Laurel Nesbit is a registered intern in Mental Health Counseling who works with people in crisis. She talks about how her own therapy helped her learn to feel and be aware of herself as a person, and how she uses this awareness with her clients. We also discuss boundaries in counseling relationships. She was kind enough to sit down with me twice to record a podcast episode (the first was a technical failure on my part). I enjoyed our conversation so much that I hope she comes back on the show soon.
Show Notes
Follow the links below for more about what we referenced during our talk.
- Laurel mentions that the enneagram has been a helpful tool in her development. Three of her favorite books on the enneagram are The Spiritual Dimension of the Enneagram, The Enneagram of Passions and Virtues, and From Fixation to Freedom: The Enneagram of Liberation.
- I mention Pema Chodron’s concept of “the soft spot.” Pema has written many things worth reading. You can find her article about staying with the soft spot here.
- Laurel discusses a book she’s been reading The Making of a Therapist, by Louis Cozolino. In Chapter 9, the author uses the term “shuttling” to describe a counselor’s process in session.
- I mention peer support.
Hi,
I’m reminded of something my own therapist did while listening to this and was just wondering how often therapists actually do admit to their clients when they’ve screwed up, particularly when it’s an issue of race. For me race is important in treatment.
Hi, thanks for your comment. I think that’s a really great question, and obviously a very valid point. Since recording this episode I’ve been on quite a journey. I also wonder just generally how much therapists give ourselves permission to acknowledge when we feel we’ve screwed up or made a mistake. I’ve come to believe if I’m risking myself as a therapist I am bound to fail sometimes, it’s just inevitable. As a white person race seems like a very obvious place for me to mess up, not get it, step on something that rightfully hurts. I’ve definitely been looking at these places more since this conversation with Kathleen and trying to be more open with myself and others around these questions and challenges. Also more humble about my own inevitable limitations. Hard but important stuff.