---
description:
  authentication:
    session_data: WorkOS session cookie value from the user's browser.
    cookie_password_unseal: >
      Password used to unseal the session cookie. Must be the same as the
      password used to seal the cookie.
originalPath: >-
  .tmp-workos-clone/packages/docs/content/reference/authkit/session-helpers/index.mdx
---

# Session helpers

After authenticating and [storing the encrypted session as a cookie](/authkit/vanilla/nodejs/3-handle-the-user-session/save-the-encrypted-session), retrieving and decrypting the session is made easy via the session helper methods.