In the season finale of The Kardashians, Kim Kardashian shared an early breakthrough she experienced in therapy with her older sister, Kourtney. After years of nudging from Kourtney, Kim finally decided to seek professional help and had a significant ‘lightbulb moment’ during a recent session.

Kim, 43, had previously considered her ability to stay calm in emergency situations as her ‘superpower.’ However, her therapist suggested this might actually be a trauma response from living in ‘fight or flight mode.’ Kim admitted that she was initially reluctant to start therapy but now recognizes how her calm demeanor may have developed as a defense mechanism from becoming ‘desensitized from trauma.’

While talking to Khloé Kardashian earlier this season, Kim revealed that her therapist theorized her instinct to remain calm in crises likely stemmed from a past traumatic event. “One time in life, something happened, and you remained calm, and that worked for you, so you will always choose calm,” her therapist had told her.

Khloé speculated that the traumatic event could be the 2016 robbery at gunpoint in Kim’s Paris hotel room, during which she had $10 million worth of jewelry stolen and was bound by her wrists and ankles. Khloé pointed out that Kim wasn’t always calm, especially not as a teenager or in her twenties, when she would often cry and throw tantrums. The robbery, where Kim’s calmness likely saved her life, seemed to mark a significant change in her demeanor.

During a confessional, Kim recounted the harrowing details of the robbery. She described having a gun held to her head, being tied up, and dragged across a hotel room while an intruder told her, “Stay calm and you’ll live.” This traumatic event, she reflected, made her realize the importance of remaining calm in life-threatening situations.

Kim’s therapy journey has also led her to acknowledge her ‘bulldoze’ personality, particularly in managing her schedule and relationships. She recounted how an ex-boyfriend’s suggestion to take a week off work marked the beginning of the end for their relationship, as she couldn’t tolerate anyone disrupting her plans.

Kourtney was thrilled to hear about Kim’s progress in therapy. Kim admitted in a confessional that she has always looked up to Kourtney, often following in her footsteps. “When someone tells me not to do something that I planned on, I physically get like, ‘you’re getting in my way, and I will bulldoze whatever’s in my way,’” Kim explained.

During their conversation, Kourtney emphasized the importance of understanding oneself and the reasons behind one’s choices. “The biggest thing is just getting to know yourself and why you make certain choices and why you operate that way,” Kourtney said. “I think once you know it, it can help you make a better decision.”

Kim agreed that therapy could help improve her relationships with her kids and future partner. She also shared that her therapist watches their show and believes all the Kardashian sisters, especially Kim and Khloé, could benefit from therapy.

Kourtney related to Kim’s newfound calmness, explaining that trauma can lead to a tendency to downplay everything as a form of self-protection. “I think that’s why in emergency situations, I feel like my superpower is to be calm,” Kourtney said.

When asked by a producer if the entire Kardashian-Jenner family should consider family therapy, Kourtney quickly dismissed the idea. She felt that everyone is at a different stage in their personal journey and should address their own issues individually. “Absolutely not. Everyone’s at a different place in the board game, you know, getting to the finish line, and I feel like everyone just do your own s**t,” she explained.

The robbery in 2016 profoundly affected Kim, who has since become a ‘completely different person.’ To feel safe, she no longer allows expensive items in her home and only wears borrowed or fake jewelry. This change, she told Andy Cohen during the Keeping Up with the Kardashians reunion, stems from her inability to sleep if she has valuables in her house.

Kim’s therapy journey has been transformative, helping her uncover hidden trauma and guiding her towards self-discovery. As she continues to navigate her path, she remains committed to improving her relationships and understanding the deeper reasons behind her actions.