Tears in Therapy: Why Crying Is Not a Sign of Brokenness, but of Healing
You sit across from your therapist. Your chest tightens, your eyes well up, and before you know it — you’re crying.
And instantly, the shame creeps in:
“Am I weak? Am I too much? Am I broken for not being able to hold it together?”
At Mindful Insights Psychotherapy, we hear this worry all the time. But here’s the truth: crying in therapy isn’t a sign of weakness or brokenness — it’s a sign of healing.
Why Crying in Therapy Feels So Vulnerable
Many of us grow up with unhelpful messages about emotions:
“Crying makes you weak.”
“Stop being so sensitive.”
“Big feelings are a problem.”
Over time, these messages can make us internalize shame around emotional expression. So when the tears finally come — especially in front of another person — it feels like a failure of control.
But what looks like “losing control” is actually the opposite: it’s your body finally letting go of the tension it’s been holding onto.
The Science of Tears: What’s Happening in Your Body
Research shows that crying isn’t just an emotional act — it’s a physiological release. Emotional tears contain stress hormones like cortisol and natural painkillers (endorphins). When we cry, we’re not only expressing feelings but also physically regulating our stress response.
In therapy, tears often emerge when:
Your nervous system feels safe enough to release what it’s been holding.
You’re naming emotions you’ve suppressed or ignored.
You’re touching grief, pain, or vulnerability you’ve carried alone.
In other words: tears are your body’s way of saying, “I’m finally safe enough to feel this.”
Crying Is Communication, Not Weakness
Tears are a language. They often say what words can’t.
In therapy, they might mean:
“This memory still hurts.”
“I don’t feel seen in my life.”
“I’ve been holding this in for too long.”
Your therapist doesn’t see you as weak when you cry. They see you as brave enough to show your truth. At Mindful Insights Psychotherapy, we welcome tears as part of the work — never as a disruption or something to apologize for.
What Crying in Therapy Actually Signals
Crying in therapy can be a sign that:
You’re dropping the protective walls and being authentic.
Your body trusts the space enough to soften.
You’re moving emotions from “stuck inside” to “out in the open.”
You’re practicing vulnerability — a cornerstone of healing relationships.
Far from being broken, crying is often a marker that therapy is working.
If You’re Afraid of Crying in Session
If the thought of crying in therapy scares you, you’re not alone. Many people fear being “too much” or “wasting time.”
Here are a few truths to hold onto:
Tears don’t derail therapy. They are therapy.
You don’t need to apologize. Your emotions belong in the room.
You’re not weak for crying. You’re human, and your body is doing what it’s built to do.
At Mindful Insights Psychotherapy, we work at your pace. If tears come, we make space for them. If they don’t, that’s okay too.
You’re Not Broken — You’re Healing
Crying in therapy doesn’t mean you’ve failed at being strong. It means you’re allowing yourself to be human in a space designed for exactly that.
Tears are not a sign of brokenness — they’re a sign of release, honesty, and progress.
At Mindful Insights Psychotherapy, we believe your emotions deserve space. Whether you cry, sit in silence, or talk it through — healing is happening.
So the next time you find yourself tearing up in session, remember:
You’re not broken. You’re brave.
