cathartic
adjective

- the process of releasing strong emotions through a particular activity or experience, such as writing or theatre, in a way that helps you to understand those emotions

(Cambridge Dictionary)

Cathartic is the adjective form of the noun catharsis, which stems from the Greek "kathartikos," meaning a "cleansing" or "purification." Most definitions emphasise two essential components of catharsis: the emotional aspect (strong emotional expression and processing) and the cognitive aspect (insight, new realization and the unconscious becoming consciousness) and as a result - positive change.

Aristotle defined catharsis as "purging of the spirit of morbid and base ideas or emotions by witnessing the playing out of such emotions or ideas on stage." Freud described catharsis as an involuntary, instinctive body process, for example crying.

The American Psychological Association defines it as "the discharge of affects connected to traumatic events that had previously been repressed by bringing these events back into consciousness and re-experiencing them." In other words, reliving bad experiences of the past to cleanse them from the soul.

So how does this apply to us in the modern age? Have you ever cried during a movie and then felt better than before the movie? That was likely a cathartic experience, because it called up deep emotions to the surface. You had a "good cry," which we all need from time to time.

That "aha moment!" when you suddenly receive a new insight into something can also be described as cathartic. It might stem from a conversation, from reading a book or it might be triggered by an event or experience that promptly brings something to light, such as finally learning the definition of an English word that you have heard, but never really knew what it meant.
(partially adapted from primal-page.com)

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SYNONYMS

purgative, cleansing, purifying

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SMUGGLE OWAD INTO A CONVERSATION TODAY
say something like:

"The first session with my coach was a very cathartic experience."