This year has been one of the most challenging of my life. My wife was recently diagnosed with early stage breast cancer. Thankfully, we caught it early and she beat it, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t terrifying and we still face many hurdles ahead with her recovery. Navigating a fragmented healthcare system, juggling multiple procedures (with one more still ahead), raising two young kids, and staying on top of work has been… a lot.
Through it all, I’ve been reminded how lucky we are to have a strong support system. Family, friends, colleagues, and yes — therapy. I hesitated at first, especially since therapy isn’t covered by insurance, which is absurd and further ingrained my opinion about our broken health care system. Eventually I decided to invest in it and I’m so glad I did. The return on that investment – peace of mind, perspective, and a space to process – has been immeasurable.
I often tell clients not to be penny wise and pound foolish, especially when it comes to spending on things that may feel uncomfortable but offer long-term value. Therapy is one of those things. You can’t always calculate the ROI upfront, but you can absolutely feel the impact over time.
Interestingly, the work I do has also been therapeutic in and of itself. There’s something deeply grounding about helping others sort through the complexities of their financial lives, especially in uncertain times. I’ve had conversations with clients this year that reminded me how widespread the ripple effects of health challenges can be. So many people have been touched by cancer. In those conversations, I have felt a deeper sense of connection and empathy.
While this year has tested me in ways I never expected, it’s also clarified what matters most: asking for help when you need it, building and relying on community, and finding purpose in your work. Therapy has helped me get through this year and so has doing what I love.
