Why Being Seen Heals: The Role of Witnessing in Emotional Recovery
How true healing begins when we feel fully seen and heard
“I just wish someone understood me.”
Have you ever felt this?
For many of us, this simple need — to be seen and heard — remains unmet for years. We learn to hide our pain, silence our feelings, and “stay strong.” But deep down, we long for someone to truly witness us, without judgment or advice.
This is where witnessing — being fully seen — becomes profoundly healing.
What Does It Mean to Be “Seen”?
Being seen isn’t about someone observing us with their eyes.
It’s about someone being fully present with us — listening to our words, noticing our emotions, and understanding the unspoken story behind them.
In this space:
- We are not a problem to be solved.
- We are not judged for how we feel.
- We are simply accepted as we are.
Why Is This So Healing?
- It Restores Our Sense of Worth –When someone listens deeply and compassionately, we feel valued. It tells our nervous system:
“I matter. My pain matters. My story matters.” - It Brings Light to Hidden Wounds –
Often, the emotions we suppress — shame, grief, fear — live in the shadows.
Being witnessed allows these hidden parts to come into the light. And when they are seen, they begin to soften and release. - It Creates Emotional Safety –
True healing can only happen when we feel safe. A compassionate witness offers that safety — by holding space without rushing, fixing, or invalidating our feelings.
How Compassionate Inquiry Helps You Feel Seen
In my program, The Art of Witnessing using Compassionate Inquiry, we use Dr. Gabor Maté’s approach to:
- Ask gentle questions that uncover deeper patterns.
- Pay attention to how emotions show up in the body.
- Create a non-judgmental space where you can express what you’ve never said out loud.
This is not about fixing you.
It’s about being with you — so you can connect with the truth that’s been waiting to be heard.
Why Many of Us Have Never Been Fully Witnessed
In Indian families (and across cultures), emotional pain is often met with:
- “Stay strong.”
- “Don’t cry.”
- “Other people have it worse.”
Though well-intentioned, these responses teach us to hide our real feelings. Compassionate witnessing reverses this — by honoring every emotion as valid and worth exploring.
Final Thoughts
Healing begins when you feel truly seen.
When someone witnesses your pain without judgment, you realize:
“I am not alone. My feelings make sense. I can heal.”
If you’re ready to experience this kind of deep, compassionate presence, I invite you to explore The Art of Witnessing using Compassionate Inquiry — a safe space to be heard, held, and understood.
With warmth,
Amulya Parmesh
Join Glitz Arogya and begin a journey of authentic living — through the Art of Witnessing.
About the Author :
Amulya Parmesh, MSc Psychology (BPS), YCB-certified Yoga Teacher & Evaluator, and Holistic Therapist (CI, PRT, CBT), is the founder of the Glitz Arogya Mind-Body Program. She brings a unique blend of scientific understanding and yogic wisdom to her practice. Glitz Arogya is dedicated to empowering individuals to achieve holistic well-being through integrated mind-body therapies.
