(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

As a mental health counselor, I am honored to support my clients as they work through some of the most challenging and painful times in their lives. A lot of my practice is focused on the treatment of trauma. And oof, there is so much talk about trauma on social media and out in the world. But what are we all talking about? What does trauma mean? I’m hoping the following can clear up what trauma is, what it can be like to experience it, and what treatment can look like. The purpose of this post is not to assist in self-diagnosis, but rather to entertain and open space for curiosity about yourself and others’ experiences.

What is trauma? Does it mean you’re broken?

When we think of trauma, we may think of a certain event or situation, like a natural disaster, an act of violence, or childhood neglect. But trauma is not an event. Trauma is not what has happened to you. It is something that happens within you. Trauma occurs when your nervous system is stuck in overdrive. This can be caused by a wide range of experiences. Importantly, what may be traumatic for one person may not be for another. Trauma is personal, and its impact is shaped by a complex interplay of factors including past experiences, available support systems, and internal resources. One way to think about when trauma may show up are the ideas of ‘too long, too much, too fast.’

Our nervous system was designed to activate when we are in danger. When we interpret something as a threat to our safety, our senses intensify, our heart rate increases, and our bodies prepare for flight or fight. However, when we are exposed to a threat repeatedly, or too intensely, even if it is not truly life or death, this can cause the nervous system to remain activated, especially if we have limited resources to help us return to a balanced state. This sustained activation is trauma.

What are common trauma symptoms?

Trauma can affect multiple aspects of a person’s life, from their emotional well-being to their physical health. Some common symptoms include:

• Intrusive memories or flashbacks
• Nightmares or disturbed sleep
• Anxiety or panic attacks
• Emotional numbness or detachment
• Depression or loss of interest in things you used to enjoy
• Irritability or anger
• Difficulty concentrating
• Hypervigilance or feeling constantly on edge
• Avoidance of places, people, or situations that serve as reminders
• Physical symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, or gastrointestinal issues

Symptoms can emerge immediately after an event (or events), or may surface months or even years later.

Why can trauma feel so disorienting? Can it get better?

The trauma experience can be very confusing and can lead to self doubt and hopelessness. A person may know, rationally, that they are safe, but be unable to manage their intrusive thoughts and not know why. Some people experience trauma symptoms without ever realizing that trauma is at the root of their distress. It is common to label these symptoms as stress, burnout, or personality traits. This is particularly true when the trauma stems from chronic, less overtly “traumatic” experiences.

Identifying trauma responses as trauma-related can allow individuals to understand that their body and mind are reacting in adaptive ways to overwhelming circumstances. I have noticed that this understanding can reduce self-blame and provide clarity, helping people see their symptoms not as personal failures but as signals that support may be needed. Once people recognize the role of trauma, they can begin to make sense of their reactions, feel less alone, and take empowered steps toward recovery.

How can I find relief from trauma?

Therapy can provide a safe space to explore and understand the impact of trauma, develop coping skills, and implement strategies that allow your nervous system to reset. Modalities such as EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), Somatic Experiencing, and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) are some approaches that are specifically designed to address trauma. Healing is not linear, and it looks different for everyone. Trauma can change the way a person sees and moves through the world, and working through trauma can do the same.

If you think you may be experiencing trauma symptoms and want to see if therapy is the right next step, you can always schedule a 15-minute consult call or reach out via my website. I would be happy to provide referrals for other practitioners as well.  

Until next time,

Erin