The client has been coming to sessions with me for several months when he asks, "Are you a Christian?" I respond, “Is that something that’s important to you?” He explains, “I have a friend who has asked if my counselor is a Christian. It’s kind of a big deal to him.” “What did you tell him?” "I told him I don't know if you're a Christian or not, but I'm feeling better since starting to see you. I told them that you were ‘Christian Enough.’" ...read more
Pain and Pretending
Three weeks ago today I woke up at 3 am with kidney stones. If you’ve never had kidney stones, you’re probably thinking, “that’s too bad, I hear kidney stones are painful”. However, if you have had kidney stones, right about now your Post-traumatic Stress Disorder is kicking in and your having flashbacks of excruciating, mind-numbing agony. You’re starting to sweat; the room is beginning to spin. You’re nauseas and fear is streaming through your veins. …It’s ok. Breathe. It’s only a memory. ...read more
Ambiguous Loss
The pain of deep loss plays out in unpredictable ways. Unpredictability is vulnerable, and vulnerability leaves me feeling exposed. I may be exposed for what I really am... a mere mortal. Sometimes, the pain of loss is due to the death of someone treasured. A precious baby girl, a vibrant young mother, a soldier, a grandfather…. gone. Their absence leaves an aching emptiness in our hearts and vacant places in our lives. There is another kind of loss. Ambiguous loss; a loss of ...read more
Trash Day and Counseling
Until about five years ago, I’d never paid attention to recycling. Then I decide to pay the extra $5 a month for a colossal green bin. My neighbors and I do the trash stroll to the curb each Friday morning. We still have that one rogue neighbor who doesn’t have a recycle bin. We shun them at the mailbox, hoping to shame them into going green. Anyway, every week I’m shocked at how much recycling I create. How was I not recycling all those years? Now, understand, I don’t think there is any ...read more