When You Start Dreading a Session (And What That Might Mean)

The Feeling You Didn’t Expect

Most therapists enter the field expecting to feel engaged, motivated, and connected to their work. So when you notice a sense of dread before a session — even subtly — it can feel surprising or concerning. You might feel a sense of tension, hesitation, or a quiet hope that the client cancels. Sometimes it shows up as procrastination, difficulty preparing, or a general sense of unease leading up to the session.

This experience can be confusing, especially if you genuinely care about your clients. You may start to question what the feeling means. Is something wrong with me? Am I not cut out for this? These thoughts are common, particularly for therapists who hold themselves to high standards.

The reality is that this experience is far more common than most people talk about. Feeling reluctant before certain sessions doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong — it often means something important is happening that deserves attention.

What This Feeling Might Be Telling You

Dreading a session is often a signal, not a problem in itself. It can point to different things depending on the context. For example, you may feel uncertain about how to help a particular client, especially if sessions feel stuck or repetitive. When progress is unclear, it can create pressure to “figure something out,” which increases anxiety before the session even begins.

In other cases, the feeling may be connected to emotional intensity. Some clients bring material that requires a high level of presence, regulation, and focus. Anticipating that level of emotional demand can naturally lead to resistance, especially if you’re already feeling tired or stretched.

There are also times when this feeling reflects something happening internally. A client or situation may be activating your own emotional responses, even if you’re not fully aware of it yet. This is where countertransference can come into play — your own experiences, reactions, or patterns being stirred in the work.

Rather than seeing the feeling as something to eliminate, it can be helpful to approach it as information worth exploring.

The Role of Countertransference

One of the most important — and often overlooked — aspects of this experience is countertransference. This refers to the emotional responses that arise within you as the therapist in reaction to the client or the therapeutic dynamic.

For example, you might feel frustrated, overwhelmed, disconnected, or even overly responsible for a client’s progress. These reactions can influence how you anticipate the session, sometimes showing up as dread or avoidance.

Countertransference is not a sign of poor practice — it is a normal and expected part of therapeutic work. The key is not to avoid it, but to become aware of it. When you begin to understand your reactions, they can actually provide valuable insight into both yourself and the client.

Supervision and reflection are essential tools for working through these experiences in a way that supports both your development and the client’s care.

When It’s About Burnout or Capacity

Sometimes, the feeling of dread is less about a specific client and more about your overall capacity. If you are feeling consistently overwhelmed, emotionally drained, or stretched too thin, certain sessions may start to feel harder to approach.

This doesn’t necessarily mean there is something wrong with the client or the work itself. It may be an indication that your nervous system needs rest, or that your workload is exceeding your current capacity.

In these situations, it’s important to look at the bigger picture. Are you taking enough time to reset between sessions? Do you have adequate support? Are you holding realistic expectations for yourself?

Addressing these factors can make a significant difference in how sessions feel over time.

How to Respond Without Avoidance

It can be tempting to avoid or disengage when a session feels difficult to approach. However, avoidance often increases anxiety rather than reducing it. Instead, it can be helpful to approach the session with intention and curiosity.

Before the session, take a moment to check in with yourself. Notice what you’re feeling without judgment. You might ask, What am I anticipating? What feels difficult about this session? Naming the feeling can reduce its intensity and help you approach the session more consciously.

During the session, focus on staying present rather than trying to solve everything at once. You don’t need to have all the answers. Often, slowing down and returning to the basics — listening, reflecting, and staying engaged — can shift the dynamic more than trying to “fix” the situation.

Growth Through Discomfort

While these moments can feel uncomfortable, they are often an important part of professional growth. They highlight areas where you are being stretched — in your skills, your awareness, and your emotional capacity.

Over time, experiences that once felt overwhelming begin to feel more manageable. You develop a clearer sense of how to navigate challenging sessions, how to regulate your own responses, and how to stay grounded even when things feel uncertain.

At From Degree to Practice, we focus on helping therapists move through these real-world moments with confidence. Learning how to understand and work with these feelings — rather than avoid them — is what allows you to grow into a more skilled and self-aware clinician.

Feeling uncertain at times does not mean you’re not suited for this work. It means you’re in the process of becoming the therapist you’re meant to be.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it normal to dread a session sometimes?

Yes. It’s a common experience, especially during early stages of training or when working with complex cases.

Does this mean I’m a bad therapist?

No. These feelings often reflect growth, awareness, or areas that need support — not failure.

What should I do if I feel this way often?

Reflect on patterns, seek supervision, and consider your overall workload and emotional capacity.

Will this feeling go away over time?

It often becomes easier to understand and manage as your confidence and experience grow.