The Reluctant Client: Compassionate Strategies

Not everyone wants to heal.  Some people want to BE healed- having someone do the work for them.  Some people are overly attached and identify at a deep (or not so deep) level, with their wounded-role/ identity.  Sometimes people can be so lost that they don’t know where to begin. It could also be that they are caught under something so deep or weighted, that they can’t get loose enough from it to do the healing-work needed.  A catch-22.

One thing I will often do with a client I don’t think is “there” yet… give them an assignment, that is do-able.. and tell them to come back to me only after they have done it… it could be a fire ceremony, a sand painting/ nature meditation.. or something concrete like.. make a list of.. or write down your description of.. whatever.. mostly something by which they need to take action… sometimes, if you don’t trust their honesty.. it could be something that requires an actual “artifact”.. bring me X… show me X.. noting that we, in the west, deal with a culture that has grown up on homework sheets and gold stars ( oi!). but- the point being.. by taking some sort of action.. even if small.. they are making the baby steps of commitment toward “doing their work”- also note.. sometimes a client can be caught up enough in something that they may not be fully capable of getting out from underneath.. bear in mind- for some people.. getting there ( to you/ a healer) IS the big step.. when you pick up that sense ( collective you).. it could be beneficial to do a prelim sort of clearing.. or the energetic equivalent of calling child protective services.. where you bring in a guide-guard for the client’s benefit.

I was taught to do this, for example with soul retrieval work.. a totem to watch over and protect the newly returned soul-part, while it re-integrates with the client.  Note- I wouldn’t necessarily call in one of MY guides/ totems.. unless I knew I was in good-clear space and trusted the situation.

Rather, I would call in something on the client’s behalf- or if you have specific animal totems you work with a lot.. you can call on that.. and insert (word?) an aspect of that on the client’s behalf. I may call in Horse.. my totem… for help.. and have Horse, either bring in a client-horse-totem, or some other appropriate totem. Also, what totem or guide, or guide-animal comes to them, can also tell a lot about where the person is at, energetically.

In these instances you might note to the client.. you have some homework to do before we can work together, if you would like to continue.  I am sending a protector (totem) home with you to watch over ( not like big-brother watch.. make sure that isn’t conveyed:).. and help you on your way and with your healing/work.

This way, they know you aren’t turning them out in the cold, alone.  They will feel supported and not cut-off.. and, you can make their homework, something to do with the totem- which will strengthen their sense of higher-support..

This puts the responsibility back on the client.. but with a caveat.. the client HAS been “given” something.. so they cannot walk away with any energetic resentments or animosities.. they can’t say the healer refused to work with them, reinforcing any old contracts.. and it puts the responsibility for the next steps and taking action in the client’s hands- where it should be.

Then when they return, you know you have someone who is at least meeting you – if not in the middle.. at least on ground that is moving forward.. which is what healing is about.  Commitment is key, and so is taking action.  Energy does not like to be idle/ stagnant.. although via inertia- it will continue to do what it has been doing.. and if it IS stagnant.. then it will want to remain stagnant/inactive.

Sometimes it/the client just needs that little nudge. Once in motion, there is something to work with. 🙂

 

 

I am an Education Specialist, Health Coach and Author. I work with aspects of the teachings I have learned from Andean shamanic and cosmology, to health, nutrition and education.  Everything is energy. Energy must flow. Like water, when it does not flow, it stagnates and is not healthy. These techniques help your life to flow. I have been initiated into many of the ancient lineages and learned ceremonies, rites of passage and healing techniques.  I have worked as a healer and done workshops and taught some of these aspects – passing the teachings on.

Author of:
Dancing in Your Bubble : ancient teaching, modern healing
Natural Support for Alzheimer’s
Getting a Handle on Happy : find and fix causes of stress and depression
The Naturally Smarter Kid : a parent’s guide to helping kids succeed in school and life
Cafe of the Hungry Ghosts : behind the veil of ordinary – a paranormal-ish fiction book

http://BeingHerd.com
http://repairalz.com