JG Gillis Counselling

  About three years ago, a lady walked into my office and she was suffering from one of the worst cases of anxiety and depression I had seen. She was almost always in tears. I won't give her real name or her age, but let's call her Sarah.  Sarah grew up in a relatively (at least on the surface) normal family, but she felt like she was invisible growing up. She felt like she had to pour oil on troubled waters so everyone would get along. She felt like she had to be perfect and she panicked when she couldn't be. She was extremely despondent and had even considered suicide a couple of times in her life. As she sat with me telling me her present story - an infidelity in her relationship with her (now) husband - she cried. And she cried.  I started talking about looking after herself. What did she do to have fun? What activities made her feel good?  She couldn't think of any that she was practicing at the time - and said she "should" do it but couldn't stick wi...

The last eight weeks has been a whirlwind of stress and unexpected need. It has me asking myself the question: Clients come to therapists for help in their lives, navigating a sudden change, healing a trauma (or hundreds of traumas), dealing with addiction, getting back on their feet after a loss, or whatever. But who helps the therapist?  What happens when the therapist goes through that valley they are so good at helping others through? Well, I have learned a few things in the last few weeks. And here, in no particular order, are some of the things I've learned. It hits different when it's YOU . There's a degree of separation when you suggest techniques for someone else, and when the crisis is actually happening in your own life. You feel intensely alone, even though you know you are surrounded by people who care. You know it's only a perception, but the perception ... is strong. And admitting that helps the healing process start.  The feelings are real. And no less ...