You’re Not “Difficult”—You’re Guarded for a Reason

If you’ve ever cancelled therapy last-minute, avoided booking altogether, or found yourself saying “I’m fine” when you’re not, you’re not alone. Avoidance in therapy isn’t a flaw—it’s often a protective response.

At Wild Mountain Counselling in Penticton, we help you explore resistance with curiosity, not shame.

What Avoidance Can Look Like

• Not showing up (literally or emotionally)
• Over-intellectualizing instead of feeling
• Deflecting with humour or changing topics
• Wanting to quit just when things start to get uncomfortable

Avoidance is often your nervous system’s way of saying: “This feels too vulnerable.”

Why We Resist the Work

• Fear of being overwhelmed
• Worry about being judged
• Doubt that change is possible
• Unconscious trauma responses
• Feeling exposed or emotionally “naked”

How We Work Through It—Together

At Wild Mountain Counselling, we don’t push or pressure. Instead, we:

• Slow things down when needed
• Normalize avoidance as part of healing
• Build trust at your pace
• Use tools to regulate the nervous system

Avoidance isn’t the problem. It’s a clue. Let’s get curious about it together.