Clients who have endured childhood trauma, chronic criticism, perfectionism, emotional neglect, bullying, betrayal, or profound anxiety frequently pause when invited to offer kindness toward themselves. Some laugh nervously. Others become visibly uncomfortable. A few recoil from the idea entirely.

And therapists?

Many therapists — despite years of graduate education, supervision, clinical sophistication, and extraordinary compassion toward others — quietly struggle with the very same thing.

Why? This article by Anthony Pantaleno explains.