Dream
By Jennifer Eulberg, MA, LPC
Any seeds of a plan I had to write about this month’s word, “Dream” never fully reached a concrete idea. Honestly, I wasn’t sure I could come up with something appropriate at all. Like most people right now, my mind has been occupied, working to process all the information on COVID-19, generally, and secondarily, how it has been shaping our day to day lives and experiences.
In discussions and processing with friends, family, co-workers, and also clients, I realized I have much the same feeling as I did during and following 9-11. It feels like an eerie dream, where many things are just like “normal” and yet so many things are not. Opinions may differ, but each of us is being affected in some way, whether directly or indirectly. Even if you may are not personally stockpiling, your run to the store for everyday items might leave you wanting. If you are more concerned about the spread, your interactions with those who are not might leave you angry or frustrated.
There are valid concerns on multiple levels even if for different reasons, and we are all unsure of what is next and what makes sense to focus on right now. We counselors are aware of our role (we are not medical doctors, lawyers, or disease experts) while we also acknowledge the trustworthiness we develop in our therapeutic relationships. Though we may not be able to provide answers, we are available to help our clients navigate through the changing landscape. Remember, emotional health and well-being are significant pieces to overall health.
