Discovery, not recovery
I am often asked why I find the word 'recovery' so jarring when it comes to addictions and behavioural change. Well, it may just be a matter of semantics but in my eyes 'recovery' always implies a desire to go backwards. I often work with people who want to 'go back to how it was before the problems started'. Not only does this limit what therapy can achieve, it also limits what we're capable of achieving in life.
Therapy is a great opportunity to confront any problems we have and make a new start. It can also be a fascinating place of self-discovery, and a place to use that learning to make strategies for a better future. Therapy is not about fixing what is wrong; it is about making what we have work better for ourselves. In this sense, I believe with real passion that therapy should offer a route of 'discovery' not 'recovery'.
By learning and evolving, we move forward to a better version of ourselves; surely a better option than rewinding the tape to repeat our previous mistakes.
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