Dear Friends,
There’s a saying that true leaders are merchants of hope, inspiring people
to create a new future.
In Peter Barraclough’s essay (page 9) about his recovery from a stroke, he reminds us that Dick Schwartz — founder of IFS — says, “therapists need to be merchants of hope.”
How is that for a job title?
As merchants of hope, we help our clients resolve past traumas, emotional difficulties, and negative beliefs. We help develop present awareness and assist in creating a new future. We bring enough hope that clients can find their own strength, resilience and self-trust again.
This is a time in history when we all need the most resilient mental, spiritual, and physical bodies. Relying on the wisdom of the collective, we asked our community this year:
How do you sustain hope and resilience?
Insights in the form of words and images emerged. We received over 50 submissions of essays, poems, photographs, and original artwork. So many unique and powerful perspectives were shared.
Below, you will find work by 15 of your colleagues, organized in no particular order. Feel free to read cover to cover, or skip to an essay or image that catches your imagination. We hope you will find them as inspiring as we do.
NaKaisha Tolbert-Banks (page 2) states, “Resilience is a warrior title.” And we couldn’t agree more.
We are grateful to our community of therapists, healers and changemakers, and are pleased to present the 2022 Wise Therapy Spotlight. May it be of
benefit.
Sincerely,
Brian Spielmann & Ian McPherson
Co-directors, Academy of Therapy Wisdom
