The Journey back from broken
She was petite, beautiful and articulate. She had beautiful long black hair – the kind that immediately catches your attention. As I sat to begin the assessment, I could tell that she also had a good grasp of her situation. She was not someone who dranks two bottles of wine every night because she wanted to. My heart went out to her, and I wanted to find a way to communicate or express my care. But as the assessment progressed I noticed that my words took on an urgency that wasn’t there before. I felt my chest tightening, and I sat forward in my chair. I wanted desperately to reach her. My pressing tone hinted at my desperation. I was losing the battle.
I had always prided myself on providing a calm and welcoming space where clients mostly relax into and share willingly. However, this particular client was making efforts to resist my acceptance. She didn’t know and felt she could not learn how to let go. She had begun to believe that she needed to use the alcohol to hide the pain. She could not hear the compliments I gave, but rather turned sarcastic and started intellectualising to hide her fear of acceptance and love.
She never returned after the assessment. Though that was many years ago, I always hoped that I had given enough to help her with one more piece of the puzzle and hopefully when the puzzle is complete she will be able to see what I saw in her.
I have met many like her since they may not be using alcohol, but pride hides their shame and makes them unwilling to escape the self-imposed darkness of dismay. You do not have to live in this place. There is the help to assist you in reviving hope. Sign up to our Free Guide Healing from abuse self-help guide and get the support that will help you to move out of darkness.