I LOVE MY NEW OFFICE ARTWORK!!!! My friend and local artist, Jonathan Alexie, was happy to complete a commission for me depicting the 9-tailed fox, or the Kitsune (kit-su-nay). The fox is my favorite animal! Did you know that they are neither a dog nor a cat but possess characteristics of both? Sorry, I “nerded” out for a bit! Back to the painting.
The Kitsune appears in many popular cartoons and video games that I grew up with. But it’s not because of its popularity that I chose to make it the central piece of my office, but rather because of what I believed it represents about me as a therapist as well as what I believe it represents about my clients.
The fox spirit is said to be one of the wisest of spirits in ancient Japanese folklore. They are seen as protectors and safeguards of humans and are willing to work hand and hand with them to improve their lives. As a counselor, it is important for me to work with my clients rather than for my clients. My job is primarily built on the therapeutic relationship that we build. A level of trust must be established in order for growth in sessions to be possible and together, we work to explore ways to make things better for the client.
The Kitsune has both benevolent (good) and malevolent (bad) characteristics, similar to us. There are times when we view ourselves as the good guy or victim while at other times, we are the bad guy non-intentionally victimizing others. A counselor helps us to recognize which characteristics we are displaying at given times. An important part of that positive therapeutic relationship that I mentioned earlier is honesty. Sometimes we aren’t being the best person that we can be and we are actually causing many of our own problems. A wise counselor will help us to recognize moments where we need growth and help us to change.
“To you I’m nothing more than a fox like a hundred thousand other foxes. But if you tame me, then we shall need each other. To me, you’ll be unique in all the world. To you, I shall be unique in all the world.”
~Le Petit Prince
Let me be the fox that you find!
Let me know if you’re interested in purchasing any of Jonathan’s art. He has a very unique style of oil painting that never ceases to amaze me.
Dr. Andrew Watley 