TheraBeats: Lost in Thought – Finding Healing When You ‘Don’t Know Anymore’

Rap music is more than just words over a beat—it’s a raw and unfiltered reflection of real-life struggles. Artists use lyrics to express pain, resilience, and the search for meaning, often touching on themes that deeply connect to mental health. Central Cee’s "Don’t Know Anymore" is a powerful example, laying bare the weight of trauma, success, betrayal, and emotional suppression.

In this post, we’ll break down the lyrics and explore how they relate to therapy, psychology, and social theories. From trust issues and generational cycles to financial stress and emotional suppression, these themes mirror the challenges many face daily. More importantly, we’ll discuss the psychological theories behind these themes. Let’s dive in. 🎧💭

Theme: Trust Issues with Therapy & Emotional Expression

Lyric: “Sat down, tellin’ a therapist stories, I know she ain't gonna relate.”

Many people hesitate to go to therapy because they assume no one can truly understand what they’ve been through. This lyric reflects that common doubt.

Therapy isn’t about having a therapist who has lived your exact experience—it’s about having a trained professional who can help you process your emotions, recognize patterns, and develop tools to heal. The right therapist won’t dismiss your struggles; they’ll help you make sense of them. I ( Jess Kaur Sohi, the founder of Seven Rivers Counselling) have worked with a diverse range of individuals, including ex-gang members, people with extreme political beliefs, rappers, and influencers. While I may not fully understand all of their life experiences, the feedback I receive consistently shows that feeling heard and supported is what truly matters in the healing process. To read more about the different types of therapists and counsellors click here.

Research supports this: A 2015 meta-analysis by Bruce E Wamplod (2015) on the Common Factors of Psychotherapy found that therapy’s effectiveness relies more on relational elements—such as the therapeutic alliance, empathy, and client expectations—than on specific treatment techniques. The study highlights that:

• The real relationship between therapist and client reduces isolation and fosters healing.

• Empathy and active listening significantly improve outcomes.

• Clients’ belief in the therapeutic process enhances their ability to heal.

Stigma & Help-Seeking Theory (Corrigan, 2004) explains how cultural and social beliefs impact a person’s willingness to seek therapy. Many men, especially in marginalized communities, are conditioned to believe that talking about feelings is weak. Especially in the South Asian culture this topic of often taboo and shunned. Men’s mental health is incredibly important, and this is why I specialize in supporting men through their mental health journey.

Theme: Emotional Suppression & Hidden Struggles

Lyric: “The guys wouldn’t know that I’m feelin’ like this ‘cause I conceal and hide it.”

How often do we check in on the people around us? Many individuals—especially men—are conditioned to hide their emotions, believing that expressing vulnerability is a sign of weakness.

Suppressing emotions doesn’t make them disappear. Over time, bottled-up feelings can turn into anxiety, depression, or even physical health issues. Therapy provides a safe space to let those walls down, process pain, and learn healthier ways to cope. One of the reasons I specialize in men’s mental health is because some of my closest friends died by suicide, and I’ve seen firsthand the impact of unspoken struggles and untreated pain. Opening up is often much easier for women, as we have our girlfriends to turn to when we need to vent, and vulnerability is generally more accepted. In contrast, men are constantly bombarded with messages of toxic masculinity through street advertisements, social media, and Western culture, reinforcing the idea that they must suppress their emotions and handle everything alone. Men are less likely to seek help for mental health problems, potentially due to stigma or societal expectation (Schumacher, 2019).

Masculinity & Emotional Restriction Theory (Mahalik et al., 2003) suggests that societal expectations discourage men from showing vulnerability, leading to emotional bottling. Cultural barriers add another layer of complications to this. In many cultures, mental health is considered taboo and is not openly discussed, making it even harder for individuals to seek help or express their struggles. This begs the question: how can BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) men overcome the barriers to seeking mental health support when they already face additional cultural, societal, and systemic obstacles?

Theme: Breaking Inter-generational Cycles

Lyric: “My lil' bro’s still going to school, but he wanna do everything that the gang does. Now he's repeatin' the cycle...”

This lyric speaks to intergenerational cycles—patterns of behavior that are passed down, often without intention. When young people grow up in environments where certain actions feel like the only option, it can be hard to see a different path.

Breaking these cycles takes awareness, support, and sometimes professional guidance. Therapy can help individuals recognize unhealthy patterns and find ways to create new opportunities for themselves and future generations.

Some examples include:

Residential Schools & Forced Assimilation (Indigenous Communities)

Indigenous families still feel the impact of government-enforced assimilation, with loss of language, culture, and increased mental health struggles such as PTSD and substance abuse (Menzies, 2024).

Colonization & War Trauma (South Asian, Middle Eastern, & Latinx Communities)

Generations of people who have endured colonization, war, or forced displacement often carry deep-seated fears, survivalist mindsets, and emotional suppression, which get passed down to their children (Cénat, 2022). To read more about the unique experiences of south asian mens mental health check out this blog, click here.

Social Learning Theory (Bandura, 1977) explains how children model behaviour from those around them, making them more likely to follow in the footsteps of older siblings or community figures. However, intersectionality (a term coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw) is vital here because we can’t expect people to break free from generational trauma if they don’t have access to the proper resources. Factors like race, socioeconomic status, and systemic barriers all play a role in who gets support and who gets left behind. Without culturally competent therapists, affordable mental health care, and safe spaces for healing, many BIPOC individuals are left to navigate trauma alone. Addressing these inequalities is just as important as encouraging people to seek help in the first place.

