Psychological/Emotional Growth follows different paths for each of us.  Many therapists encourage clients/patients along that path with care, understanding and an open/non-judgmental mind. Through the process, clients/patients often learn to use care, self-understanding and a broadened mind to view themselves, as well as, others. And, that is the essence of the growth, marvelous, hard earned growth and development. This carefully and considered development follows the collaboration by psychologists, sometimes other healthcare providers,  and the client in their endeavors.  A client who chooses to engage in this psychological/emotional growth is to say the least, a brave soul because most are too afraid of their “skeletons” to venture forth. So, congratulations for finding the courage to learn and grow.

There was a sage Chinese in the 6^th century who said, “choosing is the sickness of the mind”.  Wow! I just gave you kudos for “choosing” to be brave enough to seek therapy, and now I said, “choosing is the sickness…” We psychologists practice by teaching clients they do have a choice in what’s happening with their thoughts and emotions, and by extension their behavior. Consequently, we don’t quite believe the sage, do we? How can we reconcile the two? I think the dilemma is the fact that if one has not grown and broadened, his/her/their possibilities are limited. When we have only one possibility, endeavoring to change that one possibility seems a gargantuan task, and not changing feels hopeless. It is through growth that we become comfortable in recognizing the plethora of choices we have. Thus, our work, and our world, have become richer and filled with possibility, which is an extension of having several or many many choices.