Yesterday, a new client came into my office and started talking about the discontent in her life. I invited her to tell me her story and before long she was disclosing information that was deeply personal. "I've never told anyone about that before," she confessed. It was another reminder of how vulnerable people are willing to be simply because they trust the counseling process.

It's interesting to consider the conditions under which we allow instant intimate access to some people, especially those in the helping professions. This morning, I made another trip to my dentist to have a loose crown cemented. (It fell out last night during a session. Embarrassing, but that's another story...) The new dental assistant introduced herself to me during the chair's slow recline. Thirty seconds after learning her name, I opened wide while Christy poked and pulled on my teeth. I let this person, who was a stranger just moments ago, wiggle her fingers around in my mouth. Why? Because I trust the process. I had a problem and I believed she could help me, so I granted her access that others don't have.

Counseling is like that, and more. People open up more than their mouths; they often bare their souls to us and invite us into their private pain, shame, fear, and frustrations. It is an awesome privilege that demands responsibility. We accept that. And we, the counselors at Charis, are sincerely grateful to those who trust us enough to let us join them in those private places.

The Visit
you let me in and lead me through
the rooms that others see
so well prepared, each item there
placed right where it should be

then down a hall and to the left
you press against that thing
that moans against its slow retreat
into the darkening

you shudder as it pulls you down
this old familiar gloom
but rest right there, i'll start a fire
and we'll be warmer soon

Tim Tedder