Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
I was deeply moved by Stephanie’s story, humbled by her courage, articulation, intelligence, and compassion. I have discovered that there is more useful, pertinent, and compassionate information in all the Ted Talks I watch.I have had many clients in my private practice who have shared similar narratives about the pathologizing culture we live in-many marginalized by the medical community, most suffering in silence-or worse, further traumatized by the system.
I have worked with Peer Supports for over 26 years, and know it to be a viable, supportive network for anyone who chooses to connect to these supports. My personal and professional values are echoed in the Peer Support system. I have often been very frustrated by being “nudged/ pressured” to come up with a diagnosis to satisfy insurance/ for billing requirements. I have been appalled by Agency policies to “diagnose” someone after 1 or 2 sessions-again to meet the Medical/ Pathologizing model-mostly for Billing requirements. This has been very challenging when my clinical foundation is Person -centered, Narrative-solution-focussed.I have always worked with my clients to not think of themselves as a “walking alphabet label” (many of my clients are referred with 4-5 diagnoses attached to them)-which often makes them believe they are the Diagnosis, not the person who is struggling with a bx or symptom.
Before I make referrals to any community support, I always make connections myself by going to AA meetings, or community, Church gatherings-so that I have a sense of what they are like. I network with other colleagues, to learn about new resources.If I have made a connection with someone at a particular support place, I will personally call that person, in front of my client (with client’s permission) and introduce, or set up the appt, so that I can follow up later in week.Sometimes, when appropriate(E.G-DV support group) I have gone with my client to a meeting, to help ease the way.
This has been a wonderful training. This has been very educational, and I feel more hopeful about where Behavioral Health is moving, than I have in many years. I see changes happening in my own practice and Agency-a broadening of understanding of how we help support individuals who come to us for guidance and support. I have always seen my role as empowering client’s to take ownership of/ and responsibility for their own recovery.
(1). My reactions were very positive because this is a very familiar process for me, as I use it regularly with my clients. My personal life goals and professional goals always seem more achievable when I write them down in this type of format. If I write them down clearly, I know that I have started the process of committing to them clearly-and this helps me “manifest” them. I also explain this process to my clients in ways that helps them understand ways they can achieve their own goals.
(2). I realized that there were more supports available than I previously thought. It reinforced what my clients often say to me: “Until I wrote this down, I did not know I could ask for help-or that help was available should I need support”.
(3) I spend time exploring clients dreams; sometimes helping them remember the person they were when they were younger, “before what happened to me” overwhelms them with numbness or helplessness. Helping them to “dare to dream,” to allow them to hope for something different; that they can be the author of their lives again.
My general reaction to most of the questions asked in each domain, reflects my own style in counseling. I was very privileged in the long internship I received, with 2 mentors/ supervisors. One was a Bowen systems/ Narrative minister/ counselor, and the other was a Jungian Psychiatrist. I had been trained/ educated to think that my own journey, reflections, individuation, and mature growth was the grounding from which I could best help my clients in their journey to wellness; to discover their own strengths and purpose in life, as they moved closer to their own well being and recovery.
My journey helped me understand that my strengths were shaped by my life experiences, and the understanding of those experiences within the context of my family, culture and choices I made. I learned to listen differently, and ask different questions. I became a philosopher and curious about my clients and who they were-what shaped them, asking about the stories of their lives-what moved them, what gave them purpose, and how they expressed their pain and joy.Helping clients identify their strengths often takes time. One has to build the therapeutic relationship, to build trust and respect. Sometimes, if a client is not able to articulate or acknowledge that this or that is a strength, I will ask “what would your best friend, partner, parent (whoever is appropriate) say about you-what do you think he or she would say they value in you?
Diana James.
This is music to my soul. I have been practicing Narrative, Person centered therapy for 25 years, and have always coached my clients to start Mindful writing…most of my clients have learned to embrace it and make it part of their daily routines.
For myself, I have been “mindfully writing” since I was 13 y/o-as a way to connect and cherish the deeper parts of myself. Being a deep introvert, with very strict parents, and lots of family responsibilities-I would retreat to my writing late at night, to connect and communicate with my heart and soul. Music was always part of this journey of connection and discovery.I learned that I was deeply compassionate and had a great desire to understand and learn about “what makes people be who they are, or be the way they behave”—which led to trusting my own mind and heart.I also read extensively about women writers in the Victorian era and early part of the 20th Century-these letters and writings were windows into the hearts, minds and souls of other women, who were often silenced by circumstance, culture or their families. I was able to identify with many writers, and learned how powerful writing/ journaling could be to help a person stay connected to what is vital inside, to nurture imagination and ideas, while one is growing into adulthood.
In my work with clients, following the teachings of Michael White, I endeavor to help clients recognize the “problem saturated Story”, and search for the buried, or silenced narrative of strength, courage, resilience, etc–to help ct’s unpack the old narrative, and look for the other-to re-story their lives.
My name is Diana James, LMFT, LCPC, and have worked in private practice for 20 years, and within community with children, individuals and couples. I have extensive training in Jungian Sandtray and play therapy, Crisis debriefing and trauma work. I am excited about this course, post Covid, and have recognized even more how important this topic is with my clients.
