And now for something completely different

Almost 2 years ago I quit everything and started driving. Today, I'm studying for my first test in a Masters in Counselling program that I decided to start in March. LOTS of scenery, experiences, wine, books, amazing food, and interesting discussions have been consumed in the past two years...and very little blogging since my return. The program I'm in advocates going to counselling for the duration of the program so you can really feel the counselling experience...but that's just not me. I have been, I got what I needed, and I'll go back if I need to again. I just can't imagine paying someone to listen right now...I've got enough people that put up with me for free. And, well, I'm happy. I think any session I was a client in would consist of an hour of bragging about how great life is. Instead, I'm going to try (emphasis on try) to blog weekly on my thoughts on the program and the progress towards being a good little helper. Ya'll tell me if I got issues.

So to start...I have no idea if I'm on the right track. When I stop and think about my ultimate goals - to help people realize their unique potential - I know this is the path I want to be on. However...I'm already noticing philosophical differences between me and my classmates and professors.

I believe therapy can be a good thing. I believe having a sounding board who's only interest in you is helping you figure out how to make the right choices can be an invaluable part of life. What I'm having a hard time with is how heavy the emphasis is on life long counseling.

From my perspective, the goal is to get in and get'r done. I'm not looking to work with severely disadvantaged populations nor with those who have serious biologically based issues. I want to work with those who are capable of and have the desire to choose a better life through changes in behavior, beliefs, or attitudes. This may sound narrow and shallow, but I think helping people find happiness is just as important as helping people deal with deep-seated and physically intrinsic issues. I'd rather help someone go from a 4 to a 10 on a happiness scale than a 1 to a 5. And I think it's where my skill set lies.

However I'm finding that a dominate theme is years and years of treatment. I have met individuals who have spent 10+ years seeing the same therapist...and can't help but wonder if that therapist is doing them a disservice, building a dependency on regular sessions instead of the ability to take new skills into a better life.

I'm sure I'll find some way to bring it up in class, probably offending 90% of my classmates in the process. Who knows? Maybe I'll jump on the band wagon...or maybe I'll just end up a poverty-striken LPC who's constantly seeking out new clients since my existing ones stop showing up after a few months. At this point, I think I like option 2 better. I just hope I can find a mentor who's lead I can follow. 1 week in...can't expect that yet I suppose. If anyone has insight into the value of life-long sessions...please let me know. I'm open to it. :)

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

I've been drifting for a bit. Pleasantly so for most of the time...but drifting along is not something I do well long term.

The problem is that I quit my job and took off because I was not happy with the work I was doing. I have wanted to avoid committing myself to anything without KNOWING it was an improvement, so I've simply picked up consulting work in the areas I'm comfortable with. Unfortunately, this type of work is why I walked away in the first place. The minimal hours and constant change worked for a while, then it felt like I was back where I started. For three months (my trend) I let it simmer, but today I've come to a few decisions.

1. Stop doing work I don't like. Set an end date for the current contract and turn down any others along the same lines.

2. Finish the condo. Make it liveable or rentable. By July 1.

3. Focus on building business in areas I enjoy. This means committing to the Caroline project as a first priority.

4. If I am not LOVING the work I'm doing in a year, go back to school.

5. Put the friends back on top of the priority list. Things fall into place when I'm happy, and friends/family make me happy. Be happy.

6. Write. Every day.

Hasty decisions. The kind that always work out best for me.

Final notes...here is what I NEED in all the work I do from this point forward:

1. Primarily focused on people. At least 80% of the time interacting.

2. A product/service I believe in. It's adding to the world in some way - even if it's in the tiniest of ways.

3. Challenging. No routine, no stagnation.

4. Requires thinking on my feet.

5. Start-up important: I'm there for inception but not responsible for execution.

A lot to look for...but it's amazing how easy it is to pick the school program. Masters in Counseling. 2 years at St. Eds, then move towards opening a private practice.

Decisions make me happy. :)