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Becoming Real: Reflections from The Velveteen Rabbit
- Samantha Cooke
- 21 hours ago
- 2 min read
When I was little, The Velveteen Rabbit was one of my favourite stories. I remember being drawn to the softness of it - the love between the boy and his toy rabbit, and the quiet magic of becoming “real.” At the time, I understood it as a simple tale about love and belonging. But as an adult, and as a counsellor, I’ve come to see it as something much deeper.
There’s a line in the book where the Skin Horse says,"Real isn’t how you are made. It’s something that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time… then you become Real."
To me, this captures something profound about the counselling process. So often, clients come to therapy feeling a little worn, unseen, or unsure of who they are anymore. Life’s experiences - loss, change, disappointment - can leave us feeling faded around the edges. Counselling gently helps us rediscover what is already true and whole within us.
Becoming “real” isn’t about perfection or putting ourselves back together neatly. It’s about allowing ourselves to be seen as we are. It’s about tenderness, honesty, and courage - letting go of the polished versions we think we should be, and allowing space for the truth of who we are underneath.
And just as the Velveteen Rabbit learns, becoming real can be both beautiful and a little painful. The process can soften us, but it also deepens our capacity for connection and love.
In many ways, therapy invites us back to ourselves - to a place where we can feel real again. Not shiny or new, but genuine, grounded, and whole.
About the author
Samantha Cooke is an integrative counsellor based in Ascot, Berkshire. She offers a calm and reflective space for adults (18+) to explore their emotions and experiences. Alongside her therapeutic work, Samantha shares her musings and reflections on the quieter moments that shape how we understand ourselves and the world around us.
Contact Samantha here: CONTACT | Samantha Cooke
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