‘n Stukkie van my hart.

My huis ruk op die oomblik na koffie en kaneel. Wanneer ek die kaneel ruik is daar ‘n plekkie in my hart wat onthou hoe heerlik my ouma Bessie se souskluitjies was. Sy was die enigste mens wat vir my as kleuter nagereg voor die regte kos gegee het.

Geure help ons om unieke dinge te onthou. Goeie en seer herinnering word op verskillende manier in verskillende plekke gestoor.

As helpers bêre ons stukkies van elke kliënt met wie ons werk in ons harte. Na meer as 30 jaar se berading is daar baie kosbare stukkies in my hart bewaar. Dit is daardie stukkies wat in my hart gespaar is wat my herinner om vir my kliënte te bid en om saam met hulle dankbaar te wees. Ek is so dankbaar wanneer jy moed skep en opstaan.

Ek kan al daardie stukkies in my hart bewaar, want elke iedere kliënt het op hulle beurt met ‘n stukkie van my hart weggestap. Die stukkies van ons harte wat ons so deel met mekaar help ons om te onthou om vir mekaar te bid. Die hartsgoed is ‘n ons-saak, want niemand is gemaak om alleen voort te sukkel nie.

Ons kan gewoonlik niks anders met mekaar se hartstukkies doen as om vir mekaar te bid en al die laste en sorge aan ons Hemelse Vader oor te gee nie.

Liewe Nadia, party keer is die laste wat met ons gedeel word so swaar dat ons dit nie kan oordra na God toe nie. Dit is om die tyd om dit oor te rol na Hom toe. Wanneer ek my kliënt se hartseer oorrol na die Here toe bid ek ook dat Hy vir daardie mens presies sal gee wat hulle nodig het.

Ek het geen voorskrif aan God van wat Hy moet doen of wat jy nodig het nie, want ek weet dat Hy allerwys is om vir jou in elke opsig te sorg.

God se genade vat ons verder as wat ooit kan droom.

Ek hoop jy het tyd vir ‘n koppie koffie saam met daardie vriend/in wat jou help lag. Lag soveel dat jou bekommernisse terug in perspektief val.

Geniet die dag.

Dr Barbara

Verskillende skakels.

Jy kan hier na al die Afrikaanse insetsels se potgooie luister.

Vir afspraak met Dr Barbara Louw

Inligting oor Christen Pastorale Beradingsopleiding deur Dr Barbara Louw by Kailo Training Institute.

The many faces of trauma

The popular opinion allows people to see ‘trauma’ as being synonymous with distress or discomfort. The other day I stood in a queue to pay for a pair of shoes when I overheard a lady telling her friend that she was so “traumatized” because another shopper “snatched a bargain from under her nose”.

The haphazard way people are using terms like ‘trauma’ and ‘stress’ gives the impression that they know what they are talking about. Our own biases allow us to assume that we know what they are talking about and we have the answers.

The problem is that as listeners we stop listening with the intent to hear and understand. We stop paying attention to what they are trying to share and why they need to tell that part of their story.

Read more: The many faces of trauma

How to get the most out of a counselling session?

You’ve taken the step to schedule your first appointment with Dr Barbara Louw. You may be nervous or worried you might not know what to do when you get to her office or connect online.

You have all these thoughts running through your head like, “Will she judge me? Will she believe me? Can she understand my dilemmas?  Will it help?” You consider postponing the appointment, but you’re in a crisis or trying to prevent more trauma.

Read more: Get the most out of a counselling session

Returning to counselling after a break

Like any journey, your therapeutic journey may have starts and stops, highs and lows, departures and returns. Sometimes unexpected changes in life force you to pause the counselling and coaching for wellness. Perhaps you wanted a break to focus on another part of your life.

Once you are ready to return to counselling, you might wonder how you should go about it. What should you say to your counsellor? “I’m back” doesn’t feel like enough. The principles and care that brought you to Dr Barbara Louw in the first place are still effective.

Ultimately, your counsellor is not going to judge or reprimand you for taking a break.

Read more: Returning to counselling after a break

Counselling versus talking to you friend

Talking to a friend may be free of charge, but working with a counsellor will give you the cognitive and therapeutic skills to live a happier life.

When we don’t completely understand what professional counselling is, it’s easy to assume it can’t be more beneficial than talking to a friend. Like a relationship with a friend, seeing a counsellor involves conversing with someone, being vulnerable and maybe receiving advice. If counselling was only about paying someone to let you vent or chat with them, it actually would be a waste of money.

The ‘talking’ aspects of counselling are only a very small part of the therapeutic journey.

Read more: Counselling versus talking to you friend

A meaningful gift.

A friend of yours may go through hard times and experience trauma that touches your heart.  This is the time that you realise that we all need a little extra help.

You can show that you care by sponsoring a counselling session. This gesture is a gift that will be remembered for years to come.

A gift counselling session is a gift of hope and growth for someone who needs a nudge in the right direction, special support and counselling to find lasting solutions. Sessions can be facilitated online or in-person in Pretoria.

When you click on the ‘Enquire’-link you will be directed to an email address. You will receive the relevant information to ensure that you can make an informed decision and the confidentiality of all parties are honoured.

We like this gift because it is a gentle, meaningful reminder that someone cares and that counselling is available in trying times. This is a kind way of addressing the needs of a friend and a loved one.