Denver Therapist Valerie J. Shinbaum: The Journey of Setting Them & Getting Them

Oct. 22, 2012 - PRLog -- Dream big! That’s what I tell my students and clients whenever I do a “goals list” exercise in a class or a session. I do this continually in my own life as I achieve goals I’ve set and add new ones to my list. Formulating a goals list is different for every individual. Whether as a Denver clinician or an educator, I’m interested in the goals people choose, and in their reaction to creating the list itself. Sometimes people say they can’t think of any goals, which is an informative statement. It sends an important message about the person’s sense of value in the world. If a therapy client makes this statement, he/she has provided me with incentive and direction. It is a pleasure to watch clients who start out by saying they have no goals, or can’t think of any goals, only to end the session with a goals list to take away with them for future reference. Every now and then I’m honored to hear from former clients and students who achieved goals on their lists.

In developing this exercise, I am working with clients to tap into their resilience, a tool which has served me well and often when attempting to work through a setback, either personal or professional. Also, the hope is that by creating this goals list a client will be improving their positive self-esteem. Next is the hope that a client will utilize the goals list to open their minds to a positive outlook - a world where the glass might be half full as opposed to half empty. Even if the goals list is not ‘realistic’ in terms of real life, just the actual act of writing down any dream or thought or hope a client might have is an exercise for the mind and the spirit.

The article and discussion can be seen in full at http://www.westsidebehavioralblog.info/news.php?extend.19.1

For more information about Valerie or to set an appointment with Valerie in Denver, please visit http://www.westsidebehavioral.com/.