What an incredible privilege to be a part of the journey from darkness and despair, hopelessness and inadequacy, to light and optimism, hopefulness and joy. And I recently had a session with a client who shared some profound wisdom gained during her struggle against depression and anxiety. She also recommended I name my practice “Twirling Class”. Pretty humbling.
You have to change if you want to be better. Rinse. Repeat. Change is hard; treading water is harder.
Life is a rollercoaster, stand in line for life. In my observation, a turning point for this client was the recognition that her distress didn’t make her defective or inadequate, it was often a normal reaction to an abnormal situation. Having feelings is a gift, not a curse, making peace with them is the key.
Ride or die for myself. Recognition of your value and importance is a foundation to overcoming mental health issues.
I just want to make you happy; funny thing is, I don’t need you to, I was happy when you got here. Wow. Your value doesn’t lie in the esteem of others. You are worthy of your attention, kindness, and respect. Happiness is an internal state not dependent on external factors.
My job is to paint a picture of possibility. For me, twirling is a metaphor for joy. As a therapist, I bring education, experience, and technique to the table, but maybe the most important thing I can do is help you believe in the light, see the light, and feel the light in your heart.
Diana Loesch, LPC