DIG YOUR WELL

by Hayne Steen, LMHC

People typically come into therapy when a circumstance, relationship or mental health issue activates an uncomfortable amount of pain and distress. It tends to be more of a reactive relationship with counseling.  

The best time to get a mental health resource in place is before tragedy strikes. A trusted friend of mine calls this “digging your well before you’re thirsty.” Getting established with a mental health counselor at Elbow Tree who you trust could be one critical way you prepare for trouble ahead. 

Let’s face it. Life throws us some menacing curve balls. 

• A loved one receives a scary medical diagnoses. 
• A spouse or partner loses that loving feeling.
• An unexpected expense puts a strain on family finances.
• A child begins demonstrating some high risk behaviors. 
• An intense weather system floods your neighborhood and damages your home.  
• A co-worker dies suddenly. 
  
  

In this world there will be trouble. Resilient men and women learn to embrace this truth. There may be no other culture of professionals in the world who are more acquainted with this truth than fire rescue personnel. Every day and every night you stand watch and listen for the tones.

In a world full of so much trouble, we can become jaded believing that world is ONLY trouble. Sometimes we just need some help leaning into the trouble as we learn how to hunt for the good. (good, beautiful and true) in the midst of our devastation.

Counseling is a space completely dedicated to promoting human resilience where we (1) can name the trouble we've known, (3) begin to hunt for the good and (3) grow in our ability to determine for ourselves what kinds of things are helpful to us and what things (practices, people, priorities) are actually quite harmful to us. 

Did you know that the severity of the impact of trauma is determined by two things? Frequency and duration. The greater the frequency and longer the duration of the trauma exposure, the more dynamic the emotional and psychological injury will be. 

Your job serving in fire rescue guarantees you will experience both frequent and enduring vicarious (nearby) and direct (head on) exposures to trauma. Your years of dedicated and faithful service to the fire rescue service will leave a harmful impression.

Not everyone wants to go to counseling. You are not alone if you experience a noticeable inner resistance to meeting with a counselor. We get it! It’s a massively vulnerable step to take. Firefighters are not the only ones who experience resistance. Here are a handful of "Reasons why people refuse to see a counselor." 

Do any of these feel familiar? 

• “Why would I go to counseling when there is nothing really bothering me right now?” … 
• “I don’t want to take away a resource that someone else might need.” …
• "I'd rather talk to my friends." ...
• "I don't have time." ...
• "I saw a counselor once, and it didn't help." ...
• "What good is talking going to do?" ...
• "I'd feel weird talking about this stuff to a stranger." ...
• "Therapists don't say anything; they just sit there and judge you."

Source:https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/i-hear-you/201710/10-reasons-why-people-refuse-talk-therapists

Each of the reasons to refuse counseling listed above are honest and legitimate expressions of resistance to pursuing therapy. Here's what I'd like for you to consider. 

1. Notice your resistance but don’t get stuck there. 
2. Call us and let's schedule your first appointment. 
   
   

The hardest part of getting started…is getting started. So grab a shovel and let’s dig a well before you are thirsty…before tragedy strikes.

If you think you'd like to explore having a regular space like this, don't hesitate to reach out and set up your first session, You can call our live operator 24/7 at  (904) 877-4750 and we will be in touch within 24 hours and get you scheduled for your first appointment within 7-10 days.