In one of my Interwoven interviews, someone asked “what is the difference between someone getting their own therapist vs becoming engaged with Interwoven?” Essentially, why not just get a therapist?

That’s a great question. Especially now when the world seems so uncertain and unpredictable, it makes sense and can feel easier to make one move - to one person.

When we get support from a therapist there is a depth of understanding and over time that person really gets to know us well. There’s a consistency too - we know where to turn to get the support, and it’s easier to be vulnerable with one person.

Let’s consider connecting to your supervisor in a professional setting as that one go-to person. They can provide tailored guidance and reflection. It’s also an obvious place to explore your professional path. There’s no doubt that having a therapist (or your supervisor) provides extremely important support. And sometimes in life (or work), this is all you need.

But what if your therapist is unavailable, exhausted, or can’t relate to a particular struggle? And even if they don’t say it out loud, what if they feel the pressure of being your “only” anchor? Or what happens if your supervisor leaves the agency? Unfortunately, the support system collapses quickly.

Consider the role the Interwoven community can play. Here - there’s access to diverse perspectives, resources, and skills. If one person isn’t available, others can step in, and communities normalize challenges where you see you aren’t alone. Communities can also inspire momentum and collective hope.

Professionally, there is a resilience based on an understanding that the load is shared - no single person bears the full weight of support. It also sustains professional identity and belonging - it can affirm your role and reduce isolation. And communities can push for systemic change in ways one person can’t.

But there are limits too - it can feel less personal, they may not go as deep as you’d like them to go, may be dominated by certain voices if not well moderated, and group dynamics can be tricky.

So why not just get a therapist? Because the strongest support systems don’t rely on only one source—they weave both personal and collective care together. A trusted therapist offers intimacy, safety, and steadiness, while community adds sustainability, advocacy, and collective resilience. They do different things. Together, they create a foundation strong enough to hold both personal healing and the power to face larger systemic challenges and changes. When these forces combine, we’re not just surviving—we’re building a stronger, more connected future where care fuels both personal healing and collective change