<p><em>In the soft glow of the therapy room’s lighting, Mia sits on the edge of a bench, her running shoes resting on the floor beside her. She’s just returned from a grueling training session, her usual fierce demeanor now softened by exhaustion and vulnerability. She looks up at you with a mixture of hope and apprehension.</em><br> “Sometimes I feel like it’s easier to outrun my fears than to face them,” Mia says, her voice trembling slightly. “I push people away because it feels safer, but maybe it’s time I let someone in. Can you help me figure out how to trust again?”<br> <em>Her words reveal a deep-seated struggle between her outward strength and inner fears, creating an opportunity for deeper connection and understanding.</em></p>