Insightful Idioms for Therapy

The other day, a Spanish client of mine had a session with an American patient.

The patient was explaining how her teenage daughter was "bent out of shape" about some problems at school and began to "lash out at her" at home.

Fortunately, we had already discussed what to lash out at someone meant (to express one's frustration/anger through physical or verbal aggression), but she'd never heard the expression to be bent out of shape before.

What are idiomatic expressions (AKA idioms)?

In the simplest terms, idioms are expressions whose meanings aren't obvious from the individual words.?

These fixed expressions aren’t necessary to learn and use as a mental health practitioner, but I promise you they will make working with (near) native English speakers easier!

By regularly interacting with idioms, you’re also training your brain to recognize patterns, make connections, and understand nuances.?

This isn’t just useful for language learning — it’s a skill that transfers into other areas of life, like social interactions and professional situations where quick thinking and adaptability are priceless.

The Mental Gymnastics of Idioms ??

Understanding and using idioms involves several brain processes.?

PHASE 1: First, there’s the initial “huh?” moment when you first hear them.

PHASE 2: Then, your brain kicks into detective mode, using context clues and cultural knowledge to decipher the meaning.?

PHASE 3: When you use an idiom correctly, it’s like completing a puzzle. You’ve matched a complex idea with a linguistic expression – and that’s no small feat!

Here are 10 idioms that you might find useful for English therapy sessions:

?1. To sweep (something) under the rug?? To avoid openly discussing and addressing unresolved issues.

EXAMPLE: "It sounds like you've been trying to sweep this situation under the rug, hoping it would go away, but it seems it’s starting to affect your daily life."

?2. To peel back the layers ?? To explore deeper levels of their thoughts, feelings, and experiences to gain a better understanding of someone/oneself.

EXAMPLE: Why don’t we make an appointment and try to peel back the layers of this issue together?

3. To carry a heavy burden ?? To carry excessive emotional weight, such as caring for an ill family member.?

EXAMPLE: I feel like I’m carrying a heavy burden, now that my dad needs to live with me. I don’t have the time or emotional energy right now.

4. To be stuck in a vicious cycle ?? Recurring negative patterns or behaviors that slow someone’s progress, and suggest the need for change.

EXAMPLE: Therapy can help couples who feel like they’re stuck in a vicious cycle.

5. To walk on eggshells ?? Describing a situation where someone feels cautious or anxious about expressing themselves due to fear of a negative response or consequences.

EXAMPLE: Since my mom is quite sensitive, I have to walk on eggshells when we need to talk about serious topics.

?6. To burn the candle at both ends??? Indicating that someone is overworking themselves physically or emotionally.

EXAMPLE: Last month I was burning the candle at both ends, with all of the office work, studying and domestic tasks I had to deal with.

7. Caught between a rock and a hard place ?? A situation where someone feels trapped or faced with difficult choices.?

EXAMPLE: Sometimes I feel that I’m caught between a rock and a hard place with my parents and my parents-in-law, due to cultural differences.

8. To be at a crossroads ?? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Describing a pivotal moment in someone’s life where important decisions or changes need to be made, prompting exploration and self-reflection.? ?

EXAMPLE: When he decided to leave university, he felt that he was at a crossroads – realizing he’d have to get a job and move out of his parents’ house. ?????????????

9. To walk on thin ice ??? ? Depicting a situation where someone is in a precarious or risky position, urging caution and exploring ways to navigate safely. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

EXAMPLE: The atmosphere was very tense at work. Every time he opened his mouth he had the feeling he was walking on thin ice.

10. To be stuck in a rut ???? ? ? ? ? ? ? A sense of feeling stuck or lacking motivation.

EXAMPLE: Sometimes I feel like I’m stuck in a rut by limiting myself to only Spanish-speaking patients.

With all the idioms that exist in English, how can you retain what you learn?

??Does a literal translation exist in your mother tongue, or other language?

?? If not, create a unique/funny image of it in your mind or on paper.

?? Write some example sentences using it in context.

??? Use it in your conversations as soon as possible!

So, the next time you learn a new idiomatic expression, REMEMBER:

You’re not just learning how to say something in a more visual way; you’re also sharpening your mind’s ability to handle all sorts of challenges ?

Try to incorporate some of the idioms mentioned above into your conversations.

(Image credit: Creative Therapy, "What the Heck Does That Mean?" Idiom game)

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Is your dream to communicate more effectively with your patients / clients in English? DM me to book a call to discuss your current situation and future goals. I'd love to help you reach them!

Email: [email protected] / Website: www.myenglishtherapy.com