Mind-Immune System Connection
often puts it “we’re all in this together…”
What unique challenges and rewards come from working with your clients in an independent alternative healthcare setting?
Challenges include parents enrolling children late, and also struggling to accept that their child has a situation that needs to be addressed beyond just writing a report to legal entity. We often find it challenging to reconcile with parents that some of the matters take longer than a week to resolve as some children need more help. What I find rewarding is when a child is excited to see me because it means we haven’t added trauma to their already challenging situation; that we are a safe house. Second thing that gets me leaping with joy is when I witness the child’s first breakthrough. Our entire office celebrates little milestones with the child.
Do you collaborate with other practitioners? How important is such collaboration to your work?
I definitely collaborate with other practitioners. It’s essential because one could have expertise in dyslexia for example, while the other has wisdom on fine and gross motor therapy, and another on cognitive behavior therapy. Gestalt Theory, which is one of my favorites states that the “the whole is greater than the sum of it’s parts”. Meaning, in simpler terms, never try to do it alone.
On a basic level, what skills does your job demand?
Patience, patience, and patience. Then you must add tolerance and acceptance. When I was in primary school, I used to hear my aunt who was a nurse speak of a friend’s daughter who went to study medicine that ‘she has the brain for it, but not the heart’. I didn’t understand that until I chose my career path because I used those words to guide me. People just want to be loved and they want to know that you care. Anyone can earn academic skills, but without a heart for your job, you’re a liability.
What do you hope you achieve and the impact you hope Heart4Brain Cognitive Therapy Center will have in the next 10 years?
I’d like to have space for children to come for sports and dance after school at no cost. A place where they can be cared for and assisted with homework while waiting for their parents to return from work. This will reduce most cases of abuse to children who are left unattended. Heart4Brain Cognitive Therapy Center aims to build solid family relationships for us to see a Botswana where it’s okay for children to sit and laugh with their parents over a board game instead of “O batlang mo bagolong” all the time.