Words have the power to elevate or destroy. As Joseph Conrad once said, “There is a power in the spoken word…and a word comes far—deals destruction through time as the bullets flying through space.” There have been times in my life where words injured me, at times I conceived beyond repair. Now, I do not see those words as mighty, in the self-afflicting sense. Words can heal, language matters. I have worked in the field of mental health as an advocate for many years. I have seen words destroy others. I have seen people that I used to see beyond repair from words they might’ve heard uttered to them. I have seen words heal others. I have witnessed the passion and power of other advocates tell their stories to a few who might’ve changed their minds. Words can have an impact. The narratives that we create can break down walls that might seem impassable. I have a story to tell, we all do. Where that story fits into the bigger picture is key. In my intro to social work class we discussed strength-based perspectives. I thought about all the years, all of the hours, all of the time I sat on the other side as a client. All of the times I felt like a problem to be fixed. The times I felt the separation. The times I felt like I was watching the clock, thinking to myself there must be something I am forgetting to say. Words. The words I shared time and time again seemed to flicker away into another treatment plan or tick on a diagnostic. I never sensed what words I shared in that space to matter. It wasn’t until I met my current trauma therapist. She is a licensed social worker. She challenges me, she empowers me, she collaborates with me, and she is a what a social worker should be. She gave me the ability to be resourceful and see how my talent could be used to help others. I first met her one year ago, in a tumultuous time of job shifts and symptoms. With her help she helped me realize my ability to juggle school and work and family life. She guided me and gave me confidence in my abilities. Her words and her skills gave me the ability to rise above and see what I could accomplish. She recently shared with me that she will be moving in two years time, and I shook my head nodding with understanding. I feel a different sentiment, I felt empowered, I view her as my colleague, my equal. I have never felt that before with any professional I have worked with. She may or may not realize it, but she models the strength based perspective that is so needed in this profession. Words can elevate. Words have an unintended power to heal. Maybe my own words have had a healing effect. Maybe her approach had a profound impact on my life. I know one thing. That words can make an impact. One person can have an impact. And maybe that one person that believes in your story, can change your own trajectory.

• Uncategorized