Healing (Mentally, Emotionally, Physically, or Spiritually) is NOT a Linear Process
(Post 4 in a series: Concluding Remarks. Click here to read from the beginning.)
In the healing process, what clients expect to happen, sometimes differs substantially from what does happen. This leads to disappointment, frustration (or sometimes, intense anger) and ultimately hopelessness.
These clients are then inclined to just give up!
But that is only because they do not realize that the healing process is NOT linear. Once they understand this, they can begin to experience the healing process very differently. In turn, their emotional responses to the process, tends to change substantially.
Quite likely, one will feel less disappointed, less frustrated, and more hopeful. One can start to have more patience with the process. One might even develop a sense of humor about what they become aware of or what they are experiencing in the moment.
One might start to feel a little excited — about small changes. One can stop reacting emotionally to anything that one perceives as a “setback.” One can start to realize, “in the moment” that this perceived setback is temporary!
Notice the upward trajectory, of BOTH the “client’s expectations” AND the “actual healing process.” But within the actual healing process, there are ups and downs. In other words, it is not linear. Sometimes what the client is experiencing in the moment, drops below the line of their expectations. Sometimes what the client is experiencing “in the moment” is above the line of their expectations.” But the TRAJECTORY OVERALL IS UPWARD!