A lot of people try therapy, do meaningful work, and then eventually step away—because life stabilizes, the “knot” loosens, and it feels like they can take it from there. And honestly, that’s often a healthy outcome.
But then something shifts. A big life event hits (a car accident, a death in the family, a major transition), or something subtler starts repeating—your reactions feel outsized, your coping skills don’t seem to work the way they used to, or you notice an old pattern coming back online. In this episode, Aaron and Nathan talk through the most common signs it might be time to return to therapy—and how to do it without overthinking it.
They normalize the reality that many people cycle in and out of therapy across different seasons of life. Not because therapy “failed,” but because life reveals deeper layers over time. You might be facing a new stressor your system hasn’t learned how to handle yet, or you’ve peeled back another layer of the onion and need an updated version of the skills you already built.
They also address the quiet barriers that keep people from returning: worrying about what your therapist will think, feeling embarrassed that you’re “back again,” or convincing yourself you should be able to figure it out with self-help or AI. Aaron highlights the difference a real therapist can make in the room—especially the ability to notice tone, subtle shifts, and relational patterns that don’t show up in a prompt or a text box.
You’ll also hear practical, relieving guidance:
You don’t have to wait until you’re “stuck in a deep hole” to go back—earlier is often better
Returning doesn’t mean recommitting for years; sometimes you only need a handful of sessions
Going back to a prior therapist can save time because rapport is already there—and they can often help you adapt old tools to a new situation
It’s also normal to choose a new therapist for a different perspective or a different modality (EMDR, IFS, etc.)
If the thought “maybe I should go back” keeps tapping you on the shoulder… that might be the sign
If you’ve done therapy before and you’re wondering whether it’s time to re-enter, this episode gives you a grounded framework: treat it like a tune-up, not a failure—and start with one session.
Aaron Potratz & Nathan Hawkins are behavioral health experts, licensed counselors, and clinical supervisors with over 35 years of experience. They each own a private group therapy practice and co-own a third one together. Aaron is also a business consultant for therapists in private practice wanting to start, grow, or expand their business.
*Watch this episode: https://youtu.be/H4LoFr1P98M
*Now on YouTube: @shrink-think
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