| This week I met with a new family whose daughter | | | | some sort of miracle intervention that is going to help |
| has some behavioral difficulties. She came into my | | | | their daughter, and relieve their family of some of |
| office and the first few minutes were a bit rocky. My | | | | the stress they feel. I wish it were that easy. |
| goal for the session was to have the child play with | | | | In our culture and media, we are bombarded by the |
| me for a bit without protest, as this would be good | | | | message that sadness and difficulty can be "cured" |
| progress for this child in her first session. And we | | | | by pills and prescriptions. We want change quickly and |
| achieved that goal. I was pleased, the child was | | | | are taught to expect almost instant improvement. |
| happy, but as they were leaving, the parents said to | | | | The reality is that to make lasting, life long change |
| me, "Did you make any progress?" | | | | we need to take our time, take it slow and watch |
| In my opinion and the child's experience, we made | | | | positive growth emerge. |
| progress. She went from not knowing me from a | | | | Change takes time. Change takes trust. Change |
| hole in the wall, to playing nicely with me on the floor. | | | | takes risk. Change takes consistency. Change takes |
| Next time we will progress to another small goal and | | | | patience and empathy and celebrating small steps and |
| build our relationship and keep reaching for more | | | | little victories. It isn't easy to change and grow and |
| independence and change. | | | | try new things. Be patient with your child and with |
| But I can understand the parent's question. They are | | | | yourself as you work together to make change in |
| hoping that we will make change quickly, that I have | | | | your family. |