The Best Counselor in the WORLD!
My counselor's name is James.  He's great.  He is supportive, caring and objective.  He's taught me how to make my own decisions (right or wrong) and to believe in myself.  It's wonderful to have a relationship (albeit professional) based on mutual respect.  I've NEVER had that before.  NEVER!  I could cry thinking about how the principles that I have developed in my relationship with James can be applied to other relationships.  I've always done what other people wanted because I thought I'd lose them if I didn't.  Then I would go to the other extreme and push people away if I didn't get what I wanted.  i lost the ability to relate to others at all!  I became numb and tried to escape feeling any emotions.  I was so scared that i'd make a wrong decision that I learned to let everyone else make decisions for me

I always ask James, "What do you think?" and he comes back with, "More importantly, what do YOU think?"  And, "What do you think I should do is always answered with "I think it's important that you make decision for yourself."  I then ask, "Even if they are wrong?" and he says, "Especially if they are wrong, because then we can learn from our mistakes and grow from the experience."  I can go into a counseling session and say, "I made a decision!!"   It's a big step for me to makes decisions for ME today.
James
Random Quotes from James

"Ritualizing means creating a ceremony or making an object which symbolizes life transitions, conflicts, feelings, personal individuality, growth or the emerging self.  Our sense of self thrives on experiences which validates our uniqueness."

"As I write this it sounds cheezy, but time and time again I have witnessed in my own life and the lives of others how a  painful event in life determines a new direction or course towards growth.  Of course, the pain is agaonizing and requires courage to express and courage to seek support.  You have both talents.  You also have gifted talents such as intelligence, music, and charm.  These strengths will continue to shine and burn althought the intensity of the flame may die down during the darker moments.  The darker moments are just as important as the lighter ones, they go together like ying yang."

"Tangible things can be very powerful in the way they affect our thought and feelings."

"I don't think you "deal" with your mother.  I think you battle her...The payoff for interacting with your mother is that you hope to change her."
James has an MA  and is a Liscensed Professional Counselor.  He counsels little kids who have been abused, teens and adult survivors.  He also provides a support group to rehabilitate batters in our county. It's called Alternatives to Battering and it seeks to hold batters accountable for their actions.
HOME
Hosted by www.Geocities.ws

1