You are not Alone
Often times, especially in the last year, I have walked into session feeling like more was needed than what I had to give. I talked about it in another post You don’t have to Know what to Do. But recently I’ve been thinking about another aspect of those times and ways that I offered myself some support. In certain sessions, where I wasn’t sure what to do, when it felt like my model that I operate out of just wasn’t exactly meeting the need that was in front of me, I had to connect to something greater than me. I had to do this to be present and essentially meet the client need. It looked different in each session and the connection wasn’t always to the same thing, but the overall practice seemed to have a pattern.
In those moments where I just had no idea what to do or say, I would internally ask myself “what would _____do here?” I would put myself in the shoes of one of my mentors, and in that moment be inspired to do something like they would do. Two things would happen. 1) I would feel connected to someone I love and trust and feel less alone and 2) my client would usually experience a shift or breakthrough of some kind.
Other times, when I was starting my day with this pervasive feeling of not having anything to offer out of my own tank, I would connect with a very important personal resource of mine which is my faith practice. I connected with my God who is bigger and wiser than I am. I would intentionally connect by lighting a candle in my office to represent the presence of God. I would take a moment to close my eyes and connect with my inner experience of God’s presence. Often times, after I did that then I would be able to move through my day with the feeling that I’m not alone in this, and wise counsel is coming from something greater than I.
As I’ve reflected on these moments, and used them even as recent as yesterday, It has really occurred to me that we really are never alone. As a therapist I walk into my sessions with the wisdom of my mentors, the experiences of all those years in supervision, the voices of the great therapists I have learned from in seminars and trainings, and most importantly my connection to my God which grounds me in a way that allows me to be fully present with others. As I even type that out I think “What A TEAM!!!” Wow! When I can slow myself down, and connect with this team, I walk into every session ready for whatever is before me.
So may you be reminded today, that you are not alone. You take with you into each session your mentors, your training, your wisdom leaders, and your source of connection to something greater than you. You have a Super Team too! So I offer this blessing on you today…
May you remember the wise words of your mentors. May you remember the training you’ve received thus far and recall what you need as you need it. May you remember that you are not alone and can connect with a grounding source that allows you to be fully present with what is here. And may you remember that your team is available to you whenever you need, simply by slowing down and connecting.
