In therapy, people often reflect on past choices, searching for patterns. Looking back can illuminate insights about the present and the future, providing a foundation for meaningful change.

Consider a therapy client who repeatedly chooses unhealthy relationships. Examining these patterns can reveal how they select partners and their role in sustaining dysfunctional dynamics. In this process, it is common to recall someone kind from the past—a suitable and available partner who once expressed interest. This often leads to the question: What if? Exploring why a healthier path was not chosen at the time can be a valuable therapeutic exercise.

This process of revisiting past choices and wondering what if is at the........

© Psychology Today