Re: Quicksand

Elysha,

Let me start by saying that I don't consider myself any kind of expert at this--this is based on nothing more sound than my experience.

I think that for any therapist, survivor or otherwise, it is impossible to help others without helping ourselves. As therapists I feel that I am confronted by what is painful about the world at a very deep level, and witness human resilience that astounds me, and I cannot fail to grow and to make deeper meaning of my own life in that process.

I share your sense of responsibility, that when I am flailing and thrashing with my own issues, I am not helpful to others, and I do a lot of things to make certain that I take care of myself and my issues while I'm working with clients. But I also know that using my knowledge of how painful life can be in my work as a therapist has helped me. It has given me a way to make meaning of the abuse, a way to create good out of something that is evil.

I don't know if this is really answering your concern or is helpful at all. Feel free to clarify if I've missed.

Namaste