“. . . Robert Wicks has skillfully drawn out practical learning from the wisdom traditions of the world that illuminates the precious nature of this healing space.”
David Brazier
Author, Zen Therapy
To feed the interior life of the counselor is not only a sensible act for the helper, it is a true act of generosity for those they serve as well. This book directs counselors to consider their own sense of self and how they are-and are not-living a personally and professionally meaningful, mindful life. Each chapter presents a theme in a way that mental health professionals will find helpful and immediately applicable to understanding their own journey as they seek to reach out to help others in need.
Reflections from Dr. Wicks on The Inner Life of the Counselor (Wiley)
One of the greatest gifts counselors, psychotherapists, social workers, caregivers, and mentors can share with others is a sense of their own peace. However, retaining and renewing their own sense of a healthy perspective so they can do this not only requires self-care strategies, but also an awareness of basic psycho-spiritual wisdom themes. In this book, I wanted have each chapter take one of those themes and offer it in a way that both professional and non-professional helpers will find informative and immediately applicable to understanding their own journey as they seek to reach out to help others in need.
My goal was to address the essential concepts of “inner space,” “alonetime,” “experiencing a new type of counselor self-nurturance,” “the art of leaning back” as well as a concise review of the basics of “mindfulness.” My hope in developing the material is that it would prove to be lively, practical, and marked by a sense of simplicity. I also wanted to demonstrate how alonetime can be a university when counselors take the time and most helpful approaches in exploring their own inner life in ways that can lead to new wisdom—not only for themselves but for those who come to them for relief and insight.