At first glance, Step 7 appears entirely spiritual — asking a Higher Power to remove one’s shortcomings. For some, this language can be off-putting or misunderstood. However, in therapy, we can reframe it in more accessible terms: Step 7 in therapies for addiction involves the conscious surrender of patterns that no longer serve us, along with a willingness to be changed at a deeper level.
This isn’t about perfectionism or pretending we’re “clean” of character defects. It’s about acknowledging our flaws without shame, and asking for help — whether from a Higher Power, a therapist, or a supportive community — to begin the process of real change.
The Role of Humility in Psychological Growth
In therapy, we often say that insight is only the beginning. Clients may know they have issues with anger, fear, control, or dishonesty (as identified in Steps 4–6), but knowing isn’t enough. Step 7 invites the emotional posture that allows change to happen: humility.
True humility is not self-deprecation. It is the quiet strength of acknowledging our limitations while remaining open to growth. It’s the foundation of resilience, emotional regulation, and mature relationships.
From a therapist’s perspective, humility breaks down ego defences — the protective mechanisms we’ve built up over time to avoid pain, rejection, or failure. By humbly accepting that we can’t change everything alone, we create space for support, healing, and new ways of being.
Therapies for addiction often use Step 7’s principles to help clients break through long-held mental and emotional barriers. This isn’t just about stopping a behaviour — it’s about transforming the way we respond to ourselves and the world around us. The NHS also outlines how a combination of behavioural and talking therapies supports addiction recovery.
Step 7 in the Therapy Room
Here are some ways Step 7 naturally integrates into therapeutic work:
Letting Go of Control
Many clients reach a point where they realize that white-knuckling their way through life no longer works. Step 7 in therapies for addiction invites them to release that grip — to trust the process, even when it’s unfamiliar or uncomfortable.
Working Through Shame
Therapy and Step 7 both challenge the toxic belief that “I am broken.” Instead, we focus on the idea that we are human, imperfect, but worthy of growth and change. This shift from shame to humility is a critical turning point in recovery.
Trusting a Process Bigger Than the Self
Whether a client believes in a traditional Higher Power or not, therapy helps foster a sense of connection to values, community, and purpose. That connection helps clients stay grounded when they feel lost or overwhelmed by their own shortcomings.
The Therapist’s Role in Step 7
Often, Step 7 becomes a turning point where therapy deepens. Clients begin to ask not just, “What’s wrong with me?” but “What can I let go of? What am I becoming?” These are powerful, forward-facing questions that open the door to lasting change.
Step 7 is not a one-time prayer or a single moment of surrender. It’s a way of living — choosing humility over ego, trust over control, openness over fear. In the therapeutic journey, this mindset is essential for healing not only addiction but the deeper emotional wounds that often drive it.
As therapists, we honour the courage it takes to walk this path — and we walk alongside, gently encouraging clients to believe that their shortcomings do not define them. Their willingness to face them does.
“The road to recovery is paved not with perfection, but with humility.”
— Ocean Bay Recovery Therapist Team
If you or someone you love is navigating addiction, our team is here to support you with proven therapies for addiction rooted in empathy, humility, and clinical excellence. Contact us today, we’re here to walk the road with you.