The following opinions expressed by Scott M. Erickson are his own and do not officially represent the views of The American Counseling Association or the Wyoming Mental Health Professions Licensing Board. The expression of his opinions does not constitute a real or implied counselor/client relationship.

In my more skillful counselor moments, I try to understand what that person’s definition of crazy is and then respond directly to that.  Emotionally laden words like this are powerful and it is important to me to clearly understand what this question actually means for that person.

Most often, I hear this question from people who are in pain, making efforts to heal, and wonder whether their response to this pain is valid and makes sense.

If you now have or have ever wondered whether you are “crazy,” know that you are not alone. Many of us carry wounds that are not completely healed and which continue to cause us distress.  We may also have some organic or genetic predispositions that create their own set of challenges. 

The continued severity and seriousness of our emotional wounds depends upon how well our efforts to heal have worked and whether or not we are continuing to be wounded. 

We may find ourselves thinking, saying, and doing whatever it takes to cope. Sometimes we make healthy choices about how to cope effectively.  At other times, our understandable desire not to be in pain leads us to think, say, and do things that work temporarily to reduce or numb our pain, but ultimately lead to more pain down the road.

When we couple our emotional wounding with a commitment to explore healing strategies that support and protect the things we really value, we begin our first steps toward a life worth living. 

As we intentionally and consistently practice these healthy coping choices, healing takes place and our capacity to manage the pain that comes from emotional wounding increases. We also become more resilient to the seemingly inevitable emotional challenges that are just part of life for all of us.

By the way, you are not crazy. Of course you are not crazy.

Scott M. Erickson is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Kemmerer who has provided counseling services in southwest Wyoming for the last eleven years.  His mission is to “be a dynamic catalyst helping you to empower your best self.”  He can be reached at his website www.scottthecounselor.com or his Facebook page: Erickson Counseling & Coaching LLC.