This field chose me actually. And it has been an incredibly wonderful career. People are in such dire straights at times, with no one to talk to or to help them out. I've always thought it was my duty in life to help others as much as I possibly can. I want to assist people in recognizing their own worth and lead them into positivity. And if I can't exhibit and practice compassion and empathy, my license means nothing. It is an incredibly rewarding and worthy choice to be in this field. A lot of people don't, and will probably never, understand or feel the emotion when tears turn into smiles. And self-hatred turns into self-love and self-respect. I don't 'fix' people, but I will do anything I can possibly do to provide them with the tools so they can learn to feel good about themselves and not to keep piling on self-blame for things that were never their fault. I do not use the words 'problem' Instead, I use the word 'issue.' I don't use the word 'weakness' I use the word 'struggle.' No one is better than anyone else. Also, I will NEVER tell a client that I understand because none of us can. We can help them through resolution, but we will never understand what they have experienced or are dealing with. I think it is an insult to say that we understand because it is not honest. And I do everything I can to instill in them that pain and circumstances cannot be measured - my pain and situation are no more dreadful or more important than yours. In short, I guess, I love what I do. I must admit that I have no tolerance for racism or prejudice. We are not God therefore, we are not to judge others.

People, to me, are people. Our blood is the same color, our tears taste the same and we all have real hurt and pain from their experiences. I admit that I am not a child or adolescent counselor. And I am not a family or couples counselor. I am not qualified. Other than that, there is no population I would not want to work with.

Adults, male, female. Very often they bare their souls to us and we owe them the respect to listen and feel their pain and work to help them.

I wish that everyone could recognize their self-worth and realize that they are 'not broken' and that they are worthy of love and respect.

I felt a real sense of dedication and TEAMWORK-TEAMWORK-TEAMWORK! All of the nice folks that I have spoken to have been kind, respectful, compassionate, and empathic, and they seem to love and 'THRIVE' in what they have chosen for a career. There appears to be camaraderie among staff. Everyone on their staff is as important as the other. There is no evidence of petty hierarchy. And the morale appears to be wonderful. Those two things, to me, make a strong backbone and a viable working place. and less likely to produce extreme stress, and made me feel like a part of the team already.

I have changed this to WHO inspires me. I love this question about my heroes. They are so important to our inner selves. One of my sisters has always been 'the wind beneath my wings.' She has been my rock, my inspiration, my voice, and my eyes since I was a very young child. She has always been there for me - she has been my strength and my armor. She taught and saved me in many ways. She believed in me and helped me to believe in myself. I have always admired Robert F. Kennedy, Sr. I was devasted when he died because I saw so much hope in him. He showed such compassion and promise. He would have changed the world for the better. He was the best President that we never had. His speeches are mesmerizing. Bobby was 'truth.' I am also inspired by music - it has been an important staple throughout my life. Actually, my sister gave me a love of music. I have always been a huge fan of Joan Baez - whose music spoke to me and gave me hope in humankind. She sees things differently than many and she shares that insight. I have also always been a huge fan of Cher since her start. The best thing about Cher is that she speaks what is on her mind - she is unabashedly honest. If she thinks it, believes, it, she says it. No buffers. She was a child destined to make a difference and she has - throughout her life. She remained true to herself and I think, true to her fans. She inspires in ways that people could not imagine.

My clients can expect honesty and sincerity. I want them to know that they are the experts in their lives, not me.

I would begin immediately working toward building rapport and trust. I want them to know that I am here to help and that I do not judge. I want them to know that we will work together at their pace, not mine and that I am here for them.

The first thing I want my clients to know is that I do not judge. I am laid back, but I take my career extremely seriously. However, I enjoy a good sense of humor. I am no better than anyone. I love what I do. If I make someone feel uncomfortable or slighted, I want to be informed immediately. I will treat them with dignity and respect. I will be honest with them and hope for the same from them. I love what I do, it's not a job - it is a life.

I enjoy various documentaries, listening to music, being with my best friend/sister, and visiting with my wonderful and loving friends. I love to read about history and I read my textbooks.

I love to see people laugh and I am honest, kind, and caring.

While working as a mobile crisis clinician, whereby I would have to go to the client's home if they alluded to suicidal ideations with /or without a plan. There were several occasions where the client would be armed with a weapon and they could be quite angry, frustrated, felt ignored and so very alone - and the last thing on their minds was that 'why live? What have I got to live for?' I have to admit that there were times when I was fearful but I knew that I had to help and be his witness and to de-escalate the situation. My heart would break at times bearing witness to the intense pain in their lives. After his anger started to dissipate somewhat, he just started talking. He was freeing himself of his astonishingly tragic history. He had no one. He was in his very late 50s and was all alone. He eventually calmed to the point where he was no longer a threat to himself or myself and dropped the weapon and he rushed toward me and put his arms around me and offered the biggest bear-hug I had ever had. I put my arms around him and he started sobbing uncontrollably. We sobbed together. He trusted me enough to start telling me his story, For me, it was a life-changing moment and I think the same for him. It was the most incredible feeling. He was still sobbing in my arms when the police arrived. He agreed to start sessions with me. He thanked me every time he met with me - he always credited me with saving his life. All he needed was someone to hear him - not just listen and I had that honor. We worked together for almost two years. He prospered and became involved with a woman who had children. They were a wonderfully supportive family. He was happy and he 'finally had someone.' I could never take the credit for saving him. But I was thinking about it one day, and I thought to myself, 'Who saved who?' That's why I do what I do.