Is Taylor Swift Therapy a Thing?

(Note: this post is mostly for fun—and maybe just a little bit silly)

Here in Kansas City, Taylor Swift fever is still running high. It was just last football season when she showed up at a Kansas City Chiefs game, and it felt like the whole city fell in love right alongside Travis Kelce. The biggest pop star in the world, in the middle of a global tour, choosing to come back to KC again and again—what. a. treat.

But what is it about Taylor Swift and her music? As a therapist, I’m always curious about people and what connects them. And Kansas City’s love for Swift is no exception. With the release of her newest album, Life of a Showgirl, I know KC will be buzzing.

I’ve heard fans say that listening to Taylor’s music “feels like reading her diary.” I’ve listened to them explain how her lyrics help them get through tough times, connect to their younger selves, and put words to feelings they couldn’t explain otherwise. That sounds a lot like therapy. So –  is Taylor Swift Therapy actually a thing?

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Is Taylor Swift Therapy Real?

The short answer: no—there’s no official, research-backed therapeutic approach called Taylor Swift Therapy. (Though, if I had to guess, some graduate student out there is probably writing a dissertation on it right now.)

That said if a client shares that a Taylor Swift song sparks emotions like grief, betrayal, love, heartbreak, or identity struggles, we can explore that together. Her music becomes a jumping-off point for understanding feelings and building self-awareness.

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Taylor Swift Themes in Therapy

Just for fun, let’s imagine how some Swiftie themes could show up in therapy:

• Parts of the Self
  I often help clients explore the different “parts” of Self—like the protector part, the anxious part, or the part that feels like a burden. Getting curious about these parts with compassion can help us understand our behaviors and emotions. Taylor’s song Anti-Hero reflects this as she notices her so-called “problem” part and its impact on her life.
• Backstage vs. Center Stage
  With Life of a Showgirl, there may an acknowledgement of a “backstage self” and the “center stage persona.” Many of us operate differently depending on where we are and who we’re with. Therapy can be a safe place to notice that in ourselves and consider how those personas are serving us.
• Music as Self-Expression
  Listening to any music that makes you feel something—joy, sadness, nostalgia, empowerment—can be a form of emotional processing. When you connect with lyrics, you’re already engaging in a bit of self-reflection, which is one of therapy’s superpowers.

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So, Is Taylor Swift Therapy a Thing?

Not officially. But if you’ve ever felt comforted by her lyrics, empowered by her storytelling, or validated in your heartbreak while listening to her music—then you’ve already experienced how art and therapy overlap.

So whether you’re in Kansas City watching the Chiefs, streaming Life of a Showgirl on repeat, or journaling your feelings after belting out Shake It Off in your car—you might just be participating in your own form of “Taylor Swift Therapy.”

Until next time,

Erin