Doc Warren

So, you have either just finished your first year of graduate school and are preparing for your internship or recently graduated with your MA degree and are interviewing for your first “real” clinical position. If you are like most folks you find yourself feeling overwhelmed at times thinking about how you will find placement in a field that has so many in it already who have years more experience than you. You may also find yourself feeling timid or even scared at the thought of what you are getting yourself into after listening to some of us old grizzled clinicians talk about our horror stories from throughout our careers or (GULP!) from our internships or first few years in the field.

Cutting is not a new thing though I suppose the term is on the new side. Years ago you were not necessarily called a cutter; you may have been called depressed, abnormal, suicidal (though there is a difference between suicidal attempts via cutting and cutting. One utilizes a blade in an attempt to end one’s life while the other utilizes a blade not to end a life but as an attempt to at least temporarily alter a feeling, perhaps to show that they have control over something, perhaps as an attempt to feel anything after becoming numb from abuse, perhaps they are obsessed with the desire to cut or alter their appearance or to show that they are in distress, among others).

Sandy* is a lifetime member of the local rod and gun club. She comes from a long line of lifetime members and described herself as being born with a silver shotgun instead of the typical silver spoon. She is very pragmatic, means what she says and says what she means type of gal. She has no time for fancy things, unless it is a new Ford pickup. When you first meet her you see a well built, rugged middle aged woman who obviously works outside for a living; her skin can be described as leather like and wind worn. She holds herself much like a cowboy and most folks who like that sort of style would likely describe her as attractive.

A new career can be the best thing. With nothing to look back upon there is only looking at the present and dreaming about the future. Every tentative step, the checking of the footing as we head into the unknown becomes exciting, thrilling and at times scary as anything you may imagine. The world becomes an adventure, energy abounds and even our setbacks can be exhilarating as we explore ways to overcome them with grace. Sure, there are times when we fall on our faces, but even with the splashing of the mud there is an excitement that makes it kind of fun.

I type this after being bombarded with headlines about Patriots player Aaron Hernandez being arrested for murder and other charges. Before I go any further, in the interest of honesty and ethics, I feel that I should tell you that he was once a neighborhood kid who played in my yard and who paled around with my Kiddo, played videogames and ate his share of pasta. I knew him, I know his mumma and she is a wonderful person and parent as well as a colleague who adores her children. I will not pretend that we are close; it has been years since I have seen him and I am sure neither of us gave it a second thought.