Subj : Sourdough Whole-Wheat Biscuits
To   : Ruth Haffly
From : Ben Collver
Date : Sun Jun 29 2025 08:46:59

 Re: Sourdough Whole-Wheat Biscuits
 By: Ruth Haffly to Ben Collver on Fri Jun 27 2025 14:45:35

Hi Ruth,

RH> professionally trained in counseling but have done a lot of "kitchen
RH> table counseling" over the years. It can be better than paying a
RH> professionaly trained counselor--a cuppa tea or mug of coffee at the
RH> kitchen table may not solve the world's problems but may help you put
RH> yours into a better perspective.

For sure!  I read the book Focusing and in it Eugene Gendlin writes about
studying professional counseling on a large scale.  The researchers found
equality of outcomes across all modalities.  When narrowing down the
factors associated with successful outcomes, the single largest factor was
the attitude that the client brought with them.  Focusing is a process
based on those findings.

I took a co-counseling course where the instructor said that the majority
of counseling is basically active listening.  She said that people are so
hungry to be listened to, that if you are a good listener then strangers
will follow you around in the streets.

I have read co-counseling books from the 1970's and i think some of their
more experimental stuff was harmful or at least irresponsible.  They've
cleaned it up a lot since then.  All that aside, i see it as a DIY
approach, which is right up my alley.  If we lived in the same part of
the world, i'd love to share a cup of tea with you from time to time.