We live in a prescriptive world! Everywhere you look there are people offering up the latest piece of wisdom to apply to your life situations, whatever they may be; there is an answer to every problem, or so it seems! Not only is this endemic in our interaction with social media, but prescriptive, solution-focused responses are the dispositional communication methods employed the world over! People look to and turn towards trusted others for suggestions, advice, and general self-absolving of personal responsibility. We don't expect conversations with your trusted others can be any other way! In turn, others are happy to dish out their wisdom and judgements on a given situation. But, there are times, where advice received just doesn't match up to the matter at hand. People feel disenchanted with a difficult situation they are currently experiencing and when the wisdom of others doesn't lead to resolution nor a ray of self-enlightenment appears from the sky, what happens next? People go to a psychologist/psychotherapist! Why? Because a psychotherapist offers a non-judgmental space and provides their clients with the time to explore their issue out-loud. A psychotherapist phrases and constructs each of their sentences primarily to convey 'understanding,' i.e., underlying their orientation is - 'have I understood the meaning of what you are telling me?' This is imperative to allow their clients to feel like they have the space to explore. The role of a psychotherapist is not to solve their clients problem, but to help their clients solve their own! The question is, why doesn't this way of conversing happen outside a therapist's room? Do you need to study psychology for years to be able to provide this space to others (your partner, best friend, colleague)? The answer to the first question is that this 'understanding' orientation is not something taught en masse in any educational setting besides psychology programs. The answer to the second question is no! You can have a decent, working knowledge of these skills and provide this type of space for others within a number of weeks! This is what I am offering. You'll be incredibly surprised at how appreciative people are when you allow them to explore their issues for themselves and figure out their own answers! The benefits of which are far reaching in your own relationships, friendships and work-life. Message me if you have more questions. Cheers, Arron