My personal philosophy of counseling has evolved from a variety of educational, professional and personal experiences. I have worked in the helping professions for many years. In this article I’ll review some of the ideas and experiences which have meant the most to me.

In the early part of my professional development, I focused on one-to-one counseling relationships. I learned communication skills and techniques to facilitate client growth and healing. During these years I was also involved with a woman in a long-term committed relationship. In this relationship I learned a great deal about my own defense mechanisms and underlying fears. This personal education was rather slow and painful for me and ultimately the relationship with my partner ended. But I came out of if with a greater ability to express myself, empathize and be genuine and honest with others. And, of course, this heightened self-knowledge made me a better counselor and co-worker.

During the 80s I became interested in a bigger picture beyond the counseling and relationship dyad. Like many in the counseling field during this time, I learned about systems theory. Among other things, systems theory is concerned with how larger systems such as families, social groups, and institutions impact and influence the individual. Systems theory focuses on how power, values rules and roles are developed and maintained in these settings.

As a staff person at Phoenix House, I am,
of course, an agent of a system that tries
to impact its clients in positive ways. Phoenix House’s system of service is based on principles of psychosocial rehabilitation. I educated myself about this philosophy and found these ideas appealing, useful and effective. My education in systems theory and my direct experiences with the psychosocial rehab model have helped me significantly in my work.

In recent years, I have been developing a spiritual dimension to my service philosophy. I am drawn to the ideas of existentialism, transpersonal and depth psychology, humanism, Tibetan Buddhism, environmentalism, cosmology, mythology and transcendentalism. Generally I don’t talk directly to our clients about these philosophies and ideas. This spiritual dimension has more to do with my own intention of developing a kinder heart. As I develop a deeper understanding and empathy for suffering and the human condition, my perspectives on my work change and I relate to clients in a gentler way.

Below are listed some ideas that seem
especially relevant to my work with our
clients. I have also included relevant quotes that further illuminate these thoughts.

• Psychologically we are more alike than different. "…universal responsibility…is the realization that even our enemy is entirely motivated by the quest for happiness. We must recognize that all beings want the same thing that we want." The 14th Dalai Lama

"My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness." The 14th Dalai Lama

•Set personal limits. Create time for rest and play. "To allow oneself to be carried away by a multitude of conflicting concerns, to surrender to too many demands, to commit oneself to too many projects, to want to help everyone in everything is to succumb to violence. The frenzy of the activist neutralizes the work for peace. It destroys the fruitfulness of work, because it kills the root of inner wisdom which makes work fruitful." Thomas Merton.
Peace and happiness to you all.