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Thank you for taking the trouble to look up Gestakt Therapy- I'm sad you found it gimmicky as it emerged from a great psychodynamic therapy tradition in the 1950s and has very powerfully impacted all therapies since. I agree I'd run a mile if anyone pounced on me ..... but I'm making myself available as an experiment. It's true that every individual can explore discover and find something through pilgrimage, but a few may need a compassionate and empathic supportive 'other' along the way. I see it like this- some walk without ever needing any help whilst others need blister pads poles rest days a helpful hand or ear or offer of help..... there are medical stations along the way but what about professional psychological support? How many pilgrims leave the trail, suffer alone, don't find what they need? I don't know the answers but I'm interested in the questions....so this is an experiment I'm engaged in. I don't 'counsel' without invitation, I'm very boundaried, I adhere to strong ethical and professional standards, I'm clear about my role as a pilgrim for myself and my role as a walking Counsellor. I'm curious about all of this. Thank you for bringing the debate aliveI saw your other thread regarding this and would agree with the feedback given. Don't mention what you do!
Here are some honest thoughts, which can only of course, be from my own point of view. The views of others members would be good to hear.....and may well be the opposite..
The Camino is therapy in itself for many. There seems to be a 'process' that has worked down through the ages, and this does not usually involve external 'interventions'...
I had to look up Gestalt Counselling as it sounded very 'gimmicky'.... Just first impressions.... Not based on any knowledge of the topic.
I have close friends who are therapists of various types and I have come over time to understand what they do, have seen them in action, and have a great respect for their work. But it certainly doesn't suit everyone and is seen my many as perhaps a bit of a fad, or 'new age'. Sadly. I suppose what I'm saying, is that working with a counsellor of whatever type requires time and a high degree of trust. I'm not sure being 'pounced on' during a Camino would quite fit that approach
If you approached me..........I would run a mile!
Even if it came up in casual conversation, I would probably avoid you from then on. The last thing I would want on my Camino is to feel that I'm being analysed, assessed or judged in some way.
I met a wonderful Catholic Priest on my first Camino. Everyone got to meet and know him. How did I know he was a Priest? Because he wore his 'uniform'! A white cassock. He was a great guy, loved by all who met him. It was perfectly appropriate for him to openly declare who and what he was. After all, he was walking what is for many, a Catholic pilgrimage.
He put himself out there, and it was appreciated. He gave blessings, celebrated mass when he could, and basically went about his day to day work almost, whilst walking.
So how do you and Father X differ?
He kind of 'fitted' the Camino. He added to the experience for many. He was a walking signpost! This is who I am and what I do. And left it to the other Pilgrims to treat him as they wished.
You would be kind of travelling incognito wouldn't you?
And for many people who undertake the walk to work through issues or resolve matters in their lives, I'm not sure slipping into the conversation that you are a Counsellor would help matters. I'm sure a few would take you up on the offer of a 'session' but I suspect most would end up avoiding you.... to work on things without 'intervention'....
Certainly in my own case, the best Therapists I met whilst walking, were other Pilgrims. Particularly after walking about 2 weeks, when everyone had settled into the routine. Some of those long conversations whilst walking were pure Gold. And coming from someone who had no agenda what so ever, did not see me as a 'patient' and was totally not judging me in any way. They had no reason to.
This is one of the amazing elements of the Camino I think.
Sorry to ramble. Enjoy your Camino, and maybe tell the other Pilgrims you are a School Teacher
It's a mystery
Well possibly it was too close to the boundary between 'resource' offers which I have been told belong here in this Forum, and general questions threads which have no commercial aspects (or work trade). I'm new here so perhaps the other thread could be added to this one....? I found the discussion very interesting, and it brought forward quite a range of issues well worth exploring.Looks like it was deleted
Hi Bonita, yes like s Yates, I wondered where your other thread went whereby a lot of folk, myself included advised you not to tell pilgrims what your job is. Funny enough I have been thinking of you today on a long walk in the mountains and what your plans are. Using this journey as an experiment fills me with horror I'm afraid and it may not work out well for yourself either.counsiller is not just a one off chat but an ongoing process as you will know
By the way, I am a great believer in " mindless walking" Not sure if this is a proper term. Just something I say myself. Just walking for walkings sake can heal a lot of things pertaining to the mind.
Yes I'm able to spend as long as it takes me to get to Santiago (8 weeks is my current plan), and as all Counselling involves 'contracting' about what the other person needs or wants and agreeing together what is even possible in the time available. I've mainly been involved over the last two years with Brief Counselling so 4-6 x50 minute sessions. But sometimes a client just wants one or two 90 minute sessions.... all clients are different. Some start with face to face and move to Skype, or the other way around as these days online is a growing arena for the talking therapies. I don't know maybe you're all correct and this idea I have is way off track....but it doesn't feel that way to me and I'll certainly examine that some more. I've spent 35 years working with very vulnerable people so I've some idea of my responsibilities and I also train others in matters of safeguarding. Risk assessment and mitigation is a part of training to be a Counsellor, and I believe that I'm sufficiently aware to be able to identify when I shouldn't engage in a therapeutic contract with someone because of their vulnerability or my safety. This of course is based on my own experience. These ethical dilemmas apply in my regular life as well as on the Camino. Thank you all for caring enough to write to share your thoughts with me. I'm taking all of these comments seriously.
Wow what an interesting idea I like this a lot as it would also involve gradually withdrawing as the client found their feet.
