“Compassion is the cornerstone of our practice, driving us to extend kindness, empathy, and understanding to every individual we serve. We strive to create a space where clients feel seen, heard, and valued, empowering them to explore their pain and struggles with dignity and respect.” Alaina Smith, founder Mariposa Counseling LLC
Next up on our Core Value series is Compassion. As Alaina so beautifully expresses, we keep compassion always at the forefront of our mind because that is the space where healing is able to be done safely.
What is Compassion and what does it mean for Mariposa?
Compassion and empathy are incredibly similar in that they both are a form of sharing in one's distress, but what takes compassion one step further is a desire to alleviate the pain somebody is holding on to. We at Mariposa are deeply committed to healing the world around us, and we understand the importance of safety in order to do that. Compassion is where safety is established as it is our ability to hold a space where thoughts, feelings, and beliefs can be explored without shame or judgement. We maintain compassion through all our interactions because we may never truly know the struggles one might be going through.
What does compassion look like?
You may not have been taught to hold compassion for yourself. That is okay because we can add that to your therapy goals, but let’s talk a little bit about that. Showing compassion for others vs ourselves can look a little different.
Here are some ways you will see us hold compassion for you:
· We keep a caring non-combative tone.
· We actively listen.
· We heal our own feelings of shame so that those ideas do not arise when interacting with you.
Here are some ways that you can hold compassion for yourself:
· Be gentle with yourself, especially on therapy day.
· Allow yourself to feel any feelings that come up during therapy, without judgement.
· Practice what we teach! We will often discuss different skills to encourage self- compassion (ex: breathing techniques, meditation, grounding exercises, or journal prompts to name a few), and just like any other skill, practice is important.
What does compassion mean for me?
I am often the first line of contact for somebody seeking therapy and I strive to show compassion in every interaction that I have. It can feel vulnerable to reach out for help and may be scary for somebody that has not been taught that there is safety in the world. I am hopeful that my interactions express my compassion and encourage those around me to mirror it. Personally, I have been on my own journey of compassion and learning to love myself just as I do others. When compassion can be offered inward it is a form of radical love, and I believe it is love that will heal the world.
-Emily Chivis
Administrative Assistant
Are you lacking compassion for yourself or others? Are you are interested in learning ways to better cope with day-to-day life? Does past trauma have you feeling that there is nowhere safe to go? We can help. Scheduling is easy, reach out by e-mail to echivis@mariposacounselingllc.com or by call/text to (616) 284-1329 today. We promise compassion and a safe space for you to truly heal.
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