The Client

           I sat in my office, nine weeks in working with a man whose been silenced by society’s view of him. An older gentleman, hard on first approach, but soft at his core. He articulates his pains, which impact him daily, a forced marriage, a brutal divorce, flashbacks from the military, homelessness that led to addictions. I see a human, I see someone with a story of courage, bravery, and unprecedented circumstances that most couldn’t survive. This man has strength. This man has story.

            I don’t spend my time with an agenda of somehow making him “cured.” I ask the simple question on arrival, “how was your week, and where are we going in the hour we have today?” I let him lead with what he struggles with daily, I let him speak, I listen intently. I’ve cried with him, I’ve sat in silence with him, and I’ve laughed with him.

            This man had been in treatment for years before working with me. Suddenly he’s applying for jobs. Amazingly, he’s engaging with his family. He’s cleaning up in his toxicology reports. I reflect the changes to him within a session. His response paralyzes me in the relevance that is this profession.

“Steve, for the first time, I feel I've been heard.”

I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou

The Sun is Rising