To a
large extent, we humans create our own experience by how we interpret and
respond to events and by how we imagine the future. Our responses tend to be preprogrammed by early life experiences. Our own minds can multiply, confuse, and
perpetuate the inevitable pain in life, or heal us to greater joy, love, and
creativity. Personal counseling can
help us to master our imaginative creation and to steer toward the life we
choose with effective strategies.
Teens
Teens have the great challenge of finding their
place in the larger world. Peer
judgments, sexual and romantic feelings, and expectations for performance can
present pitfalls for their self-esteem until they learn to take a stand for
their intrinsic worthiness and discover their unique competencies. They have newly adult bodies and the
capacity for actions that have serious consequences. In this transition between child dependence and adult responsibility,
they are confronted with choices that have not been provided or screened by
their parents. At some point they
realize that their parents can no longer control them. They may take their freedom by sneaking and
lying to avoid confrontation and therefore lose the benefit of adult guidance
and perspective. Ideally, they and
their parents learn to negotiate with each other to exchange more
responsibility for more freedom.
Elders
Retirement is an opportunity
to re-create our lives with new vitality and purpose. To claim this pleasure and joy, we need to complete unfinished
business, make peace with losses, harvest the wise learning of a lifetime, and
find ways to share this wisdom where it is needed.
Learning to
robustly enjoy being single paradoxically prepares you for good loving
relationships. Counseling can help you
change unsuccessful patterns and develop strategies for getting what you want.
After the
spontaneous enchantment of “falling in love”, you and your mate go through
predictable stages that require adjustment or result in stress. Find continued harmony and happiness by
learning to negotiate for what you really need and want.
When you see your child
struggling, you may find that your initial response is not helpful. Even a brief consultation can give you an
understanding of how to proceed.
Difficulty with a boss,
co-worker, subordinate, or client can cause excessive stress and detract from
the quality of your work. Learning the
skills of emotional intelligence can enable you to make the most of your opportunities.