When I was a graduate student studying counseling, one of my university supervisors passed on this advice: “Everyone should do improv.” To my relief, I believe the sentiment can be followed without actually joining a traveling comedy troupe.

She offered the advice after I described a common feeling counselors have during our training; discomfort with the level of self-awareness and self-criticism that comes with watching back footage of our practice sessions. Viewing hour-long videos of yourself talking to another person invites feelings of embarrassment and perfectionistic tendencies to the stage. How can I stumble on words so often? Why am I sitting like that? If I say “like” one more time!

Her point was simple. Therapy, like life, requires us to be present in the moment to be of any use.

Worrying about my excessive hand gesturing three sentences ago does not help me follow the client’s train of thought any more than it would help a member of an improv group pick up on the set-up for a joke from their peer. Likewise, neither does worrying about an embarrassing interaction that happened last week help you while you’re giving a presentation at work or enjoying dinner with a loved one.

 Being present in the moment, reacting and adapting to what is currently occurring, allows plenty of opportunities for mistakes and stumbles, embarrassment, awkwardness, and discomfort, but it also allows for moments of clarity and creativity, enjoyment, humor, and connection.