The Speech Spirit
Since beginning this blog in October 2008, one of my goals was to include both spiritual and holistic approaches to therapy, thus treating the WHOLE child, not just the disorder/delay. In addition, I believe, that just as we need to give attention to diet and exercise, we also need to address and feed our spirit. I believe we are spiritual beings and that the children and families we treat are as well.
So, in order to be true to my own convictions and practices, as well as provide our readers with an alternative therapeutic perspective, I've chosen to make the first post of every month a holistic and spiritually-based message.
The first post of 2009 addressed the concept of BALANCE and served as an encouragement to parents and therapists to maintain equilibrium between the personal and the professional pieces of life. In honor of Valentine's Day, I've chosen to make this month's message LOVE; however not in the traditional sense that you may expect.
There are days in this job when I walk into a home full of chaos and I want to scream. Even though I may not "like" this situation very much, I try to remember that "loving" the child and "loving" this family may mean a lot more. We are not asked to "like" everyone we encounter in this profession, but we are called to do what is best for them, essentially, we are called to love.
- LOVE myself. Be realistic about what I can handle and what I cannot. Do I need to bring in another therapist for a consultation or evaluation? Do I need to seek out another professional for advice or guidance with this child? Loving myself means being true to my "gut feeling" and instincts. I have been making a point of really listening to myself and how I feel when making a decision. Do I feel uneasy or does it just feel right? Trusting that internal compass that I believe is my spirit has become key and the more I listen, the louder it gets.
- LOVE the child. Be realistic and always hopeful about the child. The longer I am in this profession, the more successes I see because I have the gift of watching children grow, learn and develop. It's amazing to look back to this time last year at how far all the children have come. I have also learned that sometimes putting the textbook theories away and simply loving this little person can make all the difference. A big hug, a warm smile and genuine care can often change the tune of a session and help a child feel safe enough to take a risk, try a new skill and feel confident.
- LOVE the family. This one is often the toughest for me. Although I have a limited psychology background, I do love empowering people and guiding them on a positive path. I have learned that if I can demonstrate to a family that I am truly invested their child their participation in therapy will improve. In addition, I now set clear expectations of the parent(s) when therapy first begins so that they understand they are important in the process. I have learned that what is innate and natural for some parents is completely unnatural for others. No two parents are the same; therefore the coaching and education they need regarding their child's disorder/delay may be very unique and individualized.
Now, of course, I am not always successful, but trying to remember these three methods of approach has helped me tremendously through my years as a clinician.
Join us Friday for Valentine's Day activities that your little clients will LOVE!