Finding the Courage to Change

As therapists, I have to assume that we’re all fascinated by change processes and continually search for new tools and techniques to make change attractive and accessible to others.  As a woman in this world, and certainly as a woman therapist, I’m keenly aware of the particular challenges a woman encounters on her journey to create the best life that works for her.

I found over and over again that oftentimes underneath the mental health issues of depression, anxiety, family, work, and relationship issues was the feeling of being lost in life.  Many women reported regret, along with a belief that life’s rich opportunities had passed them by, and that the choices they made were an indelible and permanently limiting stamp on their life.  So … the work began.  I know you’re familiar with it too.  I’m talking about instilling hope, building connections, mentoring, and turning fear into courage.  Courage to dream, and then step out into the vision as it materializes step by step in front of you. 

Each of us creates her or his own life with powerful intention, but that is so hard to do in isolation and without living, breathing examples.  That’s what led me to launch Wisewomen Radio.  I was frustrated trying to get results shouting into a pillow, which is what it can be like trying to empower change one woman at a time in my office.  I decided I needed a larger audience and began researching radio, and the Wisewomen Radio program was born.  I wanted to do a radio program that featured successful women from all walks of life so they could convey their stories, and be able to take questions from listeners so women could get the specific information they needed.  I had envisioned a talk-radio program with a panel of hosts and a call-in feature.  I don’t kid myself about being a “talking head”, I don’t see myself as the message, but as the messenger.

Well, I’ve gotten started with a 5-minute feature on KEOM 88.5 FM, and negotiated a contract with KRLD that was to launch in September.  We didn’t launch the KRLD program due to a lack of funding, but moving forward and overcoming obstacles is the lesson I want my life to teach.  Wisewomen Radio has been airing since January and I’ve learned a great deal.  Mostly, that women are hungry for the information, that they really want to know how to create a successful life for themselves.  They’re also scared – scared that other women they see as successful are somehow qualitatively different from them.  The message I try to get out through interviewing successful women is how alike we all are.  The women I feature have started with meager means, pursued their dreams with trepidation, and fallen down along the way. 

I don’t search for women who started with nothing, it’s just a common scenario and one borne out in research about women’s orientation to the business world, an outcome of socio-economic patterns as well.  There’s something else I want women to know: women owned businesses are starting at twice the rate of the general population, and I believe there are social reasons for this economic surge.  The world is changing and women in unequaled numbers in history are realizing that creating a secure future with sustainable wealth and autonomy often means being in business for themselves.  This means women want to know how to change limiting beliefs about themselves, and how to step out with confidence into this brave new world we’re all creating.  So, here’s to the awesome power of change, and to you, my fellow change-agents.

Lisa Dial, MS, LPC, NCC

Wisewomen Group

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LEGAL ISSUES: FACTS AND THOUGHTS

DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS ARE FOR LAWYERS ALSO

FACTS:

              Every mental health professional must be aware of professional ethics. Indeed, every year there are specific ethical requirements for continuing education hours mandated by the licensing boards.  The licensing boards publish disciplinary actions taken. What is conspicuously missing is any information concerning the ethics of other professions, such as law and lawyers. Yet this is an area where providers should have at least a working knowledge so that if clients have a problem or complaint about their attorneys, the therapist can mention that lawyers can be disciplined. The client can be made aware of some of the areas where the State Bar of Texas protects the consumer of legal services from lawyers who violate the legal cannons of professional ethics. It is conceivable that referral to the State Bar Association (1-800-204-2222) could be good therapy.

              Justices of the Peace have been disciplined for using obscene and abusive language in court, and for failing to maintain competence in the law.  Municipal judges have been disciplined for failing to report lawyers they knew were engaged in unethical conduct. Lawyers have been disciplined for failing to respond to telephone calls, for failing to respond to a complaint, for failing to respond to correspondence, for neglecting legal matters, for failing to keep a client informed of the progress of a case, for practicing law without a license or while a license was suspended, for failing to return a file when a reasonable request for it was made by the client, for failing to appear in court when required and for failing to provide a client with written notice of the outcome of the clients legal matter which was handled by the lawyer. (Source, Texas Bar Journal, V.671 No. 41 April, 2004, P. 321 Disciplinary Actions.) Every month the Journal publishes the names of lawyers who are disciplined and the nature of the disciplinary action. Should a client be justifiably unhappy with an attorney, and should this anger or upset be a therapeutic problem, a referral to the state bar might be appropriate.

THOUGHTS:

When inquiring into the problem areas of any client, it is important to determine the source of that discontent and the basis of the difficulty. The problems may be caused by any number of external factors including involvement in the legal system. Occasionally the predicament is caused by lack of communication with the lawyer or, perhaps, legal problems caused by or exacerbated by attorneys who are not tending to business. This could cause psychological difficulties, angst or stressors that require sensitive investigation. If the inquiry indicates the lawyer is not properly responding to your client, refuses to cooperate properly with the client or does not efficiently handle the legal matter entrusted to the lawyer, perhaps a report to the licensing board is appropriate. This is to be considered carefully, and not as an automatic reaction. It’s just a thought. When one of a client’s problems involve an association with the legal system and lawyers, make sure the lawyer is solving the problem and not a part of the problem. A careful inquiry will disclose the nature of the difficulty and whether or not any action should be taken.

Thomas L. Hartsell, J. D.   214 363-0555. Mr. Hartsell is an attorney in private practice and an Academically Certified Mediator and Professor of Mediation at Southern Methodist University

Barton E. Bernstein, J.D., LMSW.