A client who's been homeless much of his life shares in group. He’s negative. He's never succeeded at much of anything. And he doesn't believe he has a future. His outlook is so gloomy that it permeates the room, leaving heaviness in the air.
Finally the facilitator asks how long he's had this outlook. It's been forever.
The facilitator gives feedback. He suggests that it would be as easy for the client to look on the positive side, rather than looking negatively at his life.
We often deal with clients like this. They spent much of their life using drugs or alcohol. They've been in prison. Or on the streets. They no longer have a relationship with their families.
Their entire lives are a series of setbacks and failures. When they look back they have nothing to feel good about, a dismal resume.
We suggest that clients like this learn to live in the present. Maybe start building on their current sobriety as something to feel good about.
Once we get a habit of looking at the positives – no matter how small –we've taken a step toward changing our focus and our future.
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