I've been in church ministry for over 20 years now, and had a dream the entire time that I'm finally starting to truly contemplate. Over those 20 years, I've sat with dozens of men who were broken and needed help to make sense of difficult and trying times. I've sat with men as they grieved their mistakes, as they've wept about their pain, as they've sought to find peace and comfort through marriage struggles, and so much more. This has been a tremendous blessing, and one of my greatest joys of what I do. I know without question however, that hundreds of men have refused, or been unable to swallow their pride and ask for help navigating their personal darkness. Talking to a pastor or counselor is TOUGH for lots of men, including myself.
Throughout the years, I've dreamed of the possibility of taking the idea of counseling to new places. While sitting in an office on the dreaded "shrink couch" is intimidating or humiliating, I truly believe that sitting in a deer stand or on a fishing boat would be far more comfortable for most of us. In the right setting, uncomfortable honest conversations have always seemed easier to me.
Based on that, I'm dreaming through a faith based ministry/organization that offers counseling services in outdoor settings. It's definitely still in the dream phase, but I'm passionate about helping people, and passionate about the outdoors and the impact hunting and fishing has had on my life and my mental health, so combining the two seems like a true value.
Here's my question: - For those of you who feel you could have benefited from counseling at some point in your life, but declined to talk to someone out of fear, pride, humiliation, reputation, stubbornness, etc... -
Would you have been more willing to talk to someone in an outdoor setting, with a less formal conversation and more active (hunting/fishing) environment?
Disclaimer - If you feel the need to bash this idea rather than offer constructive thought, please move along. I understand and respect that there are men here from all beliefs, and all walks. Please don't use this as a chance to argue your side, or attack anyone who believes/thinks differently than you.
Throughout the years, I've dreamed of the possibility of taking the idea of counseling to new places. While sitting in an office on the dreaded "shrink couch" is intimidating or humiliating, I truly believe that sitting in a deer stand or on a fishing boat would be far more comfortable for most of us. In the right setting, uncomfortable honest conversations have always seemed easier to me.
Based on that, I'm dreaming through a faith based ministry/organization that offers counseling services in outdoor settings. It's definitely still in the dream phase, but I'm passionate about helping people, and passionate about the outdoors and the impact hunting and fishing has had on my life and my mental health, so combining the two seems like a true value.
Here's my question: - For those of you who feel you could have benefited from counseling at some point in your life, but declined to talk to someone out of fear, pride, humiliation, reputation, stubbornness, etc... -
Would you have been more willing to talk to someone in an outdoor setting, with a less formal conversation and more active (hunting/fishing) environment?
Disclaimer - If you feel the need to bash this idea rather than offer constructive thought, please move along. I understand and respect that there are men here from all beliefs, and all walks. Please don't use this as a chance to argue your side, or attack anyone who believes/thinks differently than you.
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