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Something I read in my course notes struck a huge chord in my heart... because I know it's going to be something that I have to go through again... and again... and again.

"I consider myself a relationship-oriented counselor, at least when there is enough time allocated for us to get to know one another. I feel closer to some of the people I see than some of my friends, and I'm a little embarrassed to admit that. But as much as I value the power of a helping relationship to offer support and grounding to a client, I know that sometimes it is not enough. There's a teenager I'm seeing now and we have this fabulous relationship. He confides in me, and tells me everything going on in his life. He trusts me implicitly. He likes me, and I like him as well. Unfortunately, he is still doing the same stupid, crazy things in his life that he was when he first came to me. I keep pleading with his parents to let me keep working with him, and so far they are giving me a little more time, but I know that soon that they are going to yank him out of the sessions. It'll be a shame, but I have to admit that while we do relate well together, I still haven't been able to help him change his destructive patterns."

I must learn the skills well.