
There’s something magical about Halloween. Maybe it's the cooler air or the opportunity to channel a character’s essence for a day, but for me, Halloween has always been a beloved tradition. I’ve been dressing up for years, sometimes as classic characters like Rosie the Riveter, AKA the Mind Mechanic, or other lighthearted roles—but never anything scary. For me, Halloween is about fun and creativity, about the thrill of transformation without fear. Strangely enough, it’s an annual reminder of the work I do in therapy.
After all, isn’t therapy its own version of “trying on” something new? Every day, clients take bold steps into uncharted territory. They confront intimidating thoughts, experiment with new perspectives, and adopt behaviors that can feel as foreign as a Halloween costume. But just as putting on a costume can make you feel braver, stepping into a new way of thinking can create real and lasting change.
Trying On New Roles, One Session at a Time
When you dress up, you may start by picking something that feels familiar yet just outside your comfort zone. Therapy, in its own way, invites you to do the same. Maybe you’ve spent years in self-doubt or with a certain belief about yourself. Therapy opens the door to try on a different “costume”—a mindset or habit that feels more empowering, hopeful, or productive. It can be like wearing a superhero cape for the first time: a bit intimidating, but a lot exciting.
Reframing Thoughts: This is a tool that gets used frequently in my sessions, like adjusting the lens on a camera to get a sharper image. By trying on new ways of viewing ourselves or situations, we begin to see life differently, just as we might see ourselves differently in a costume. What if, instead of looking at a challenge as a source of anxiety, we could see it as an opportunity to learn or grow? This mindset shift can change our entire outlook.
Exposure Therapy: For some, Halloween means facing fears—think haunted houses and ghost stories. In therapy, exposure therapy helps clients face real-life fears, breaking them down and building courage through gradual, safe steps. It’s like standing in front of a “haunted house” of your own mind and realizing you can face what’s inside. And, just like on Halloween, each small step makes you braver.
Behavioral Experiments: Costumes allow us to embody someone else, if only for a day. In therapy, trying new behaviors is similar. It’s testing out a role, adopting habits, and seeing what fits. This might mean practicing assertiveness, taking on a self-care habit, or using more positive self-talk. It’s like putting on a costume, but one that’s deeply personal and can lead to real transformation.
The Beauty of Becoming

Ultimately, Halloween reminds us that we have the ability to be more than we thought possible. Therapy takes this notion deeper, encouraging clients to shift from simply trying on behaviors or thoughts to truly becoming. Each step, just like every costume, builds confidence. And just like Halloween, therapy lets you face life with curiosity and a sense of adventure.
So, as I channel my Mind Mechanic persona this Halloween—tools in hand, ready to reframe and rebuild—it’s a reminder of the magic that happens each day in therapy. Through bold costumes and brave steps, we learn to celebrate who we are, embrace who we’re becoming, and discover the joy of transformation.
Happy Halloween! 🎃
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