Guest Post: Why do people come talk to you?
- Jeremy
- Oct 2, 2015
- 3 min read
Why do people come talk to you? Someone asked me this today. I couldn’t come up with anything. They then asked me about my education and academic stuff, which I believe has very little to do with why people come talk to me.
Don’t get me wrong, I think education is necessary but that isn’t the WHY. I have pondered this question throughout my career and have thought different things at different points along my journey. I stumbled upon something about a year ago that led me to think that my trying to be as human as possible in moments I share with people is what lead me to be a decent therapist.
I try to not hide behind any pillars of inauthenticity or perfectionism and I do believe that helps create a sense of SAFETY and SHARED experience with people. It helps people put down the armor they need to survive in everyday life. The problem with armor is that it gets heavy and our body gets weary from wearing it. I have always seen a therapist office as a place of refuge, where one can take off the armor and be lighter and more free. It is a space to practice STILLNESS and BEING, instead of action and doing. That can sometimes feel really good and create some much needed space and room to breathe, especially in this BUSY world we live in.
I am an eternal OPTIMIST. I have witnessed the resilience of the HUMAN SPIRIT for the last 17 years of my life. I share my optimism in what is possible, with anyone who will listen. Most importantly, I don’t just know this in my head, I know it in my heart. I hope I can convey a “felt sense” (one that is below the head AND in the HEART) that people can change and use the not so good stuff that has happened to become even stronger.
One of the greatest privileges of being a therapist is getting to witness HERO’S everyday I work. Christopher Reeve’s definition of hero is: an ordinary individual who finds the strength to preserve and endure in the face of overwhelming obstacles.
I am a big DREAMER and DWELLER in WHAT IS POSSIBLE. I work hard to take care of myself so that I don’t get a too narrow view of life and all of its possibilities. I hope this is some of what leads people my way. I hope I help create space inside their hearts and minds that they might not have known was there.
When one takes off the armor and sits in stillness, surrounded by LOVE and ACCEPTANCE, there is sometimes some CONNECTION that occurs that is inexplainable with words. This connection is what makes me get out of bed in the morning. This connection changes BOTH of our lives. I have learned from everyone who has ever stepped inside my office. Most of those I see are more successful and intelligent than I have ever thought of being. I teach people how to breathe and be still and they teach me most other things about life. Perhaps I have again skirted around the question of why people would want to come talk to me but I have none the less offered my current 2 cents about it.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Amy Guy is a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC) with over 17 years experience. She founded The Wellness Loft in 2012. The Wellness Loft houses 6 IL state-licensed therapists serving the Effingham area.
They offer a strength based therapy approach that creates a sense of HOPE & PEACE by helping people focus on the positive, the effective, and reasonable solutions that are available. A strength based approach encourages what we are hopeful about, what we are already doing well, and what character traits can be used in finding solutions. Their passion is to help people of all ages find wellness and peace.
Comments