Back to Change

First, a note of apology: Although I had intended to blog weekly when I began this last September, life circumstances became hectic the past couple of months and I decided to pause blogging. One reason has been shepherding my book, Unwrapping, through the small publisher process. It’s been an education, and it’s still going on (and I’ll probably blog on that at some point) but I’m hopeful the book will be available soon, maybe by June. Of course I said “soon” last November, so I have to put my new favorite word to use here: tentatively.

When I blogged about the process of change back in mid-January, I intended for that topic to become an occasional series looking at change in peoples’ lives. I envisioned allowing people I know to share their stories of change, and one of them did in the first of such guest-featured blog posts.

I didn’t intend to write again about change myself, but, well, wouldn’t you know.

What happened was this: Decisions by the counseling organization I’ve spent nearly five years with led me to consider the question, “Is this what I want?” I began the process of poking around to consider a new job in the same field—clinical mental health counselor.

I’m not sure whether this is a good thing, but I work in one of those professions where there is no shortage of need. Anxiety, trauma, depression, grief, addiction. These conditions have all significantly increased since the pandemic, much less during a world in crisis on any number of levels. And a presidential election year to boot that has ramped up anger exponentially.

The bottom line is I had several opportunities, and one stood out. I accepted an offer to join Banyan Tree Counseling & Wellness starting next week. Banyan Tree is a philosophical match, offering an inclusive, holistic approach to therapy for children and adults, and using many different methods, including creative and trauma-informed, two styles close to my heart. The banyan tree, not surprisingly, is the organization’s symbol, and its logo appears as the image with this post.

Unlike other occasions in my working life—when I had no choice but to find a new job—this time I was the author of the move. And that felt good.

But to those who face what I’ve confronted in the past, the prospect of being laid off or having a hateful boss, I will say this: Change, if you can grieve over what you are losing and work hard not to be consumed by it, can be surprisingly healthy for you.

I encourage folks struggling with change in their lives, whether personal or professional, to seek out a licensed therapist. A neutral, empathetic voice can do wonders to open lines of thinking that your own brain becomes too overwhelmed to process during periods of change.

Whether a relationship or a job, if you feel a constant internal sense of dread, maybe it’s time to ask yourself, “Is this what I want?” and become your own change agent.