Some of you know I’m a therapist. This year has been interesting as I’m at two schools without a school counselor (I’m supposed to be a “higher level” service) so I’m the only show in town at both schools. This means I get them all: the kindergartener who won’t get out of the car the severely handicapped little guy who bites everyone, the ( Read more... )

The hubby ended up perched on the railing three stories up shooting pictures of Kahului harbor. He called me but the phone didn't work. I watched from the living room the live coverage, a dog on either side and doing lots of nervous petting. When it was evident nothing major was going to happen, the energy I'd been burning all day evaporated and I ( Read more... )

For those of you who have been following my therapy work with 'Ikaika", aged five....

http://s901.photobucket.com/albums/ac219/weirdauntie/?action=view¤t=100_0787.jpg

            She sat on the rocky edge of the cliff, watching his arms slice through the cool water far below. Sand glimmered deep beneath the aqua surface where the perfect wedge of his torso met the froth churned up by his kicking legs. She imagined herself diving in an elegant line into the water 20 feet down-coming  up beside him, a siren’s ( Read more... )

 Another in a series of Autobiographical Pieces with Names and Details Changed for Confidentiality

New Referral

Brandon Smith

Age:12, grade 7

Diagnosis (Dx): ADHD

History (Hx): Neglect, parental drug addiction, frequent relocations

The school counselor who gives me a new referral says he’s “a sad little guy who’s been through a lot” and ( Read more... )

Sparkle

My intern and I sit in front of my trauma client Ikaika’s Hawaiian Kindergarten class. Kumu (teacher) Wailana introduces us. I don’t understand anything she says but our names-I just nod and smile a lot.

We’re there to do a Character Education lesson, and my intern is stationed behind the portable puppet theater and has ( Read more... )

Autobiographical Entry with Names and Details changed to protect confidentiality

I’m supervising an intern for her Master’s program. This helps me because the one day a week that I can give to Po’okela Elementary out of all of my other job duties is not nearly enough-and  it helps her because a good practicum site is hard to find.

My ( Read more... )

Parasite

A long day

tired

I curl on my couch

TV montage in front of

Unseeing eyes

my dog with me.

Stroke, stroke

the silky coat

Soothes me.

There’s something there

A warty bump

I feel deeper, grab hold

Pull

Can’t believe I’m holding

Fat bulb of blood

With legs-

"YUCK!"

Not tired anymore

Running to the bathroom

( Read more... )

Autobiographical entry with names and details changed to protect confidentiality

I’ve always loved walking through this elementary campus, with its dramatic view of the island spread below and huge old plumeria trees dropping pinwheel flowers on the cement walks.  I walk into the classroom, clipboard under my arm. Bright shapes dangle over the low ( Read more... )