Each Christmas, I have the chance to see my extended family at a big family reunion, usually in Texas or Florida or somewhere equally warm. Naturally, much of the conversation focuses on catching up on people’s jobs, homes, and relationships, the big things in life. As one of my great-uncles used to joke, “We were hoping you’d turn out a doctor, but I’d say a mental health doctor is a close second so we’re happy with ya.” Now for a man who fought in the Korean War, I’m happy that he’s so supportive of me being a therapist, although the term “mental health doctor” doesn’t really what I do as a therapist.

If we’re going to make comparisons between the mental and physical health fields, I wouldn’t say I’m much like a doctor, I’m more like a nutritionist. The fundamental difference is this: While doctors can prescribe medications and perform operations on their patients, nutritionists engage with their clients in a collaborative process to help them reach their goals.

Even the terminology is different, because while doctors have patients, nutritionists and therapists have clients. Like a nutritionist, I can’t change someone if they don’t want to change, I can only help in the process. I have an expertise in mental health and relationships, specifically marriage and romantic relationships, just like a nutritionist has an expertise in how a person’s diet affects their health.

Another reason that I think therapists (or counselor) and nutritionists have so much in common is this: Therapists and nutritionists learn about what a generally healthy life looks like, they tailor these basic principles to their individual clients based on their specific needs, and help them find the best way to reach their goals. And in my work, I can honestly say that I’ve loved being in this role.

So here’s what’s great about being a therapist: My clients have their vision of what they want their lives to be like, then I provide a certain expertise and perspective to help them know how to achieve this life they want, and then they get to go out and change their life themselves.

I’m willing to bet that nutritionists have a similar perspective, because they get to see people make progress and succeed based on their own strengths. That’s why it’s so funny when one of my clients reaches their goals; my client usually says something like “Thank you so much for changing my life” and I honestly reply back “Don’t thank me, thank yourself! You’re the one who changed your life, and I only had the privilege to support you through the process.”

As a therapist, I don’t provide the willpower to change; I provide the waypower, or the plan about how to change. I also support my clients the keep their willpower strong by recognizing when they make progress and encouraging them that they have the strength to life the life they want.

So, while my clients are the incredible people who have so much inner strength to tap into, I also have found my role in coming alongside them and supporting them. Just as an evidence-based, supportive nutritionist may be “The X Factor” in helping someone achieve the body they want, an evidence-based, supportive therapist may be “The X Factor” in helping you achieve the inner peace and close relationships you want. If you think you could benefit from working with a therapist to support you, please reach out to me today, because I would love to support you and celebrate with you as you achieve the life you want.

Thank you for reading my practice’s blog, my library of all the random thoughts that would make a terrible book but make a halfway-decent blog. To request a session or contact me, head to my Scheduling page to get in touch with me today!