Counselling can be quite a mysterious experience. It can be tricky to ask friends and family as there is still stigma about seeking help. If we’re suffering back problems, however, people will happily refer a physiotherapist or a massage therapist that they value. So it takes extra courage to go on this journey – not only to want to find support, but to use effort to find them and take a leap of faith when sharing our story.
I find it sad when people worry about being perceived as weak for seeking help because it takes such bravery and conviction to recognise that ‘No, I don’t want this anymore for myself. I want to change it and I’m willing to put in the effort to make it happen’.
When we have ideas of where we want to be, we forget the steps we’ve already taken, the progress we’ve already made.
So to those of you who’ve taken a chance on themselves, through me:
Thank you for talking – giving weight to your voice, and valuing your uniqueness.
Thank you for being human – allowing yourself to cry and laugh.
Thank you for trusting the process – finding value without any predetermined agenda, allowing yourself to just see what comes up in a session.
Thank you for letting me witness those brave steps – from hearing memories of cherished love ones to seeing the continuous efforts to recognise, accept and nurture all parts of yourself.
As this year comes to close, I wish you moments of peace, moments of joy, and moments of hope.
