In today’s episode, Oakley talks with a resilient client who faced down a particularly dark night filled with despair and thoughts of suicide. This young woman shares the story of the stressful external situations that seemed to perpetuate her suicidal idealizations, including a difficult relationship with her coworker and roommate. Oakley challenges her client and listeners to view all relationships as mirrors into the truth of our own psyches. Through this exercise, the young woman uncovers unhealed dynamics in her past relationship with her mother and the stories she believed about herself based on those early experiences.
One of humans’ basic fears sometimes leads us to wonder, “Am I lovable?” Oakley’s client speaks candidly about her struggle with isolation and feelings of invisibility which inevitably led to depression and hopelessness. When she recognized the danger of her situation, she reached out to trusted friends and signed up for therapy. Something within her wanted to prove to herself and the people in her life that she is stronger than whatever threatens her happiness and peace. By recognizing that making decisions in an emotional state is not conducive to wellness, she gave herself time to experience and express those dark emotions. Once she honored her authentic self, she was able to move through those times when life didn’t feel worth living. Opening ourselves up to be loved exactly how we are allows us to integrate parts of us we may have exiled from childhood trauma or familial conditioning. Self awareness helps us engage in the world as a whole, healed individual.
Main Topics
Episode Links
988- Suicide and Crisis Line
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