Finding the Right Therapist in Maryland: Mental Health Lessons from “Good Will Hunting”
NOTE: The following blog contains spoilers for Good Will Hunting. Please proceed with that knowledge.
“You’ll have bad times, but it’ll always wake you up to the good stuff you weren’t paying attention to.”
Therapy is not an easy process. As much as we want to quickly find help or check the therapy box from our list, mental health is not something that is simply cured overnight. The 1997 film Good Will Hunting looks at this struggle to rush therapy and the importance of trusting the process.
In the movie, a janitor, Will Hunting, is arrested for violence at the beginning. He is released from court after receiving help from a university professor, Professor Lambeau, who had seen his potential. One of the requirements for being released, however, is that Will sees a therapist, Sean Maguire. Throughout the film, we as an audience learn a lot about the therapeutic process, the difficulty of change, and the importance of being in the present.
The (very real) struggle of finding a therapist
Before Will even finds Sean, we see him try out a number of therapists. Although the therapists try hard to work with Will, they ultimately are not the right fit for him. While the reasons in the movie may be slightly comical, this process of finding the right therapist is a real struggle that many people face. Whether you have to go to therapy or are choosing to yourself, finding a therapist who you click with is difficult. We see in Good Will Hunting that Will himself struggles to trust his potential therapists and therefore creates a block. This is relatable to so many people seeking help: if we do not feel comfortable or see ourselves in a therapist, it is easy to shut down and not allow help to occur. Finding the right therapist can be just as difficult as actually doing the therapy work, but thankfully there are multiple ways to find therapists and seek the help that is right for you as a client.
Once Will finally connects with Sean, we still see this mental block pop up. This is normal, it can be hard to let your guard down when you have experienced so much difficulty with trust in the rest of the system. Letting someone into your most vulnerable and inner thoughts and feelings is not an easy task, especially for men or people with a history of trauma, both of which Will identifies as. Sean, being a seasoned therapist, understands this and works to build a relationship with Will before doing any “work”. Sometimes this can be therapeutic in and of itself. If you are struggling to connect with a therapist, it is okay to take a step back and work on basic relationship building skills. For Will, this allowed him to break down his skepticism and begin to let Sean in bit by bit. While it is not easy to share about yourself with a stranger, allowing yourself to form a relationship with your therapist is a crucial step to finding help.
Being present in therapy, and in the moment
When Will is able to finally be present in therapy, we start to see some progress happen. We start to see that this pattern of avoidance Will was living in with his therapist occurs in other parts of his life. Will is afraid to go deep into any relationship or potential job because of his fear of being hurt or rejected. Will has a history of trauma, which he blames himself for. Oftentimes, it is easy for us to blame ourselves for the bad things in our lives. We see our own shortcomings as the biggest blame for our current struggles. In a powerful moment, Sean makes sure to tell Will “it’s not your fault”.
I get emotional watching this scene because of how raw it is. You can see Will ignores Sean’s plea at first. He walks away, avoids eye contact, and tries to rationalize. It is not until he hears it over and over that Will is able to accept what happened is not his fault. So many people I know, myself included, will blame themselves for the bad things around them, when in reality, it is not their fault. There is only so much we can control, and it can be difficult to come to terms with that. It is valid to be scared of this thought, and sometimes we need someone to tell us over and over like Will did.
The other powerful lesson Will learns during this time with Sean is to be present in the moment. Being present sounds easy, but is actually one of the hardest things people can do. We are so focused on outcomes, the future, the past, and more that we take for granted what the present moment holds. In a memorable scene, Sean recalls missing a historic baseball game to have a drink with a woman, who he ended up marrying. Will is shocked that Sean would miss such an opportunity, but Sean is content. Sean talks about not having any regrets and the fact that, in that moment, he was at peace.
In all the hustle and bustle of our world, I know I often struggle with trying to check every box and get as much done as possible. But when I slow down, become intentional, and look at what is around me… that’s when I feel content. It is hard to set aside everything on our schedule and just live, but it can be more powerful than we are willing to admit. You just have to be open to the idea and let yourself breathe.
Discussion questions for Good Will Hunting
Good Will Hunting is one of the most classic therapy movies out there. But when you really take a look at it, the movie is about more than just seeing a therapist. It is about knowing who you are and what you need. Whether it be finding your right therapist, breaking the cycle of avoidance, understanding not to blame yourself, or being present in the moment, there are so many ways to find yourself and unlock your potential like Will Hunting. Starting is always the hardest part, but hopefully the discussion questions below will give you a jumping point.
What qualities do you hope for in a therapist? Or, how did you know your current therapist was a good fit for you?
Do you have any mental blocks holding you back in therapy right now? How can you express those to your therapist?
Is there anything you need to be reminded that “it’s not your fault”?
How can you better live in the present and enjoy the moment this week?
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Written by: Jackson Borchers, Counseling Intern at LifeSpring Counseling Services
Jackson Borchers is a Masters-Level Counseling Intern who is studying at Towson University. Jackson works with adults grappling with sadness, loneliness, isolation, and grief. As someone who is new to the Baltimore area, Jackson understands the intricacies involved in finding connection and finding your community.
