As I continue to look at the world around me and around you, we certainly seem to find less and less to be hopeful for.  My professional journey has included treating patients with the most severe and profound mental illnesses and for them, I could sometimes see the hope in their eyes that somehow they wondered if I was going to be able to help them find relief or at least provide a respite from the suffering they had endured sometimes for many years.  My thinking was I could do nothing any different than every other clinician had offered to date; that I could not even offer medication, but only talk.  And so we talked. 

In these sometimes most difficult cases, I began to see that there was something I could provide that must have been lacking in their treatment heretofore.  To discuss the intricacies of their complaints, the bizarreness of their thoughts, the height of their delusions and fears, the depth of their depression or the heights of their manic episodes, it was very familiar territory for them and something that they spoke of each time a new clinician was assigned to their case.  I wanted to isolate and identify for myself what was the difference in the way I approached and treated the patient that caused patients themselves to think of me as a “good therapist” as compared to the others in the same role, some for whom they had little regard.   

I found two differences in my manner, small in concept, but enormous in impact.  These differences have seemed to come second nature to me as I have always leaned in this direction.  The reason I say I have always been this way is that as I thought back to my childhood, I realized I have always had extreme compassion for what the majority have considered “underdogs” or “losers”.  My friends were mostly always the friends no one else chose.  I wanted to be their friend since they had very few friends if at all.

 The two qualities that have set me apart are caring and the ability to instill hope.  My mission is to make a difference in people who have lost hope, for whatever reason, in ever getting the help they need.  Many times, these are people who have suffered severe losses and/or trauma to the extent that they do not believe anyone can ever help them.  They have tried this therapy or that medication to no avail and some are even ready to give up.  Certainly, the pain can be that great as I have lost personal friends to suicide who thought there was no other answer to their suffering.  Believe me, however, when I tell you there is another answer besides suicide: there is help with hope...