Today, I would like to share a testimonial that Tryska, one of my clients, wrote. Tryska is not her real name; I’ve changed it to respect her confidentiality.

“Irina, she said, “I am the most important advocate of therapy, good therapy that can change your heart and mind…”

Whenever I see psychotherapists boasting about quick fixes or claiming life-changing results for everyone, I always tell my clients: RUN! That’s not the true reality of psychotherapy. What matters is this: change is real, but it comes with deep, consistent work, care, knowledge, and, above all, a true understanding of what it means to transform as human beings.

This story is not about me, it’s about my client, Tryska, 27 years old, coming from a very different culture than mine, yet so similar in many ways—a remarkable, complex individual with a rich life philosophy.

Every time I think of her, my heart is full of care, admiration, and immense gratitude for the trust she placed in me. She let me into her heart, sharing not only her darkest moments but also her moments of celebration.

Nowadays, new models of psychotherapy recognize that celebrating what feels good, real, and authentic—what feels like “this is me”—is incredibly important. Glimmers of hope, resilience, and transformation are always there, and our role as therapists is to notice them and seize the moment. I’m deeply grateful for the privilege of working with the special clients who find their way to me!