If I Had a Magic Wand… 10 Things I’d Instantly Change About Therapy

Photo by Cristian Escobar on Unsplash

Maybe it’s my personality, or maybe it’s the career I’ve chosen (probably both), but I spend a lot of time troubleshooting things that exist on a spectrum of significance.

When clients tell me that an intervention didn’t quite land, I go back to the drawing board. When a supervisor highlights a place of personal or clinical growth, I research it. When colleagues and I discuss logistical stressors, I brainstorm solutions. Inefficient processes and chronic low-grade stress? They irk me, and I’m on an eternal quest to find better ways.

Today, though, I’m in escapist mode. I’m ditching the problem-solving for a minute to imagine the first 10 things I’d implement as a therapist if I had a magic wand.

1. A HIPAA-compliant Quick-Quotes Quill
   Imagine a Rita Skeeter–style device taking perfect, instantaneous therapy notes during sessions, formatted exactly how I like (SOAP, anyone?) and uploaded immediately afterward. Efficiency = peak life.

2. Mental health insurance that makes sense
   Clients would get full coverage, clinicians would get paid well, claims processed smoothly, and customer service reps would send you a Crumbl cookie just for calling. Ethical, trauma-informed, efficient. Magic.

3. Professional telehealth kits delivered to every client
   Crystal-clear video and sound, lighting perfect, Wi-Fi reliable. No more frozen faces mid-emotion or garbled tearful confessions.

4. Life-story uploads during intake
   Clients could wirelessly send me a summary of their entire life before session one, freeing our time to dive straight into therapeutic goals and current struggles.

5. Anonymous supervision feedback
   Pre-licensed therapists could give constructive feedback to supervisors safely, knowing that their input would be respected and changes implemented. No fear of retaliation.

6. Verified diagnosis resources on every mental health post
   Social media is full of advice—but not all of it’s accurate. Every post would include links to affordable, reputable assessment options to prevent panic spirals.

7. Reading by osmosis
   My therapy TBR is out of control. If I could instantly absorb all the knowledge, techniques, and research, I’d be unstoppable.

8. The ability to bend time
   Sessions would always feel complete, notes written, texts answered, snacks eaten, and bathroom breaks taken before the next client arrives.

9. Surreptitious informational holograms
   Floating above clients’ heads: key names, repeated topics, trigger words, dates of importance. Human memory = colander. Hologram = lifesaver.

10. A magically tailored therapy office
    Crying? Tissue within reach. Feeling a wordless emotion? Presto—a feelings wheel appears. Stressed? A fidget materializes. Hungry? Snack at your service. Traffic noise eliminated, temperature perfect, favorite relaxing scent fills the air. Session space fully optimized for you.

Magic wand or not, the goal is simple: help clients feel seen, safe, and equipped for whatever work they’re navigating.

Read the rest of this essay on Substack!

If you're interested in learning more about my counseling approach, visit the About Me page.