This could very well be the benchmark for challenging the integration of therapeutic knowledge gleaned from counseling into the day-to-day interaction. However, the transition from “therapy speak” to natural speech is not necessarily smooth and may yield unintended consequences. This article unpacks why this might not always be useful and offers tips on how to negotiate it.
One of the most significant problems with “therapy speak” in social interactions would be gatekeeping. Using terms like “boundaries,” “attachment,” or “triggered” in and of themselves excludes a lot of others who might not understand what it means when there is no context or explanation. This exclusionary effect may leave people feeling alienated or even a bit condescended to, as though they are not part of a shared knowledge that would allow them to know exactly what was meant by the conversation.
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The problem is one that has to be mitigated by translation of therapeutic insights into the vernacular: one has to invite rather than exclude. This means it’s better to say, for example, “What we need is to adjust our boundaries,” and then go on to build an explanation in plain words of concrete specific behaviors or interactions that are causing discomfort, in so doing keeping clarity and inclusiveness of communication.
Clinical language can also further alienate the speaker from the audience when both the speaker and the audience do not share a common understanding. Friends and family who are excluded from the therapeutic process are simply lacking in critical reference points to understand, for example, the meaning of “being triggered” or “pathologizing.” Naturally, without a shared vocabulary, there also develops that sort of cringing feeling or even a sense of embarrassment, feeling that you don’t really know enough and you’d be really embarrassed to come forward and admit the kinds of things that you don’t know.
To that end, establishing common ground and devising words together with loved ones that not only adequately describe one’s experiences but further facilitate mutual understanding are possible. Instead of saying, “I got triggered,” for instance, one could say, “this event brought back some very painful memories or feelings for me so that now…” and in that way, ensure meaningful conversation for all parties involved.
Furthermore, the indiscriminate use of clinical language in the outside world is likely itself to be pathologizing. Pathologizing is when everyday behaviors or characteristics are inaccurately or improperly labeled as clinical states, such as when people casually refer to someone as a “narcissist” instead of calling out particular behaviors or traits directly. As such, this very reductionism misses the point of real understanding and serves only to perpetuate many of these resultant misconceptions around mental health.
Rather than rushing to overlay everything with terms one might quickly find in a therapeutic manual, there is a recommendation to consider whether such language could be helpfully descriptive. Pausing to consider the accuracy of clinical language allows for greater subtlety in discussions and a richer understanding of both oneself and others.
One more pitfall of using jargon from the therapy room in everyday interactions could be defining others’ experiences without their input. Therapeutic insights offer very important frameworks in understanding behavior and emotions, but at the same time, it is important to realize the fact that individual experiences are multifaceted and subjective. Applying clinical labels to the experiences of others might discount their unique perspectives and diminish their sovereignty in defining their own stories.
Approach with more collaboration, openness in discussions, inquiries for clarifications, and respect for the views of the other on sensitive issues so that it would further easily help the person to maintain stronger, empathetic relationships based on mutual understanding and validation.
Incorrect utilization of therapeutic terms is also likely to lead to misinterpretation and miscommunication. For example, people misinterpret attachment styles or any other concepts and used them without having a knowledge of what they mean, leading to greater problems of spreading wrong information and understanding of the ideas with the peers and loved ones. For that reason, one is urged to study much about the ideas in therapy before using them in daily communication to avoid being misinterpreted.
Relationship Impact
Effective communication is the real foundation for any familial, romantic, or platonic relationship. Using “therapy speak” without context or explanation alienates loved ones, who are perplexed by what seems to be an impending barrier in communication, alienating them into not knowing how to respond.
For instance, a challenging process has been named “triggering,” without more differentiation as to what to say or do specifically in response to support, and there still remains the danger of always being confused. Lack of such differentiation may act as a blunting agent on empathetic response, and that might have a potential effect on relationships.
This, therefore, means that therapeutic understanding and insight should be passed in a language that the parties can understand and relate. Sharing what one concept means should not be it, but it also should encourage the other party to give their meanings and feelings. Through this open and empathic dialogue, individuals can enhance bonding and thus promote deeper understanding.
Avoiding Oversimplification and Pathologizing
One of the pitfalls of using therapeutic language in your everyday life is that it can be overly reductionist. For example, reducing a person to the label of being “anxious” because they behave in a particular way implies little understanding of the many dimensions of anxiety and may overlook complex human experiences in favor of just reducing a person to a clinical tag.
Furthermore, pathologizing behaviors or traits—attributing clinically diagnosable conditions to everyday actions—only contributes to stigma and misunderstandings about mental health. In most instances, such discussions have to be sensitive, with an understanding that people are much more than the sum of these psychological terms.
Behaviors can be understood on levels deeper than diagnostic labels, with awareness of underlying emotions and motivations. In this way, one develops not only empathy but also personal growth and self-actualization.
Developing Self-Reflection and Emotional Awareness
The use of therapy-specific vocabulary can also be an aid in self-reflection and emotional monitoring. Therapeutic concepts used by consumers of therapy in their everyday life may result in enhanced insight with regard to their cognitions, feelings, and behavior.
For example, one can learn to recognize and voice boundaries within relationships, instead of reacting to what is happening, all of which creates a place for self-advocacy in having needs met and developing healthy relationships with another human being. This can be done through the development of self-awareness and communication skills that maintain poise and genuineness through all forms of interpersonal dynamics.
Moreover, careful use of therapeutic language can further foster a culture of emotional intelligence, at home and in professional environments. Self-reflection and promotion of empathy will foster enabling supportive spaces where everyone feels appreciated and genuinely understood.
Effective Ways of Communicating Practically
Driving home meaningful conversations, in those cases where misunderstanding can be created with some therapy-specific form of language, the following strategies can be used:
Expand on the concept therapeutically by giving contexts and examples to enable the other person to understand what is being conveyed. This way, they get to understand how such concepts relate to your experiences and feelings.
Invitation of dialogue: It opens up the space for others to give their views or opinions regarding the matter. In this way, as they give a response, there is a call to act as you validate their feelings and experience to provide room for mutual understanding.
Choose empathetic language: Pick words that lie very close to your heart as well as those of your audience. Use an attempt to express feelings and experiences in a way that facilitates empathetic understanding and bonding. Respect the individual’s boundaries: Not everybody would be comfortable talking on all topics and using therapeutic terminologies. Saner sensibilities will respect these boundaries and sense the comfort level among people when speaking to them.
Personal Growth: Reflection on the incorporation of the language of therapy ought to be seen as a journey of personal growth and self-awareness. Reflect on how these concepts help in improving your understanding of yourself and your relationships.
Closing
Embedding terms specific to therapy into meaningful, personal experiences can be very powerful for personal growth and for one’s relationships and personal communication. Translating clinical insights into the language of accessibility and working on feeling and being understood are ways one can deepen connections with others and navigate relationships clearly and compassionately.
After all, it’s not only the case of using the right words, but on the high order, effective communication should be based on mutual respect, empathy, and concurred understanding. A balanced approach to communication allows a person to draw on the power of therapeutic insights in forming supportive, genuine, and enriching relationships.