COUNSELLING AND THE SEARCH FOR MEANING
'Words, words, words, I'm so sick of words. I hear words all day through, first from him, now from you. Is that all you blighters can do. Show me. Show me.' Sung by Eliza Doolittle in 'My fair lady'. Learner and Lowe.
'Counselling is a tricky business' - I think. But this is an unclear communication: I do not mean it is a box of magic tricks dependant on a sleight of hand to create illusions. Rather intricate, complex and sophisticated, full of significance and meaning. I shy away from the word 'business' too, but I need to remember that it does incorporate contracts, fees and formality. It is a relationship between two adults, one of which is working on their problems, the other assisting the process. What is vital, is the need for clear, accurate communication. The aphorism, 'the message received is the message given' arose from some very unclear communication. I need to be careful in my use of language. This is blocking my writing, so I have chosen a strategy in which I attempt to analyse what I think, feel and do.