A Woman without a voice

Sherry (not her real name) was brought to my office by her husband who had grown concerned that she wasn't herself lately. She didn't take care of the kids, she cried all the time and she wouldn't look at anyone. She didn't protest much just sat there wringing her hands and stuttering over her words especially when she was upset. It didn't take much to tell she was in a world of silent pain. He was a nice enough guy and it was very apparent that he had become increasingly concerned about her well being. He thought she might try to kill herself and he desperately wanted reassurance that she would be ok. I wasn't convinced that he was wrong.

As I observed her I got a vision of a wilted flower that was dying for lack of love and encouragement she was just fading away. Probably never been fully appreciated by anybody. I determined there and then no matter what her course of treatment called for she would be encouraged and helped in developing her long silenced voice. She was my first exposure to consciously dealing with a whole precious person as opposed to a client with a set of symptoms to be dealt with. To be sure she had serious symptoms and required many therapeutic interventions along the way but never was I allowed to forget that she was first and formost a beautiful diamond in the rough who needed respect, nurturing and trust if she were ever to shine. I learned so much from her. She became more than I ever thought she could be as we slowly freed her from her past and let the real woman underneath push through. I was humbled.

Since then I have seen many such wounded souls and have grown to love working with those who never knew it was ok to be themselves. To be happy. To dare to fly. To finally stop bleeding and get on with the business of life. This blog is a forum in which I will bring to you those issues most pressing in my therapy practice to hopefully inform enlighten and encourage those who suffer inwardly and relationally as a result. I am a practicing Marriage and Family Therapist in San Diego if you would like to know more about what I do please visit me on my website at CathyRoysTherapy.com or email me at Cathy@CathyRoysTherapy.com or phone me for a free consultation at 619 518-1323

I wish you the warmest of greetings and many blessings,

Cathy Roys MFT