Rose Gillis, MA, LMHC

Initial trust is not earned; it is a risk. And so, it means you might just be a human if you’ve struggled in this regard.  The more emotionally safe a person is, the easier it is to venture into trust, a process which requires getting to know someone.  For some though, it comes down to “who is even worth the risk anymore?”  Well, for starters, it’s when you can be yourself, feel acceptance and kindness, do not have to fear controlling behavior, and the other person demonstrates honesty and accountability through courage, compassion…and a tad of humor, as the medicine of connection comes in both the oxygen of laughter and the saline of tears.  The deeper levels of safety though are found when someone also demonstrates in their life, craft, or profession excellence, yet not egotism, sound judgement, yet not condemnation, and upholds the ethical practices surrounding whatever avenue this expression takes. These are the things for which I strive, as they are the key to enriching relationships.  People do get better with therapy—a tangible hope not based on wishing but from evidence showing it works—a knowledge that fuels my focus to continuously explore what needs to be addressed so that graduating therapy is a tangible reality too when attached to the motivation of turning challenge into goals that grow beyond the shadow of their original concern.”

– Rose