In a Changing Economy....

Folks, one of my teachers spoke on Sunday, and I thought I'd share the gist of it with you, as I thought it was important. It can be easy to get caught up in fear and anxiety right now.

One way of looking at what is going on right now is the collapse of smoke and mirrors - the end of things built on debt, the end of things being rewarded even though they bring no real value, the end of an unsustainable way of being.

What that means is the re-valuing of those things that are important. And what we do as therapists is important. People want peace of mind. They crave a relief from suffering. They need help keeping their marriages going. These are the real centers of people lives - not cars or stuff. And so, if you are a therapist who creates value in people's lives (and health and wholeness is valuable), you will continue to get business.

You may need to re-work how you discuss your business to focus more on results. You may need to help people work with their insurance (whether in or out-of-network). You may need to market more. But do not think this is the end of counseling business. It isn't.

More coming on this very big topic..........best, Your Grateful Guy

The Difference Between Information and Experience

So I have been blessed to get free tickets to see both Eckhart Tolle and Deepak Chopra speak over the last two weeks. Both were wonderful - accomplished people who obviously knew things deeply and were ready to teach. But I have to say, while Dr. Chopra's talk held lots of fascinating information - it was Eckhart Tolle which was profound and affecting for me. Why? I think it goes to getting information vs. an experience.

Chopra, a doctor and lecturer, did just that. He lectured. With a couple short imaginative exercises (a minute or so), which he honestly didn't seem very comfortable with. I came out with some new thoughts and new questions, but was quite ready for it to be over.

Tolle engaged us in trying to *be* a different way for the three hours. To experience presence in a different way. He brought forth experiment after experiment, and experience and experience. I felt challenged and called forth to try to feel, be, think, and *not* think differently with him. It was a "lab class", I guess. And I was moved in a way that hasn't gone back yet.

I think we need to remember the value of the therapy we do. Sure, clients often refer back to something we taught them, or said - a rule, a phrase, a tool. But underlying all that, and where I think the most profound healing comes is when they experience something radically different with us.

It's when we listen, accept, receive, see, understand, love, challenge, hold, stay with, call forth, contain, connect, resonate and be with them in a way they have never experience before that the movement and healing happens. Things that reading a self-help book just can't do.

That is our deep value. That is the intangible, esoteric value we bring. Don't forget it. Don't undervalue it.

Namaste, Your Grateful Guy

One of Many Reasons I Know You Can Make a Living At Psychotherapy: Look at the Mall

So I have long fought the scarcity mentality that seems to be alive in the mental health field. That attitude that we can't make a good living being a therapist, or that it's getting worse, etc. etc. Phooey. That's a crock.

One way I know this is by going to the mall. Have you been to a mall lately? It's amazing how much stuff there is for sale. Stuff that no one really needs. Malls are not about needs, they are about wants and about stuff, and when I see blue jeans that cost more than a session with me, I know there is money out there to be spent. If I can provide value, there is money out there to be made.

The other side of the mall issue for me is this: being consumers - being shallow, stuff-minded, appearance-oriented, instant-gratification people - will at some point wear off for each human. At some point they will realize this is a dead-end that does not make them happy. At some point, they will realize that they want and need help in understanding what it means to be human and how to live a fulfilling life. And therapists will be there to help.

I've got other reasons why therapy is a growth industry, but that's for another day.

Best, A Grateful Man.