These ideas are applicable to most, if not all, professions.
There is an art to conducting therapy. It is a craft that requires awareness, intelligence, passion and discipline. The passion is fueled by the joy experienced when the therapist makes a unique interpretation transforming the perception of the client. An interpretation that shines a bright light on something previously concealed by the dark. An interpretation powerful enough to evoke emotion so strong it becomes the catalyst for behavioral change. Strong enough to begin the process of stopping bad habits of the mind and behavior while inspiring the arduous journey of forming new habits that are going to lead to the client to be more at peace with her/himself. That is the fun and energizing part of the art, but there is still the difficult discipline necessary to reach the heights of being a good therapist. The foundation for the discipline of therapy is created in grad school. The discipline is built through hours in the classroom, in the library, in internships, writing a dissertation, and forcing the mind to understand. But that is not enough. A good therapist cannot become stagnant after grad school. A good therapist must constantly challenge his/her own mind, recognize and improve weaknesses, and experience the stress of being a psychologist, all the while not giving up or taking short cuts. The discipline and passion come together when inspiration is found in the traditional: books, articles, workshops... But inspiration can also be hidden in plain sight, in nontraditional sources: music, nature, exercise, other professionals outside of psychology…
Now apply these same principles to your profession or passion.
There is an art to conducting therapy. It is a craft that requires awareness, intelligence, passion and discipline. The passion is fueled by the joy experienced when the therapist makes a unique interpretation transforming the perception of the client. An interpretation that shines a bright light on something previously concealed by the dark. An interpretation powerful enough to evoke emotion so strong it becomes the catalyst for behavioral change. Strong enough to begin the process of stopping bad habits of the mind and behavior while inspiring the arduous journey of forming new habits that are going to lead to the client to be more at peace with her/himself. That is the fun and energizing part of the art, but there is still the difficult discipline necessary to reach the heights of being a good therapist. The foundation for the discipline of therapy is created in grad school. The discipline is built through hours in the classroom, in the library, in internships, writing a dissertation, and forcing the mind to understand. But that is not enough. A good therapist cannot become stagnant after grad school. A good therapist must constantly challenge his/her own mind, recognize and improve weaknesses, and experience the stress of being a psychologist, all the while not giving up or taking short cuts. The discipline and passion come together when inspiration is found in the traditional: books, articles, workshops... But inspiration can also be hidden in plain sight, in nontraditional sources: music, nature, exercise, other professionals outside of psychology…
Now apply these same principles to your profession or passion.
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