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Planting Seeds of Hope
Written By: Jane Jerry | Issue: 2018/11 - November
Maybe it was the anonymity provided by the twilight at sunset or maybe it was the serenity of meeting once in a lifetime. For whatever reason, my seatmate began telling me about her teenaged grandchild. She spoke softly at first, but gradually her voice rose in frustration, some anger and quite a bit of laughter. Then she apologized for venting so openly to a stranger.
I was quiet and wide-eyed, plunged into a pool of empathy, wondering if I would be able to maintain a sense of humor in a similar situation.
These memories came rushing back recently, when I talked with Melanie Norman, the Counseling and Psychotherapy Center’s newest affiliate therapist. Melanie is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist with 10 years of experience. She brings energy, creativity, and humility to her work with people who face a variety of daily challenges from mental health to substance abuse and recovery. She is experienced working with adolescents as well as adults.
“It’s so important to remember that teenagers have an innocent wisdom that is often sweet and heartbreaking at the same time,” Melanie says. “Being a teen in our society and culture is hard, and so is parenting or grandparenting! If we, as adults in a young person’s life, have the opportunity to green up their life with compassion, genuine interaction, and care, we are planting seeds. Sometimes we don’t know the impact we’ll have for years, but hopefully we will be intentional about watering those seeds.”
Now seeing clients approximately one day a week, Melanie also offers classes at The Peggy Crosby Center, 348 South Fifth Street in Highlands, where the CPCH offices are located. For information about the Counseling and Psychotherapy Center or to make an appointment with a therapist, please call (828) 482-0304.
