Many people are fascinated by the concepts underlying the Law of Attraction. As a therapist, I believe it is one perspective that can be helpful to clients as a way of helping them understand the whys of and hows of changing their thoughts. Which, in return, will change the way they feel. Cognitive behavioral therapy also has a foundation of concepts that confirms that our thoughts create our feelings, our feelings drive our behaviors, and then our behaviors, or actions, reinforce our feelings and thoughts.
I feel blessed to understand this. I can help clients and also help myself. I can look for perspectives on difficult situations that I cannot control or change, or choose to not control or change and find a way to feel peace, acceptance, and hope.
I pray for the strength, skill, intelligence and insight so that I can share this gift with my clients. I can use the ideas I have to create perspectives that are grounded in reality, and yet, can offer insight into ways of framing a situation in order to help myself and my clients that allow us to have peace, experience hope, and also allow us to continue to grow and develop as healthy human beings who continue to reach our goals and experience the joy and happiness of being alive and experiencing our world as it is, and yet cope with all the everyday stressors and challenges without being overwhelmed or mentally and emotionally incapacitated by them.
It does take work. There are coping skills, or techniques, that we use to begin to create thoughts that lead to happy and productive feelings.
In my next blog, we will being to learn about the different methods used to help us create thoughts that increase joy, lessen depression, increase peace - decrease anxiety.
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Reflections on the past week -Let's look at the word "insight"
As a counselor in the mental health field, I strive to bring insight and awareness to my clients.
Let's start by making sure we are all on the same page when discussing insight. The dictionary definition is:
an understanding of relationships that sheds light on or helps solve a problem.
(in psychotherapy) the recognition of sources of emotional difficulty.
an understanding of the motivational forces behind one's actions, thoughts, or behavior; self-knowledge.
So, basically we know that insight is that "ahah" moment when we truly understand ourselves and the sources of distress, be it depression, anxiety, a string of failed relationships, whatever a client's presenting problem may be.
However, my experience as a psychotherapist/counselor is that in order to bring a source of a psychological problem into a client's awareness is not as simple as pointing out a flaw in the thinking or process of thinking in a client. It is best done by asking questions that require a client to think in such a way that the insight arises within (get it...insight...from within)...the client her/himself.
In our "instant gratification" society, so many of us want to be told what our problem is and what to do about it. However, if we take the time to reflect on questions asked by our therapists/counselors; to actually keep a journal when requested; to continue with attendance at therapy even when sometimes the thought is" I don't feel better yet" (after two sessions). This requires a setting aside of the need for instant. If we want to see the results of "instant" just look at the number of addicts in our society today...it is frightening.
I urge anyone beginning the journey of self-discovery and self-awareness through the process of engaging in counseling, to give yourselves and the counseling experience a chance to permeate the layers of your subconscious.... therapy does work if you meet your therapist half-way and take a few suggestions.
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