“Learning how to be still, to really be still and let life happen, that stillness becomes a radiance.” – Morgan Freeman
Positively Purging-I welcome your feedbacks in the comments and your likes and passing the real life wisdom on to others as I embark on this new venture of “positively purging“, as I know each of these pieces represents something…
Frequently the advice is to find or consult with a therapist. We live in a large city with an overwhelming number of options. Where do you start and how do you find the right person that will gel well with your needs and personality? – Searching
Dear Searching: Great question! Start by thinking about your goals. While you don’t have to have a clear idea of what the end result looks like, thinking through your hopes for a therapeutic relationship will guide your search.
Use a website like PsychologyToday.com to filter therapists in your area by any criteria that are important to you, like therapists who specialize in working with children, or therapists who have experience with clients on the autism spectrum.
The wide range of filters can also help you think through other aspects of this relationship that might be important to you, such as race, religious affiliation (if any), and experience working with certain communities, like the LGBTQ population.
Next, you may want to familiarize yourself with the different types of therapy offered. You don’t have to be an expert, of course, but it may be less daunting to google some of the terms with which you’re not familiar, like cognitive behavioral therapy or internal family systems. GoodTherapy.org has a wonderful primer on some of the different types.
When you reach out to a therapist, they’ll schedule a 15-minute consultation, usually by phone. This is a good time to get a sense of how this relationship might work.
Some questions to consider asking:
What type of therapy do you practice, and can you give me an example of what that would look like in session?
Do you work with an agenda in session, and do you recommend doing “homework” between sessions?
How often do you recommend meeting and do you work online or in-person?
Do you offer feedback and response in-session?
There’s no right answer. This is more about finding a style and approach that works for you.
If it feels promising and you schedule an intake, don’t be afraid to continue asking questions and give feedback where appropriate. Also, be open to the possibility that you may not find a match that works for you right away. Therapists understand that this is a process to which you are both contributing. It’s fine to say, “this aspect doesn’t feel right; can we talk about it?”
As with any other relationship, professional or personal, it may take time to find your groove. Please don’t let any trial and error discourage you. It’s worth the time you put into it.
imagination is about expansion and possibilities. It’s going beyond the practicalities of everyday life and calling in the source of the soul, the power of collective communion and collaboration, and the beauty of something bigger than I ordinarily dream for myself and the way I move through the world. It’s allowing the imagination to play and for intuition have its say. It’s about releasing any preconceived ideas about what and how life should be, releasing control to live more in the imagination, more in the flow. It’s the softness and subtle strength and power of the feminine form. This reverence requires an embodied way of being in the world. The integration and synchronization body, mind and spirit. It’s not an ethereal idea, but a delightedly disciplined way of being. It’s a knowing that giving ourselves the nourishment we need and willingness to show up for what we desire and dream is the foundation of our well-being.
RANT to highway crews who leave lane closure signs up after they no longer apply. So frustrating to wait in a nighttime backup to funnel down on I-405, only to find all lanes are wide open.
RANT to the retailers who drown the advertising airways with 50% off this and 40% off that until the discounts mean nothing. If you folks want to sell us something you should advertise the price we will have to pay and forget the meaningless discounts off your products. Same with the buy one get one free — come on. Nothing’s free in this world except the light of day and the dark of night.
RANT to all the inconsiderate drivers who park in reserved spots at Kaiser on Capitol Hill. I was a radiology oncology patient for a few weeks and MOST of the time, the spaces reserved for us were taken up by others! IF you are one of their patients, you are given a pass to park in these CLEARLY marked spaces for each of your visits. By taking up these spaces YOU have caused us to waste valuable time cruising through the bowels of the parking garage looking for parking. I wouldn’t wish cancer on anyone, even my worst enemy. Please show some consideration to others, as someday YOU may be in need of one of these reserved spaces for yourself or a loved one.
RANT to dog owners who take their dogs off leash and let them run toward and touch other people trying to enjoy a walk too, as if the dog’s rights and enjoyment (and freedom) come first and matter more. Try some basic human respect, rude and selfish narcissists! Leash your dogs. Or use the off-leash dog parks that cater to YOUR special interest and don’t ruin other people’s attempt to partake of theirs, such as a peaceful nature walk with possible bird-watching/listening and freedom from fear of being attacked or bitten.
RANT to those who think it’s fine to leave stuff on the curb — everything from furniture, mattresses, kitchen stuff — here in Seattle this is illegal dumping! If your stuff is usable, there are many organizations such as The Salvation Army that will pick up donations to help people in need. If it is broken and unfit for reuse, take it to the transfer station or call a local junk-removal company to get rid of it. Your neighbors don’t appreciate junk left on the parking strip.
RANT to my neighbors with stunning decks overlooking Lake Washington who never use them. Every day I walk my dog past these beautiful homes and see zero people outside enjoying the view — morning or evening, even during summer. Meanwhile, I live in a basement apartment with no deck and no view. It’s frustrating to see such a wonderful opportunity for relaxation and appreciation go to waste. Please, step outside and enjoy
Positively Purging-I welcome your feedbacks in the comments and your likes and passing the real life wisdom on to others as I embark on this new venture of “positively purging“, as I know each of these pieces represents something…
Real Life of an MSW 