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Humility
I recently had coffee with a former graduate school professor and was reminded of the importance of humility in therapeutic practice. Not only was I reminded of my days as a student, stumbling through the wide world of social services, but also of the power, will, and strength of former clients. I was comforted in the knowledge that every person who comes to therapy is the master of his or her own world, the key holder to the door that opens to new life experiences, and the expert of his or her desires and needs.
We, as clinicians, can become expert on subject matters, but we will never know more about a person than they already know. Take comfort in the idea that you are the best person to solve problems and enhance your life.
And take care.
Incredibly important and very well said Elena!
Amen!!! I was very blessed to have some therapists who recognized this fact. I was also cursed with some who did not! Thankfully, the ones who did not never really became my therapist. I only interfaced with them on a peripheral level, but it was still enough to cause some hell in life.
The therapist who had the most impact on my life used to tell me that my real healing work I did on my own with just G-d as my help. She said that He was my real therapist and that she was more of a cheerleader. I did the work, but she had the information I needed and gave me the support I needed. I think I grew more under her than under anyone else in my life. We still talk once or twice a year. She is an amazing woman.
I suspect that most therapists get this, even though there are some real power and control ones out there. The sad thing is when the client does not get it. They are the ones who are most vulnerable to the sharks.
And then there are the clients that do not want to work. They just want to come in and have the therapist “fix” them. That won’t work. A therapist can only point the way and give information and support. They cannot do the work for the client.