Chapter 20: Relationship is the Key Ingredient in Therapy
In this marvelous chapter, Madeleine finally achieves Parrot’s Bay as her own property. She is exhilarated. I’m dying to know if you have personally achieved a personal goal. How did you feel in that moment of achievement?
At first thrilled, Madeleine soon learns that establishing Parrot’s Bay comes with the cost of having to live by herself. Have you ever had to live in solitude for more than a day or two? What do you think it would be like?I spent last Christmas at a monastery for two days by myself. (I have to confess I brought Sami, my terrier.) I did attend the liturgical services offered, but other than that did not have any contact with people. It was an eye-opening, soul-stretching experience. I recommend finding solitude a few times a year.After a few weeks Madeleine concludes that she has been created to be in relationships with people, not to live a life of solitude. Even the adventurer Robert, after having an assassination attempt on his life, concludes that he is better when he is with a partner. He even goes so far as to tell Madeleine “I am completed when I am with you.” Old maternal Annie and young nerdy Claude even form a relationship of sorts.What is your experience regarding being in relationships? Are you content when you are alone? Do you crave the company of others? What value does having a relationship have for you?
Author’s Tidbit
Have you ever wondered why therapy can be helpful and successful? The key ingredient of therapy is the interpersonal relationship between the counselor and the client. Believe it or not, research shows that change within the client occurs because of the unconditional regard and reflective wisdom of the therapist. The client may be helped by ideas on how to perceive her life, strategies on how to cope, relaxation techniques, and other interventions. But the ingredient that makes therapy work is the RELATIONSHIP between the person in need and the care-giver.
Up Next: Friday's blog post on Chapter 21!
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