My personal counsellor is an eighty year old Irish Woman. She dresses in mountains of shawls, all pinned together at her shoulder by a large Scottish broach. She has dyed black hair which suits her and she uses her direct, compassionate stare to lethal effect when she needs to.
We meet regularly in a little market town in rural North Wales
For weeks she has walked beside me as I’ve analysed patterns of behaviour and emotion and has sat there all accepting and empathetic when I’ve shared things no one else will ever know, or ever know on this earth.
To me she is a kind of Yoda crossed by Guinan and Ordinary People’s Dr Berger
A quiet soul who has seen it all.
This was our last consultation until January and darkness had already fallen as we sat there .
After we ended today she held out a thin arm and we shook hands, her grip surprisingly strong
“ Happy Christmas” she said with feeling
Her spectacles shining in the lights of her period Christmas tree,
Which Sat cheerfully in the corner of her consulting room .
She sounds exactly who you needed, course or no.
ReplyDeleteWe all need a bit of self awareness
DeleteShe sounds right out of central casting. So glad she’s yours.
ReplyDeleteMe too
DeleteA wise woman. Yes, she feels like a good person to guide you
ReplyDeleteI wonder if a male counsellor would have been more therepeutic but the more I trust her the more benefit I feel
DeleteI see your point..but having had counselling myself a long time ago, the woman concerned just didn't get how I felt...but the man did. Perhaps it was just the right person, whichever
DeleteA wise, old woman, the very best kind. I'm glad you found her.
ReplyDeleteAuntie Gladys and transference John ?
DeleteLeex
Everyone needs a wise Irishwoman in their life or so my friends say !!! 😜x Bernie
DeleteKnown transference Lee
DeleteThank you for sharing that gentle scene.
ReplyDeleteI felt good after todays session
DeleteOh, I want to sit down with her and TALK!
ReplyDeleteXOXO
We all benefit from such therapy
DeleteWhat a wonderful person for you to learn from, wise because of her years and attention to observations, patience because she sees that everyone is trying hard, and kind beyond measure. She is certainly a gift in your new professional life and you, no doubt, are a gift in hers.
ReplyDeleteHappy Christmas, John.
Hugs!
I am fortunate because my supervisor is good too but in a tough way
DeleteShe sounds like the perfect counsellor. Like a wise, kind grandmother, who lets you find your own answers without judging. We all need someone like that in our lives. xx
ReplyDeleteShe talks a lot but that suits me
DeleteIf we are lucky, we can see the reason we have met the people we have met...and it sounds like you were meant to meet this woman.
ReplyDeleteShe’s reminded me that despite flaws
DeleteI’ve come along way
You have.
DeleteThe sort of person we all wish we could be.
ReplyDeleteOr visit
DeleteA little bit of Christmas whimsy John???
ReplyDeleteSweet
Keith
Xx
Perhaps but very real keith
DeleteI feel I was there with you with your description...one of your many gifts!
ReplyDeleteIt was a pivotal session
DeleteWonderful writing, John.
ReplyDeleteThank you my friend
DeleteShe sounds marvelous.
ReplyDeleteShe kind of picked me and our therapeutic relationship is a strong one I’m lucky
DeleteSounds the perfect meeting of both minds and psyches. Wonderful and rare. Uplifting and inspiring.
ReplyDeletePeople say counselling is a journey
DeleteI say it’s more a walk, a walk alongside someone who Is sharing and understanding your thoughts and growth
Beautifully and vividly written!
ReplyDelete🙂
DeleteLovely, just lovely John. Pulled up some wee tears. You have a gift for telling your story. X
ReplyDeleteDamn blogger! This was Camille.
DeleteHer guidance seems to really suit you. You are well matched. Your description shows she is a woman of many years of life experiences with great insight.
ReplyDeleteI would not mind a chat with her.
She sounds like the ideal counsellor; you're lucky.
ReplyDeleteYour description matches very much someone I used to know years ago. She sounds like a good person to chat to on a long walk.
ReplyDeleteI love this. Happy Christmas, John.
ReplyDeleteNice that you feel so comfortable sharing your deep dark secrets with this wonderful councillor. I hope you become that kind of leader too. You are a lucky man to have found her. Gigi
ReplyDeleteMentoring you for the future of good works.
ReplyDeleteWow! You shook hands with your counsellor! Wow!
ReplyDelete?
DeleteAs in "BIG NEWS" Shook hands wth counsellor, wow!
DeleteAnd why is that important for you to highlight ?
DeleteI am not sure why but this made me cry.
ReplyDelete