A logo for a counseling center called transforming life

From the Counselors Couch...

March 12, 2020
From the Counselor's Couch - TLCC
By Michelle Garrett, MS, LMFT

I can’t tell you how many times I get the question, “HOW do you do what you do (for a living)?” Some brave souls will even ask,”WHY?!” I suppose they’re implying, “why would you want to listen to people’s problems all day?” Or maybe, “how do you manage to hear difficult stories all day without slipping into some deep, dark, depression yourself?”   

Quite honestly, my clients inspire me. I am touched by their trust, honesty and vulnerability. I never liked being around fake people. People tend to lose the facade when they allow themselves the difficult privilege of looking deeply into themselves and life’s painful experiences. It is this journey, where many of life’s valuable lessons occur:
  1.  Learning to be vulnerable with another person doesn’t have to be scary.
  2.  Dealing with painful emotions actually leads to freedom and healing. 
  3. Pain can also provide the best opportunities for healing and learning. 
  4. Present pain often brings up past trauma and can to healing old wounds
  5. As someone goes deeper with their private pain, they often find the courage to go deeper in their own relationships
Therapy is a very personal journey. Being heard, validated and understood is so important. As a therapist, I’ve found that staying connected to my client, their pain and their perception of life’s circumstances, while trying to keep my eye on the bigger picture of hope, strength and possibility, is so important. It can be difficult to communicating both: If you over-communicate hope, you can lose connection. If you over connect/identify with the client and their pain, you can lose objectivity and, even become caught in the tailspin that brought them in, in the first place.   

My days are never boring. Each person is unique. Every story is different. And, the ways depression or anxiety or trauma affects people and their relationships adds a different layer, too. My clients are courageous people and I learn something new with each and every client. They allow me to partner with them on that journey. And, that, too, is a privilege. 

I’ve often said that we get a front row seat to watching God’s work in people’s lives. I’ve learned so much from my clients and their courageous and sometimes humbling work. It’s deeply personal and beautiful. I can’t tell you how many times I have seen things come together in someone’s life that dismantles old, ineffective and disabling aspects in their lives, and then watch the pieces fall into place where healing and repaired relationships occur. Pain and trauma can become opportunity. Paradigms shift and new ways of living can occur.

Sometimes, a person’s story stops me in my tracks. There are times I almost can’t comprehend the amount of trauma and pain, one person or family can endure. There are times where I am angry, hurt and overwhelmed right along with them. Watching my clients find strength they didn’t know they had, and the courage to push through the toughest things in life, is more than inspiring. And, I feel it is my job to roll up my sleeves and be tough enough to partner with them to help them find strength, resources, relationships and hope. The story is theirs, and the victory is theirs. But, I am just along for the ride and, I am honored. 

So, if you’ve ever wondered about how hard it is to do what we counselors do, please know there are so many blessings. From the counselor’s couch, this work is a privilege and an honor, and, quite honestly, I am inspired. 

A street light decorated for christmas with a red bow
December 4, 2024
“Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you from Transforming Life Counseling Center. May your Holidays and New Year be blessed!”
A little boy is riding a tricycle with a christmas tree on the back.
December 4, 2024
By Victoria Scoville, LCSW, IMH-E®
Gingerbread cookies in the shape of stars are sitting on a table next to a pine cone.
December 4, 2024
By Cindy Rose, M.A., LPC-C
Two pine cones are sitting on a table in front of a christmas tree.
By Caleb Scoville December 4, 2024
By Caleb Scoville, LPC-S
A woman is holding a cup of hot chocolate with whipped cream and marshmallows.
December 4, 2024
by Michelle Garrett, MS, LMFT
A conference room with a table and chairs and plates on the wall
December 4, 2024
TLCC often has the pleasure of offering training and CEUs to its staff members and extends these opportunities to those in the counseling community. During our last quarter, TLCC heard from a variety of treatment centers and professionals on mental health topics that expanded our team’s knowledge of resources to better serve our community. Stages of Recovery provided information regarding outpatient Drug and Alcohol Rehab in Oklahoma and Texas. Next Level Senior Advisors provided information about the work they do in helping senior adults and their families find the right fit for their loved ones in assisted living. Live Better at Home shared information about senior home care services they offer in the OKC metro area. Please see an overview of each, to determine if you, or someone you know, might benefit from their services and/or the information they provided. Stages of Recovery TLCC wants to thank Linda Morgan for coming to speak with TLCC therapists to tell us more about Stages of Recovery and the great work they do in OKC and Texas. Stages of Recovery is an outpatient dual-diagnosis drug and alcohol rehab, meaning they treat both addiction and any co-occurring mental health conditions. Stages uses a comprehensive model combining psychiatric, behavioral and holistic therapies. For more information, please see the link above. Live Better At Home TLCC wants to thank Jeremy Allen CEO and Kelly Garrett from Live Better at Home for speaking with TLCC staff about the great work they do in the OKC metro area. LiveBetter at Home provides professional home care services tailored to support seniors and individuals needing assistance in the Greater Oklahoma City area. Our services are designed to enhance independence and quality of life while maintaining the comfort and familiarity of home. Our key offerings of personal care, respite care, and virtual care, provide assistance with daily activities such as meal preparation, medication reminders, personal hygiene, light housekeeping, transportation and companionship. For more information, please see the link above. Next Level Senior Advisors TLCC wants to thank Matt Wilson, CEO and Sara Cook, RN from Next Level Senior Advisors for taking the time to speak to TLCC therapists and provide information regarding the great work they do in multiple states. Next Level Senior Advisors is a dedicated Senior referral and placement agency, that specializes in helping families navigate the complexities and transition into Senior Living. They offer personalized consultations; access to a wide network of senior living facilities offering different levels of care, expert advice and guidance through this process, and ongoing support and advocacy. For more information, please see the link above. We want to say a big thank you and Happy Holidays to all our presenters!
More Posts
Share by: