The Croods: A Reflection on Family Dynamics and Change
This weekend presented a golden opportunity for some quality family bonding time, which I affectionately dub as our family counseling session. I had a chance to see “The Croods” and walked away with a few thoughts. It was a great movie filled with themes of family and change; it really spoke to me in a way that I could understand because we are all different and experience life through our own lenses.
The way in which we view life colors our ENTIRE existence; The father figure in The Croods was fearful and refused to accept change until his world is LITERALLY falling apart. It takes a newcomer to his world to encourage change and make him see that although change is painful, we grow from it and become better individuals ONLY if we can reframe that change as helpful and useful. So… like counseling. Therapy and counseling teach us to use our life experiences as tools to dig deep within ourselves and come through with something bigger than we thought we could be.
Transforming Life’s Challenges into Opportunities for Growth
In therapy, we strive to reframe life’s adversities as opportunities for deep introspection and learning. Take, for instance, the heartache of a divorce. We reframe that as a learning experience to get to know yourself better and what REALLY makes you happy in the long term as well as learning what to accept or not accept when it comes to relationships. Each person has different wants and needs, and counseling helps to focus these individual needs to manage your resources more effectively. Through the therapeutic lens, this painful end can be viewed as a chance to delve into our innermost desires and values, paving the way for more fulfilling relationships in the future.
Similarly, when faced with parenting challenges, counseling can aid in uncovering a child’s unique learning and communication styles. If your child is visual, you cannot communicate with him/ her in the same manner as someone that is auditory/ kinesthetic. We work with setting appropriate expectations and giving appropriate rewards in a frequency that works for YOUR child. Recognizing that a visual learner engages differently than an auditory or kinesthetic one allows for tailored strategies that foster effective communication and understanding within the family unit.
Even workplace conflicts, such as feeling undermined by a superior, can be explored in therapy to uncover underlying issues of personal empowerment. In our sessions, we ask what small steps you can take TODAY to restore your sense of POWER in this relationship and others. The focus shifts from external circumstances to actionable steps individuals can take to reclaim their sense of agency in various aspects of life.
The Role of Counselors in Facilitating Change
The role of counselors, much like the unforeseen guide in “The Croods,” is to support and encourage individuals through their journeys of change. We are here to illuminate paths not yet considered, to challenge limiting beliefs, and to celebrate the potential for transformation that lies within each of us.
As “The Croods” beautifully illustrates, embracing change is not merely about survival; it’s about thriving. It’s about recognizing that each step outside our comfort zones is a step towards becoming more authentic, resilient versions of ourselves.
The Croods as a Metaphor for Life’s Journey
As you reflect on “The Croods” and its portrayal of a family navigating the unknown, consider the areas in your own life ripe for change. What fears are holding you back? What new territories are you hesitant to explore? Counseling offers a safe space to address these questions, to dismantle barriers, and to embark on a journey of self-discovery and growth.
Let “The Croods” be more than a film for you. Let it be a reminder of the beauty of evolution, the strength in vulnerability, and the endless possibilities that await when we dare to embrace change. Counseling is about change and counselors have existed since the beginning of time, supporting and encouraging this change. So, when you see the Croods, look for the counselor in the film and think of how you can make changes in your life today? Together, let’s cultivate a mindset of growth, resilience, and open heartedness, for it is in this space that we truly come alive.
Family Counseling and The Holistic Store
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