicated feelings. Maybe you have kids and assume I do too, or you don’t want kids and want someone who aligns with that. Learning the nuances of my life and personality might interfere with that.
Your idea of me might change. Projection is a healthy, normal part of therapy, whether you see me as someone who has it all together, an expert, a friend, a sibling, an ex, or a parental figure. Seeing me be messy might unsettle that for a while.
You’re seeing a snapshot. My writing is curated, written in a single moment, and I will keep learning, changing my mind, and evolving. Who I am on the page isn’t identical to how I show up with you.
One-sided closeness. I know your story from the room, but you’d also know pieces of me from what I share online. That imbalance can feel too intimate or strange.
Holding back. If you know my views, you might edit yourself to avoid disappointing me or say what you think I’d want to hear. The can be especially true around the more emotionally-laden topics of sexuality, religion, and relationship choices that I tend to write about.
Shifting Focus. You might feel protective of me, or like you shouldn’t “burden” me with your stuff. Or, your curiosity about my story might pull session time towards me and away from you. Therapy time is yours, and I never want you to feel responsible for me. I am mindful of this and am very intentional about the types of stories I share about my life. I choose things that are not currently raw and that I have had time to thoroughly process. A responsibility that I take very seriously as your therapist is to take care of myself outside of session, so I’m ready to be there for you.
It might stir things up. Reading my thoughts on shame, religion, or sexuality might stir up things outside the safety of therapy, with no one there to help you process. If you’re going through a particularly raw or vulnerable stretch, it might be worth waiting to read my writing.
Possible benefits:
A more holistic perspective. Therapy has a built-in power dynamic, and seeing me as human and flawed can soften it. Some people find it helpful to know more about their therapist. You might feel safer knowing I struggle just like you do, just in different ways.
A real sense of fit. If you’re considering working with me, you get to know my values and style before you commit.
Something to bring in. A piece that resonates, or irritates you, can be a shortcut to something important to bring into a session. There may also be resources or stories that build on themes we’re exploring.
Watching the work happen. You might see me model things we work on in therapy, like vulnerability, boundaries, and self-compassion. Watching me sit with discomfort, be wrong, or change my mind shows that it’s okay.
Your choice, always
If you read my writing, feelings may come up. You might love it, hate it, agree, or disagree. All of that is welcome in the therapy room. It’s not weird to bring it up, and I’d encourage it. If something makes you mad, that’s good material to work with. But it might not be what you want to do. It is certainly not necessary, and it is sometimes unhelpful. My hope is that you will carefully consider the risks and benefits above and, most importantly, listen to your gut. I am fully supportive of you making the choice that is best for you.
Questions or concerns? Please don’t use social media messages for this. Please bring them to session, or contact me at info@erinedavidson.com.