This is a very interesting article on a movement that tries to take an intellectual, not spiritual, stance for single abstinence.  It sounds as if they have some pretty well thought out arguments.  Of course I believe the spiritual arguments are just as, if not more valid.  However, in our society I think we have to deal with this, and a number of other issues on both levels.

Find the article by clicking Students of Virginity 

I’ve been listening to the dramatized version of the Chronicles.  I continue to hold these stories in awe.

As a Marital and Family Therapist working from a Christian perspective, I get a number of loaded questions. Usually early in the therapy process and occasionally before therapy even begins. I am planning on doing a series of posts to answer some of those questions.

Question #1- How long does counseling last?

The honest answer is anywhere from one session to infinity. That’s as truthful as I can make it.

The fact is that I often identify myself as a “Brief Therapist”. The word “Brief” is certainly relative. When psychotherapy was developed, a normal course of treatment was measured in years. Psychodynamic models relied on methods that simply took a long time to develop. So compared to the early ideas, 30-40 sessions could be considered brief. I do not usually consider that brief therapy, but, there are circumstances where it could be very brief.  I tend to think that effective therapy, under reasonable circumstances, should minimally take 10-12 sessions.   (I think the word to highlight is minimally)

So, what are reasonable circumstances. Most clients in my office will tell you they are there because their circumstances aren’t reasonable. Which is probably accurate. When I talk about reasonable circumstances, I am talking more about the circumstances in the therapeutic office.  Those circumstances are most influenced by the client(s) and his/her/their attitude.  Obviously the nature of a clients issues can have a huge effect on the length of treatment.  However, a receptive frame of mind and motivation will always make therapy briefer.

By the way, this whole entry reminds me of this article I wrote some time back before I started this blog.  It’s not exactly about this topic but it is definitely related.

An Interesting article.  Not particularly spiritual in total content, but at the end has a spiritually affirming page or two.

Link

I love vacations. I’ve been accused, (and I can’t disagree) of having a Vacation Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. I particularly enjoy family vacations to anything Disney or couple trips to go diving. Why is this? I think a good part of the reason has to do with the opportunity to have fun with my wife and/or my boys. The fun with them is 10 times greater than without them.

There are a couple of commercials for Orlando that have caused me to think about this topic.   In one of these commercials, a father and son are experiencing an attraction, when in the middle of the attraction the father transforms into a child the same age as his son. This is initially slightly confusing as to what happened. Then the two boys cast a reflection on some surface and you see that one boys reflection is actually the fathers reflection. The other commercial is of the same concept except this time it’s a mother and daughter.

When I saw this commercial the first time, I told my wife how much I liked it. To which, she replied, “Of course you do, it’s about you.” To which I have to fully agree. There is something special about sharing fun with my family. It creates a bond and memories that I will cherish forever.

I just wanted to put out a brief report about the retreat I had discussed in a previous post. I think it went really well. I tend to want these things to be pretty casual, and I think that was accomplished. I think the interesting and unintended theme was the word “Intentional”. Each speaker spoke of the importance of purposely or intentionally making “The Good Stuff” happen. When I asked them to speak, I gave them very broad instructions and pretty much left most of the details and content up to them. Intentionality. was a common theme that occurred serendipitously. (There, I’ve used my big word for the week.)