On the last day of work, I had two very interesting clients. The first story is great. I had this couple come in in January and they were on the verge of divorce. Every session with them was a battle. They were constanty at each other's throats and I was sure they were not going to make it. After several sessions and several months they seemed unable to make it through their "impasse". Well, as a counselor, you have two options in this situation: you can continue to try to motivate them and take their money or you can let them know exactly where they are and what they need to do and let them decide what they want to do. I don't know what I said to them, but it was something along the lines of "I have done all I can do for you and you have to make the decision as to what you want for your relationship". Well, I hadn't heard from them in several months, and on the last day, they showed up in my office. I was shocked and surprised to hear that they had decided to stay together and they had made some significant changes in their relationship. They told me that I told them that they needed some divine intervention because they were beyond the point of communication skills and couple skills. They applied that suggestion and started going to church as a family, started having family home evening, started praying together, applied the couple skills we talked about, and their home was now running 10 times smoother than they previous months. I was so happy to hear that. They kept thanking me for saving their marriage, but I really don't think I had anything to do with it. They were the ones who made the decision to change their relationship and they finally made the personal shanges required to make a difference. Everyone has the ability to make choices....not everyone takes the opportunity.
So here is #2.... one of my male 12 year old clients listed off a series of illnesses he has experienced in the last 10 years. Here is part of the list: ADHD, West Nile Virus, Bipolar Disorder, Sore Mouth infection, and probably ten others that I missed because I was still stuck on the West Nile virus. It was weird. There are very few situations where I am weirded out, but htis was definately one of them. I think the kid I was counseling contributed to my lack of professionalism. Is it possible to catch the West Nile Virus in the states? Maybe I am just ignorant. I didn't know there was a such thing as Sore Mouth Infection either...apparently both of these viruses are highly contagious. I was a little worried.
What an interesting last day.