Counseling and Psychotherapy

Counseling & Psychotherapy Therapist: Hello, Freddie. Is there anything in particular that you wanted to start off talking about today? Freddie: I guess. Lately I've been having a lot of difficulty at my job. You said you were employed as a retail manager, correct? F: For the time, yes. What sort of difficulties have you encountered? F: I'm just not into it anymore. It's getting harder and harder for me to get to work on time, or to come back from my breaks and lunches punctually.

Sometimes, I'll see employees neglecting to do things that they should and I won't even reprimand them or tell others about it…I just, don't seem to care. How long have you been feeling this way? F: Ever since my car accident. After my friend died in my arms on the freeway when he wrecked, I've realize that what I do with my daily life -- mainly work eight hours a day at Walgreen's, is really unimportant. T: You should know that it's normal to feel this way.

Near death experiences and the sudden consideration of one's mortality typically trigger such existential dilemmas. The key is to perhaps find some other activity or pursuit that will bring you a degree of fulfillment, peace, and a sense of self-worth. F: That's actually what's so confusing for me. When I was first promoted to manager, I was so proud, and not just because of the money -- although I certainly liked that -- but mainly due to the status and recognition I was afforded from others.

I wear slacks and a tie every day, I no longer had to distinguish myself from regular cashiers or stockroom clerks -- I was above them. They knew it as well, and I was able to purchase a new car, tell people what to do, and move into a lucrative condo, which is all the things that made me look good to other people. T: I think we've been able to identify one of the critical components of your existential dilemma.

It seems as though the value you derived from your job was based on the opinion of others. However, true fulfillment and the peace which you seek come from identifying one's own values and acting on them. What do you value? F: It's funny, ever since that car accident I've been asking myself the same question and I just don't know. Really all I do is work, and go to see my mom on the weekends. I don't think I can make a career out of that.

T: There's got to be more. What do you do on your way to and from work? How about once you get back home. F: Well, this might seem funny but I actually listen to an extreme amount of rap music. Sometimes I listen to songs in which people sing, but mostly I listen to rap. When I was in high school, I used to freestyle and rap with my friends. We even recorded a couple of homemade tapes. But it wasn't the stuff that I listen to now.

Now I listen to music with positive messages about social change in the.