Karen Horney wrote that "You need not, and in fact cannot, teach an acorn to grow into an oak tree, but when given a chance, its intrinsic potentialities will develop. Similarly, the human individual develops their particular human potentialities. They will develop then the unique alive forces of their real self: the clarity and depth of their own feelings, thoughts, wishes, interests; the ability to tap their own resources, the strength of their will power; the special capacities or gifts they may have; the faculty to express themselves, and to relate to themselves and to other with his spontaneous feelings." Psychotherapy cannot be easily described in general statements. It is a complex enterprise that varies depending on the personalities of therapist and client as well as the particular problems and issues that are being experienced. The roots of change can be found by simply observing an acorn grow. Is there enough light, water, and soil? What prevents the acorn from germinating? How can the acorn be supported in reaching its full potential? Good therapy is about identifying obstacles to growth and developing a creative and dynamic capacities to meet the challenges of life. Are you ready to grow?
