Integrating Spirituality in the Session

I felt like this experience was unique in that I was able to integrate spirituality in a session so I would like to share it with you all. *The facts will be kept general to respect confidentiality.

Recently I met with an inmate who is incarcerated for murder.  He is struggling with depression and is experiencing symptoms of PTSD.  I had already completed a screening, a mental health assessment, and a tx plan during the first two sessions so I had already built a thx alliance.

I explored with him about his trauma narrative and then helped him to process his feelings about his past.  I explored with him any hope that he might have for his future.  He pointed out that he believes in God and thinks that God has forgiven him.  I inquired about whether he has forgiven himself.  He shared that he hasn't forgiven himself and he's still carrying around all that weight from 20+ years ago.  He expressed that he remains hard-hearted towards himself for his actions and his lifestyle he lived that lead up to the murder.  

Since he reported that he believes in God I asked him if he recalls the story of David.  I proceeded to tell him the story of David who plotted the death of Bethsheba's husband, Uriah, to hide his affair and pregnancy with Bethsheba.  

I explored with the inmate who/why he is holding all the weight of his past transgressions for if he can't go back and change the past.  The inmate expressed remorse but he will be unable to rehabilitate if he can't let go of the past so I counseled the inmate on the effects of continuing to have a depressed spirit about a situation that happened twenty years ago.  

I also reminded the inmate of a passage in Psalms written by David, "Create in me a clean heart, O God And renew a steadfast spirit within me.  Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.  Restore to me the joy of Your salvation.  And uphold me by Your generous Spirit."  

I helped the inmate process his feelings about the Psalm.  His face brightened up, then he smiled and said that maybe it was time to let go of all that weight he's been holding onto.

I'm not suggesting that the inmate should be released nor am I advocating for taking another's life but I do believe that sinners can be forgiven and healed...just as David was.  Sometimes we forget how big God's heart truly is.  

My Current Reading List

Since I have a little more time on my hands in the next week or two, there are some books that I can strart reading and a few that I need to finish.  I have shared the Amazon hyperlink if you're intrested in purchasing the book.  Feel free to comment or send me a text to discuss these books any further.  

1. Investing with Purpose: Capitalize on the Time and Money You Have to Create the Tomorrow you Desire by Mark Aardsma from 2016 and is 223 pages.   http://www.amazon.com/Investing-Purpose-Capitalize-Create-Tomorrow
       
2. The Intelligent Investor: The Difinitive Book of Value Investing Revised Edition by Benjamin Graham from 2003 and is 623 pages.  http://www.amazon.com/Intelligent-Investor-Definitive-Investing-Essentials

3. The Boy who was Raised as a Dog and Other Stories from a Child Psychiatrist's Notebook: What Traumatized Children Can Teach us About Loss, Love, and Healing by Bruce Perry, M.D., Ph.D and Maia Szalavitz from 2006 and is 275 pages. http://www.amazon.com THe+Boy+who+was+raised+as+a+dog

4. Bonnhoeffer Abridged by Eric Metaxis from 2014 and is 235 pages.  http://www.amazon.com/Bonhoeffer-Pastor-Martyr-Prophet-Spy
           
5. Beyond Boundaries: Learning to Trust Again in Relationships by Dr. John Townsend from 2011 and is 271 pages. http://www.amazon.com Beyond+Boundaries

6. Building Your Ideal Private Practice 2nd Edition by Lyn Grodzki from 2015 and is 367 pages.
http://www.amazon.com/Building-Your-Ideal-Private-Practice

7. The Life Recovery Journey by Stephen Arterburn and David Stoop Ph.D. from 2012 and is 366 pages. http://www.amazon.com/Life-Recovery-Journey-Inspiring-Biblical

8. Smart Money Smart Kids by Dave Ramsey and his daughter Rachel Cruze from 2014 and is 251 pages. http://www.amazon.com/Smart-Money-Kids-Raising-Generation

Relationship Goal: Connecting with Friends

We all seek out human connection with others and desire to feel accepted by those we seek, whether it be with family or friends.  Even you introverts have a desire to lace your shoes up to head out and get together with others at times.  Family (parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins)  play a significant role in one's upbringing and overall development.  Bonding and connecting on a deep level with family is extremely important; when a son attaches to his mother it helps him to engage in healthy relationships for his future.  Family can also provide a great amount of unconditional love and support throughout a lifetime that helps people feel accepted.

Relationships with friends can be like family too.  Friends with an older gentleman can be a mentor like a father.  An older female can befriend you and hear you out like an aunt as well as give you wisdom like a grandma.  A best friend can be that brother in your life that you can trust anything with.  A female friend can be that fun-spirited sister that you never had.  Friends become spouses. Friends serve in the church/community together.  Friends become roommates that hangout daily or to just chill and watch Netflix. Close colleagues can become friends.  Friends are people you can share holidays with and play other significant roles in your life.

I'm appreciative of the friends I've had throughout my journey.  In every stage and move from Indiana to Missouri and from Kansas to Illinois, I have been and continue to be extremely blessed to find awesome friends to share my life with.  They have most definitely made a life-changing and long-lasting impact in shaping who I am.  You find wholesome friends by volunteering in the community at a school or a non-profit organization, joining a club or group that regularly meets in the community, going on trips abroad, consistently attending a church, or you could also find people you connect with at your place of employment.

Friends can be an excellent influence that can help you develop a good work ethic.  Friends  are there for you to help you discover more enriching ways to live your life.  They come alongside and help you search for a deeper meaning. Friends help pull you up/out of difficult times, and are there for you to celebrate success.  Friends might come in your life just for a period of time to provide support just when you need it or you come in their life just when they need it.  When no one else seems to understand what is going on in life, there is always that friend that listens or knows what to say. Friends can also help you get out of the mundane and go have some fun.  Friends can make an exhausting work day more enjoyable. Friends help each other accomplish their dreams.  

Being friends with others also takes time away from family or work, sacrifice rest or relaxation, drains you of emotional energy, put significant minutes on your phone, and miles on your car.  But the cost of friendship and the risk of seeking them out is beyond measure.  Join me in making it a goal to reach out and be that mentor, fun-spirited, or trustworthy friend that someone is trying to connect with and feel accepted.

Tony Nichols