Thanks for reading. Before I became a counselor I worked in software, did social work, was an English teacher, and spent two years making a documentary about being an independent musician and building a recording studio in the desert. To me, having been through highs and lows, and having done things conventional and unconventional help you connect with others.
My approach is systems-based and solution-focused. I think it's important to consider your supports (or lack of) and what has shaped your opinion of yourself. Often when someone is laid off, as painful as it is at first, eventually they end up feeling it was one of the best things to happen to them. Not always, but more often than not. I think there's always something to try to make the darkness tolerable and feel more yourself again
To me, it's important for the client to know they're not alone, and that although you can never go back to your old self, that going forward - strange as it might feel - is better than being stuck. I hope clients I work with know to connect with other people, feel okay being alone, and feel confident that if they had to start over things would be alright.
