clinical work

My female owner finally saw all her clients for at least one session. This week has been a “full-on” (Aussie slang) week, with 4 new clients, 1 returning client and a parenting group.

My female owner says that she’s in a strange situation, because she is primarily working with parents to manage their problematic child(ren). She had lotsa cognitive dissonance about doing her internship at her present clinic because i) she has no plans to be a parent ii) she does not like children. Tripled with her inexperience, it doesn’t make her very credible, does it?

Anyway, despite the hectic week, she came out of it, loving clinical work (not because she sees other people in misery!). In the midst of the parents’ misery/ desperation, my female owner sees hope and love in their eyes. Hope that they are not too late in seeking help and love so great, that they are willing to invest time, effort and money to do something about their children. Even the anxious adult client who has been suffering from anxiety for the last 12 years said that he wants to “start living, and not just exist”. Such powerful and hopeful words, from someone who has had to cope with long-term unemployment, physical conditions and psychological distress.

She also realised the power of words spoken in due season. My female owner has always felt that talk is cheap (you know, the “action speaks louder than words” concept). She had been disappointed many times by you-know-who who promised that he would do certain things for her (even simple things like checking out the price of something) only to realise later that the promised deed was not done. So, she rather just do things, without saying anything. Of course, that led to other complications like being labeled as a cold fish or not contributing at work (“need to manage your boss”).

Anyway, as I was saying, yah, my female owner would pray for her clients, asking God to equip her with the right skills and words to speak to their situations. She started to speak words of encouragement to her clients (especially the mothers) to help them see the good that they have been doing. A lot of them blame themselves for their children's behaviours.

It’s amazing to see how simple statements that affirm the hard work they are doing and that reflect their sentiments can enable two strangers to connect and allow the clients to confront their parenting issues more openly with their partners.