"Dr. Remington, your office no doubt has many ways of describing the counseling process and outcome. Please share one with me."
ANSWER: We're talking about using a metaphor, a way of describing something but doing so in a different way from the actual way.
The counseling process and outcome is like coming out of the closet. It’s not what you think!
A closet represents a place with little or no real light, restricted vision, little movement possible, some sense of suffocation, and all aloneness.
We come out of the closet into light. Now we see more things, more clearly, and in a different light, a light that is now positive and hopeful. An appropriate Bible verse is Isaiah 9:02 (and Matthew 4:16). The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness - on them light has shined.
We sense a new freedom. We become released from the restrictions of feeling inferior, incompetent, hopeless, worthless. We develop the sense of becoming a whole person, of feeling good about oneself, both in the present and facing the future. We no longer are controlled by other people, things, or situations. Our relationship to other people is a healthy one.
This coming into the light and experiencing freedom often applies to our spiritual selves. The individuals often accept their new self-concept, I am the unique, precious, individual God created me to be. We Christians note Galatians 5:01: For freedom Christ has set us free. For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters, (verse 13).
The Coastal Samaritan Counseling Center invites you to allow us to help you as you come out of your closet. From confinement to freedom.
READER: Submit questions to Ask-A-Counselor, obtain information, or make an appointment by calling 843-448-4820, Fax: 448-9875, send to the Coastal Samaritan Counseling Center, 901 N. Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577, or log on to http://coastalsamaritan.blogspot.com.
