A young man met with his therapist for the first time and told him: ”I am depressed.”
To his surprise the therapist asked him if he considered his depression an enemy or a friend. “Of course it is an enemy. I hate it. I do everything to get away from it. Nothing works. That is why I am here, to get rid of it.”
The therapist understood his response, with much compassion. Then the therapist asked in a tone of curiosity: “What would it be like to treat your depression as a friend rather than as an enemy?”
The young man was now so confused. This question did not make any sense to him.
The two men talked for a while about the young man’s awareness that fed his depression. At session end the therapist said to the young man that he now understood how his depression was caused by years of quiet anger.
Leaving the session the young man shook his head saying to himself: ”Yea, it is so quiet I do not even see it.”
Getting into his car and turning on the radio he heard his favorite Simon and Garfunkel song, Sound of Silence, and he was singing along with them the words: “Hello Darkness, my old friend, I have come to talk with you again.” At that moment a heartfelt understanding took place about what the therapist was inviting him to do, that is, to talk with his depression as a friend. It wanted to speak and be heard. However, it had been repressed and buried for many years. A tear came down his cheek as he connected with that buried pain. He had begun to talk, to listen, to heal, forgive and move forward.
May you all find within yourselves the grace to slow down, be gentle, and listen kindly to your own experience. You deserve compassion, just as all living beings do. Being alive can be a tall order. Let us all take comfort in the truth that we are walking this path together.
Especially during these challenging times, it is important for us all to be gentle with ourselves and with eachother. If you or a loved one needs support please reach out to a therapist today. Our counselors are trained to provide teletherapy so that you can receive support from the safety and comfort of your own home.