Personal Reflections from the Old Leather Chair – Irene Greene MSED – 2015 c
During each “50-minute hour,” I sit in my old leather chair, which resides the five classic feet across the Oriental rug from the embodied brown client couch.
After 28 years of doing this work, I view myself as a seasoned, ethical, and skilled mental health provider who remains regularly humbled.
I have had the honor of witnessing hundreds of adults as they have traveled a portion of their life journey in my presence.
I have heard thousands of stories that have revealed thousands of miles of self-doubt, suffering, strength, survival, bravery, resilience, and growth.
The process itself, whether lasting hours or years, is, for my clients, a sort of story inside a life story. And as their helper, this is equally true for me.
-There have been sessions with tender moments of shared tears over a client’s personal success or newly remembered trauma.
-There have been inspiring transformations when a client slowly connects life-changing dots right before my very eyes.
-There have been treasured instances when a client and I have interacted in ways that were exceedingly validating for them, as well as quietly therapeutic for me.
-There have been my frozen moments of speechlessness and awe after a client has bravely read aloud their most shameful regrets.
-There have been meaningful exchanges when a client has challenged my feedback as unhelpful, and the client and I have both learned from my mistake.
-There has been the uncertain stillness after my gentle prodding of a self-protective client, when she finally reaches her hand across the couch to her crying spouse and whispers, “I am sorry.”
-There have been shared belly laughs that I am sure echoed down to the street.
-There have been last appointments when a client has carefully reviewed their goals set months prior, proudly recognized their personal growth on all counts, and can finally claim their awesomeness.
I hold deep respect for the privilege of witnessing another’s journey, and yet I am quite aware that my own journey is being written and witnessed as well.
