When I'm asked about my theoretical foundation for therapy, that's my answer. I'm not being trite. People are messy, they do the best they can, and they show up with all their strengths and weaknesses if they do truly show up. And by them, I of course mean us. All of us.
Psychologist David Snartch, an author of some really interesting books on relationship, talks about the tension between our desire for intimacy and our ability to tolerate it. We want to be known, then flinch at the nakedness that involves. It's hard to both preserve our tender egos and reveal our tender souls. Thus relationship become the crucible where self becomes fully formed. But crucibles are fiery and dangerous by nature, and in fear we withdraw to protect.
"A ship is safe in harbor, but that's not what ships are for", said William Shedd. By taking the risk to stay present even when we fear our whole self will not be loved, we can reach depths in relationship that unavailable in solitude. By taking the time to show our throats when we are scared and to deeply listen when we are tender, our hearts and souls can grow.
There is a reason for metaphors referring to the bonds of relationship. Ties that bind us can provide safety even as they engender responsibility and discomfort. We get connection, and it does come at the cost of staying seen and close. Sometimes that can feel like too much. But there is nothing like sharing a history with someone who has been there for you, warts and all; someone who has seen you at your worst and still remembers your best. All of it is truly a difficult bargain. We can try to be a rock, but we long for water, and relationship can slake our thirst. Our job is to tolerate the discomfort of being whole with another. I think the payoffs are worth it.
