Tell Me About It: A Portal to Deeper Understanding

My client sobbed in front of me! I could not reach out to her across the screen.?

For 20+ years, I saw clients cry in my sessions. I could go and sit closer to them, hold their hand, and maybe softly pat their back.?

Post-pandemic, all of this changed. I was on the other side of the screen and couldn’t offer the comfort I was used to.?

I did not want to tell her to be quiet or reassure her. I wanted her to know that it was safe for her to cry and express all that was within her.

I waited for a few minutes. When the sobs subsided into silence, I offered the four words I had used over and over in my practice.?

“ Tell me about it.”

In the vast and complex landscape of human communication, few phrases carry as much subtle power as “Tell me about it.” These four simple words are not merely a request for information?—?they are an invitation, a bridge, and sometimes, a lifeline. It was my lifeline that day, for sure.?

The Alchemy of Listening

“Tell me about it” is an act of radical empathy. It’s a verbal embrace that says,

• Your experience matters.?
• Your feelings are valid.
• ?I am here to listen without judgment.

?In a world where most conversations are a volley of advice, interruptions, and half-listened narratives, these words create a sanctuary of genuine presence.

The Inner Dialogue?Awakens

When someone says, “Tell me about it,” something remarkable happens internally. The speaker experiences a momentary pause?—?a breath of psychological safety. Their inner dialogue shifts from:

• “No one understands” to “Maybe I can be understood”
• “I’m alone in this” to “Someone wants to hear my story”
• “My feelings are too complicated” to “I can unravel this out loud.”

Therapeutic Potency

In my therapeutic practice, “Tell me about it” is not just a phrase?—?it’s a clinical intervention. It’s a non-directive prompt that:

• Encourages self-exploration
• Reduces defensive barriers
• Allows the client to set the pace and direction of their narrative
• Demonstrates profound respect for the individual’s lived experience

The Visceral?Impact

There’s a physical response to these words. Shoulders might soften. Breath might deepen. The body, which so often holds unexpressed stories, begins to release its tension. It’s an invitation to transform the internal monologue into a shared experience.

Beyond the Therapy?Room

While “Tell me about it” is a therapeutic cornerstone, its utility extends far beyond professional counseling. In friendships, partnerships, and daily interactions, this phrase can:

• Defuse conflicts
• Create intimacy
• Validate emotional experiences
• Replace the urge to fix or advise with genuine listening

One-Liners of Transformation

• “Tell me about it” says: “Your story has value.”
• “Tell me about it” whispers: “You are not alone.”
• “Tell me about it” promises, “I am here, fully present.”

A Universal Practice

For the general populace, adopting “Tell me about it” as a genuine communication tool can be revolutionary. It requires:

• Suspending judgment
• Practicing active listening
• Valuing human experience over quick solutions
• Creating space for vulnerability

The Unspoken?Magic

What makes “Tell me about it” truly powerful is what remains unspoken. It’s not about extracting information?—?it’s about creating a compassionate container where healing, understanding, and connection can naturally emerge.

Invitation to?Practice

Next time someone shares a struggle, resist the impulse to advise, compare, or minimize. Instead, lean in with genuine curiosity and say those four transformative words: “Tell me about it.”

In a world starving for authentic connection, these words are a revolutionary act of human kindness.

As was proven by my client. She collected herself as she heard the invitation. She sighed deeply and shared her pain and distress. She found her insights as the session closed. Most importantly, she expressed, “ I thought, virtual exchange is going to be a waste, but I feel held and heard’

I learned to touch the soul of another without touching them at all.

Simply by stating gently, “ Tell me about it”?

If you wish to witness how these four words can transform into an invitation, I invite you to my Live show on YouTube and LinkedIn on Saturday, 8th March'2025, at 4:30 pm IST.

You can view the teaser here

You could also buy my audio course "Unleash Your Inner Adult"

Let us all learn to live with ease!