I wonder how many of us who offer counselling and hypnotherapy feel that sometimes our skills sets are undervalued by others? We may feel that members of the public tend to regard us as sometimes doing little more than providing a listening ear, empathy, support, acting as a neutral professional arbiter. As such we may find ourselves in competition with other people; neighbours, family, friends, the local hairdresser and maybe even complete strangers.
Whilst there has to be some caution exercised in revealing too much of ourselves to a complete stranger or indeed in following someone else's advice there are times when a sympathetic ear, someone to let off steam to, to share our story with are all that's needed. The truth is, sometimes those random interactions with strangers provide important therapeutic benefit.
Strangers, especially strangers with whom we share a little time can serve an important role. They can bring an important new perspective into our lives. Sitting together for a few hours on a long train or aeroplane journey can result in personal stories and even confidences being shared with someone we don't anticipate ever meeting again. That can provide a tantalising opportunity for an interesting exchange of thoughts and feelings.
Anonymity can be very appealing when we are deciding whether or not to reveal personal information about our circumstances and problems and in return receive neutral feedback and perspective. A stranger has no vested interest in our lives, nothing to gain from the outcome of our decisions. What they say is often honest, unbiased and from a viewpoint which may be very different to our own.
Whilst it is important for us to weigh up what we hear carefully and determine if it suits our lives, it can nonetheless provide thought-provoking impact. It is often fascinating to get a new perspective on our situation, to hear someone else's views and opinions, learn about their situations and dilemmas, gain insight into another, rather different way of life.
Strangers provide a window into another world, often quite dissimilar to our own, a random, unplanned insight into the diverse experiences, challenges and realities experienced by other people. They can introduce completely unconsidered and unexpected thoughts, reactions, values, tastes, ways of thinking into our own mindset.
Talking to someone new, a stranger, is also a good lesson in making conversation. Being able to start and then participate in a conversation with someone you don't know can be a useful experience in improving courage, self-confidence and social skills. With a stranger there can be a more laissez-faire attitude; if it doesn't go too well you can shrug your shoulders and relax, safe in the knowledge that you're unlikely to ever see them again.
If it goes well then you've learned how straightforward and valuable a process it can be to share, listen and exchange thoughts, views and opinions with another person, someone who not so long ago was unknown to you, a stranger. Celebrate the opportunities that come your way to share time and make connections with strangers. They can add a lot to your life.
But don't forget to consider that long-term solutions and resolutions of problems, unwanted patterns of behaviour, habits, learning to deal better with stress often requires professional input from a counsellor or hypnotherapist. Short-term benefits can support you for a while, keep you going, give temporary relief. Long-term relief and resolution often benefits from the professional therapeutic knowledge, techniques and attention of a counsellor or hypnotherapist.
