In addition to being a licensed psychologist, I am also a rower. If you are unfamiliar with rowing, its primary objective is to get into a 27-foot long boat (or longer) that’s about 14-15 inches wide, and using two oars to move from one point to the next along a river or other body of water. It’s a sport that takes a lot of practice to even be able to get into the boat and then a lot more row it well. I have rowed for a long time; in my life and in my practice, I relate a lot to it. It’s something that makes sense to me and it's something that I believe that I can use to help others. I’ve taught a lot of lessons on it, and I feel like I have a pretty good handle on how to get someone focused, motivated and moving. That’s not to say that rowing is easy, or life for that matter.
Rowing can be a particularly tough sport. This is especially true if you have a fear of being out on a body of water by yourself, not always seeing where you are going or worry about what is beneath the water. Then, you have to deal with wind, waves and other people. This can be incredibly challenging! Sometimes even daunting. I remember one brutal practice that we had while I was training in Chicago. Our coach wanted us to go out, as we were preparing for an upcoming race. The temperature was probably hovering around 37°, I remember that I could see my breath throughout the practice. But on top of that, there were probably 20 miles to 25 mph winds. I remember that before we got into the boat and shoved off, we were all standing around, huddled together trying to find some amount of warmth. We weren’t sure what the workout was going to be, but we anticipated that it was going to be tough. In the end, it was. It was probably one of the hardest we had that year. But we made it through...it wasn’t enjoyable, and we didn’t look back on it and say, “wow that was fun.” But we made it.
I see therapy and rowing as a lot alike. You may not know what I’m going to say in a session, or what you will get from it. But, if you stick it through, and persevere, those things you really want to get out of therapy can happen. During our practice, we made it through...and so can you. Now in therapy, I won’t treat you as a novice, or someone who is just now stepping foot into a boat. I’m not going to make you wear a life preserver. In fact, you’re more experienced in your life than I am, and that makes you an expert in your life. I’m going to approach you as such. You’ve made it this far. Your path ahead, whether a road toward recovery, or a more fulfilled you, may not always be enjoyable, but it is yours. I look forward to rowing alongside you in therapy.
