Behind the Initiative
5 Stories and 7 Virtues
It took a while for me to think of a name for my website. I wanted a name that would make other men feel comfortable but not something that would deter other people. Once I started to think of how many men wish to have a cave or women have she sheds to help them feel comfortable, my brain fired on all cylinders. I started to go deep into the name. Join me in what the Cave Counseling Initiative means and how I use this meaning as a therapist:
Dwarves Mining in the Cave: Strength and Courage
In many fantasy lores, the mines were filled with hardworking dwarves. Growing up with The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, I watched the dwarves, despite being smaller than most, march courageously into battle, and they were considered strong and mighty warriors.
We are in an everyday mental battle. As men, we are told to be strong and to run into battle courageously. However, being strong and courageous does not mean our emotions disappear; we are less of a man for expressing them, and we can’t express our emotions effectively and kindly. I would argue that expressing feelings is one of the most courageous and strong things a man can do. However, I can not carry your burden, as your therapist can help you in the mental everyday battle. I will help you polish your armor and strengthen your skills to win your mental battles effectively.
Daniel in the Lions’ Den: Hope and Confidence
Daniel was one of the highest-ranking people in Babylon and was without blame. Due to jealousy, a couple of high-ranking people in the kingdom conspired against Daniel to gain his status. Their conspiracy resulted in the King casting Daniel into the lions’ den to die. However, Daniel was saved by angels who shut the mouths of the lions, and Daniel was released the next day (The Great Adventure RSV Catholic Bible, 2018, Daniel 6).
Sometimes, life deals us a bad hand, and we can’t escape it. It seems all we can do in those times is wait it out. As a therapist, I want to help uncover hope. Although Daniel was still in the lions’ den, he was not afraid because he realized that he was safe from death and had the confidence he would be okay. As a strength-based therapist, you and I will explore and uncover techniques and moments of hope in your life to help you wait for your situation out in peace.
The Great Adventure RSV Catholic Bible (J. Cavins, Ed.; M. Healy, Ed.; A. Swafford, Ed; P. S. Williamson; 2nded.). (2018). Ascension.
Man Cave: Individuality
Each man cave has different themes to fit the man’s interests. Much like a man cave, I believe that therapy should be centered and tailored to your wants and needs and not based on my bias or other people’s influences. I want you to feel as comfortable as possible so we can discuss what you want to discuss. Sessions may look like talking about sports, anime, movies, memes, music, mixed martial arts, your religion, or your pets at one point and, in the next moment, exploring past or current emotions or making a plan to achieve your personal or business goals. There is no limit or minimum of what we can talk about.
Bear’s Den: Safety
The purpose of any den is for shelter. Sometimes, this shelter is for everyday life or to weather the storm. A bear also uses their den for hibernation. During hibernation, bears rest with their guard down, so they must have a fortified shelter for safety. I see the therapy space as a place to put your guard down, be your authentic self, rest, and rejuvenate your mental energy to go out to live your life. As your therapist, I will hold a safe space and keep the information you tell me in the den.
Plato’s Allegory of the Cave: Freedom
“The cavern has a mouth that opens to the light above, and a passage exists from this all the way down to the people.
They have lived here from infancy, with their legs and necks bound in chains. They cannot move. All they can do is stare directly forward, as the chains stop them from turning their heads around. Imagine that far above and behind them blazes a great fire. Between this fire and the captives, a low partition is erected along a path, something like puppeteers use to conceal themselves during their shows[. . .]
Look and you will also see other people carrying objects back and forth along the partition, things of every kind: images of people and animals, carved in stone and wood and other materials. Some of these other people speak, while others remain silent” (Plato, 2016).
We have obstacles that keep us chained, causing us to only see shadows of what our lives are or can become. These chains can look like anger, family or relational problems, sadness, anxiousness, shame, fear, low self-esteem, identity issues, or any other obstacle. Once you are ready, we can talk about and name what is holding you back from seeing and achieving your preferred life. This way, we can start unlocking those chains and see more of your story. However, the journey does not stop there. Further into Plato’s Allegory, the people were scared once they were unchained and saw reality. Although this unchained reality can set you free, this reality is new and may be hard or scary to navigate by yourself. However, you are not by yourself. Invite me to be your travel companion toward a better life.
Plato. (2016). The Allegory of the Cave. (S. Eyer, Ed.) Plumberstone Books.https://scholar.harvard.edu/files/seyer/files/plato_republic_514b-518d_allegory-of-the-cave.pdf.