I don’t think I’ve ever talked here about why I specialized in trauma. It’s the main focus of my weekly work, the foundation of so many hour-long discussions, and a field I’m passionate about helping people recover from. So I figured—why haven’t I shared more about what drew me to it? The defining moment happenedContinue reading “Transforming Trauma”
Category Archives: Mental Health Counseling
Mapping the Territory of Confidence and Doubt
Are you able to discern the difference between when you’re in an insecure or secure state of being? As I sat shoeless and cross-legged on the floor of my office with a client, who also sat barefooted and cross-legged on a nearby brown leather loveseat, the focus of our hour-long counseling session fell on thisContinue reading “Mapping the Territory of Confidence and Doubt”
Weighty Inspirations
I experience giddy bursts of sudden energy, like powerful blasts that scream, “Let’s write!” or “Let’s take on all the projects!” It’s a feeling that makes me feel as if I’m Zeus soaring around his throne at Mount Olympus. The duration of these bursts is unpredictable, and I never know when they’ll come again, butContinue reading “Weighty Inspirations”
Have You Ever Seen The Rain
Instead of saying, “I miss him so much,” or “I’m so angry,” try seeing what happens when you change it to, “Something in me misses him so much,” or “Something in me is so angry.” I like exercises that can shift my perspective. Especially when they take an eclipsing experience and shave it down toContinue reading “Have You Ever Seen The Rain”
The Tale of The Teeniest Rubber Chicken
Eyes sunk deep in their sockets, I trudge myself to work. Last night’s D&D session 11 pm, followed by writing and yoga, led to a late night for this sweet body of mine. I felt it, too, like a hangover. Still, when arriving at my office, snaking through its corners, and flipping on lights, IContinue reading “The Tale of The Teeniest Rubber Chicken”
Litter Of Critters
Seeing the evidence of her disdain in session, panicky eyes, scrunching face like she’d eaten something rotten, and the defensive tone she used, it was evident how much a client I see hates how their mom nitpicks their clothes choices. But why, if the mom gets such a negative response from her daughter, does sheContinue reading “Litter Of Critters”
Bada Bing, Bada Boom
“I don’t like ’em. It’s not only the mush, but the firm. Like, pick a side, ya know?” A Tony Soprano-like client’s negative feelings towards mushrooms made the tea almost come out of my mouth and back into the cup. Thankfully I’m used to his humor. I also learned how clients cook their annual turkeys,Continue reading “Bada Bing, Bada Boom”
Counseling 911
During my internship, I sat with a woman whose anger in the session was visceral; body trembling, mouth spitting, and laser-cutting eyes. I didn’t like her, as she blamed everyone else for her problems. This time it was her kid’s fault that she’d pressed the gas pedal too hard, leading to her ultimately getting a speeding ticket. I’dContinue reading “Counseling 911”
Writing Exercise: The Mirror
The writing exercise for last week asked me to look in the mirror for ten minutes. If this also isn’t in your comfort zone, you can empathize with my wanting to avoid it at all costs. But for the sake of the word, that is my god I dutifully abided. If you’re interested in playingContinue reading “Writing Exercise: The Mirror”
Smitten To Listen
Do you know the older radios where twisting the dial tunes in the station? I think relationships are like that; in that, you need to tune your listening and empathy skills to the different frequencies of a person in order to meet their needs. As a counselor, I know this to be accurate, as IContinue reading “Smitten To Listen”
Going On 40 