Perspective

The other day I was working with a young teenager now turned adult. She was telling this helper how it feels good to be 18 and in charge of her life. I asked her how things will change now that she indeed is 18. I almost fell out of the chair. Seriously, her discourse was flowing into sub life components with detailed goals and objectives. I thought she was reciting our treatment plan for a moment. Then I respectfully let her continue with these well thought out ideas. She was looking at me for feedback with eye contact, and patience. Calmly, ( I was very excited to respond) but I had to think carefully and absorb all this information she was presenting. I began my words, when suddenly she blurted out the word, perspective. I go perspective? Yes, she says. I'm 18, and I have a different mind set now. In the back of my brain, I am going, (I'm really good at what I do, or she is starting to form her own perspective) either way, this is positive stuff. This particular client, (ok to share) would say no more then two sentences at a time with me for the last two months. In her words she was being forced to see me or go back to treatment. Our conversation in this session was all about perspective, how you look at things from afar, and right this second. This helper is heavily engaged in the here/now component, and tried to help her navigate through some difficult behaviors over the last couple of months. She wanted to look into the future, and what goals she was going to try and accomplish instead of looking at where she was now. We talked more about how she could accomplish her long-term goals and began to frame the steps needed to make this work for her. I dropped her off, and headed to my next city where other client sessions were awaiting. The phone rang, and it was her father. I have talked to him twice, he is having a hard time with his daughters challenges at this time. He has chosen not to engage himself in our family sessions at this time. He begins with a voice that sounds positive, and recharged. I for the second time today, almost fell out of my chair. Again, there were non-stop words flowing, and I listened, and listened. Five minuets of a father sounding positive, and supportive, while he was sharing his perspective with me. I thanked him for his time and words. Stay in your health, stay in the moment.