Theme: Financial Stress & Survivor’s Guilt

Lyric: “Three little brothers, Mum’s forty and still ain’t paid off her student loan. My Dad can’t move, he’s fuckin’ paralysed, just went through some serious stroke.”

Financial stress and family responsibilities can be overwhelming, especially when you feel like you have to carry everything on your shoulders. When we experience hardships at home, we often put our own mental health on the back burner.

Therapy can help process the weight of these responsibilities, allowing us to navigate them without burning out. It’s okay to seek support—you don’t have to carry everything alone.

Survivor’s Guilt & Impostor Syndrome suggests that those who achieve success may feel undeserving, especially when their loved ones continue to struggle (Feenstra et al., 2020).

Theme: The Reality of Fame & Mental Health

Lyric: '“Now it’s my time to experience fame, the opps tryna find out where am I stayin’. My girl don’t believe anything I’m sayin’.”

Success doesn’t erase problems—it often introduces new ones. Fame and financial stability don’t automatically bring peace of mind. In fact, they can increase stress, trust issues, and paranoia.

Therapy can help individuals navigate major life changes, manage the pressures of success, and build healthy relationships even when outside forces create tension. When I was working with a popular mainstream rapper, they described fame as feeling like being on the FBI’s most wanted list—your face is everywhere, and it becomes difficult to distinguish between genuine fans and those who may not have the best intentions. The constant surveillance, pressure, and lack of trust can take a serious toll on mental health, leading to anxiety, paranoia, and emotional exhaustion.

The Spotlight Effect explains how people in the public eye feel like they are constantly being watched, increasing paranoia and social anxiety (Brown & Stopa, 2007).

Theme: Loss of Faith & Existential Questions

Lyric: “Lost faith in God ‘cause I thought I was cursed, kept it to myself ‘cause none of them cared. Tryna heal, but it's takin' time, what's the point in life? I don't know anymore.”

Losing faith and questioning life’s purpose is something many people go through, especially after experiencing trauma or loss. These feelings can lead to hopelessness, but they don’t have to be permanent.

Healing isn’t linear. It takes time, and setbacks are part of the process. Therapy helps explore these questions, find new meaning, and move forward at your own pace. Viktor Frankl’s Logotherapy: Frankl, a Holocaust survivor and psychiatrist, argued that the primary human drive is not pleasure (as Freud suggested) or power (as Adler believed), but the search for meaning (Perera, 2023). He found that even in the darkest moments, those who could find purpose were more resilient.

Existential Psychology suggests that people search for meaning after experiencing deep pain or trauma (Perera, 2023).

Theme: The Pressure to Provide & Burnout

Lyric: “I get more money, more problems now, I had less to worry 'bout when I was broke.”

There’s a common belief that once you achieve success, everything will fall into place. But money can’t heal emotional wounds. In some cases, it adds more pressure—responsibilities increase, expectations grow, and the fear of losing it all sets in.

Therapy helps separate internal struggles from external circumstances, allowing individuals to find balance, manage stress, and redefine success on their own terms.

The Hedonic Treadmill theory by Brickman & Campbell, 1971 suggests that people quickly adapt to new levels of success, always chasing more but never feeling fully satisfied (Hedonic Treadmill - the Decision Lab, 2025).

Final Thoughts: The Connection Between Rap & Therapy

Rap music often captures the raw realities of mental health—struggles with identity, trust, success, and healing. These lyrics tell real stories of pain and resilience, and they remind us that we’re not alone in our struggles.

Therapy, much like music, gives us a way to process emotions, understand our past, and build a better future. Healing takes time, but every step forward is a step worth taking.

If you’ve ever related to lyrics like these, consider reaching out for support. You don’t have to go through it alone.

© 2025 Seven Rivers Counselling. All rights reserved.

References

Brown, M. A., & Stopa, L. (2006). The spotlight effect and the illusion of transparency in social anxiety. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 21(6), 804–819. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2006.11.006

Cénat, J. M. (2022). Complex Racial Trauma: Evidence, Theory, Assessment, and Treatment. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 18(3), 675–687. https://doi.org/10.1177/17456916221120428

Corrigan, P. (2004). How stigma interferes with mental health care. American Psychologist, 59(7), 614–625. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066x.59.7.614

Hedonic Treadmill - The Decision Lab. (2025). The Decision Lab. https://thedecisionlab.com/reference-guide/psychology/hedonic-treadmill

Introduction to Social Learning Theory. (2024, April 9). Onlinemswprograms.com. https://www.onlinemswprograms.com/social-work/theories/social-learning-theory/

Kimberlé Crenshaw on Intersectionality, More than Two Decades Later. (2017). Columbia.edu. https://www.law.columbia.edu/news/archive/kimberle-crenshaw-intersectionality-more-two-decades-later

Mahalik, J. R., Good, G. E., & Englar-Carlson, M. (2003). Masculinity scripts, presenting concerns, and help seeking: Implications for practice and training. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 34(2), 123–131. https://doi.org/10.1037/0735-7028.34.2.123

Menzies, P. (2025). Intergenerational Trauma and Residential Schools. Thecanadianencyclopedia.ca. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/intergenerational-trauma-and-residential-schools

Schumacher, H. (2019, March 18). Why more men than women die by suicide. Bbc.com; BBC. https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20190313-why-more-men-kill-themselves-than-women

Wampold, B. E. (2015). How important are the common factors in psychotherapy? An update. World Psychiatry, 14(3), 270–277. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.20238