ABSTRACT
The author explores the inner landscape of a counselor, distinguishing between the authentic self from the divided self. Moreover, given human realities, how might a given counselor lessen the divide between her actual self-versus her idealized self. As mindfulness includes a nonjudgmental component, how can we accomplish the journey to authentic selfhood absent a critical focus? Further discussion on congruence between espoused philosophy and practice (e.g., walking the talk) is discussed. In the Lessons Learned section, the author recounts his challenges with an initially hostile adolescent and the transformation in their evolving relationship.
