Why did you chose the elephant?

 Moyo, the rescued baby elephant, was just a few days old when he nearly drowned. Although he was so young at the time, elephants have a phenomenal memory. Young Moyo could never forget his traumatic experience in the water. For Moyo, with hard work, social support, and a willingness to try, this young elephant faced his fear head on and now loves the water. Face your fears, confront your skeletons, stop avoiding the worst. OCD and Phobias are not uncommon, and yet very treatable with cognitive-behavioral therapies. Reach out today to get started with CBT.

Face your fears!

 In the Ghana region of Africa, the Asante people revere the elephant, as they view them as their reincarnated leaders. In western Africa in Benin, the Kingdom of Dahomey associates the elephant with Guezo and his son Glele, who were rulers in the 19th century. A proverb that is popular with local people expresses their reverence for elephants: 

“The animal steps on the ground, but the elephant steps down with strength.”

When you're assertive, nothing can stop you. No one can slow you down, or keep you from your goal. And some times we may find ourselves with no motivation, no drive, no sense of purpose. I can help you work on your self-confidence and assertive communication skills.   

Elephants are highly social animals that form deep bonds with their family members and other elephants in their social groups. Elephants have been seen mourning as a herd when a group member perishes. These social bonds are thought to play a significant role in shaping their personalities, as they are able to learn from and be influenced by their peers. For example, studies have shown that elephants can learn from each other's behaviors and even mimic them, suggesting that they are able to observe and adapt to the personalities of other elephants in their group. This elephant handled grief and seemed to express it in a deep and caring manner. Handling grief in our own life can be difficult, yet it is a common topic that we must all face. Processing your grief in a healthy way, helps you honor the memory and maintain a healthy emotional wellbeing.

“Heartbreak is life educating us.”

– George Bernard Shaw

 Elephants are known to comfort other elephants in distress and stand beside them touching with trunks and making soft sounds.   In Kerala, India, a baby elephant falls into a ditch (or an abandoned well) and gets trapped there. As the family of wild elephants watches and waits on the other side of the river, local people and forest officials use an earthmover to help the baby get out. Watch when they come running and welcoming the baby, checking whether it is fine and the incredible moment when the matriarch turns and salutes the humans, thanking them for saving their little one. Elephants are known to comfort other elephants in distress and stand beside them touching with trunks and making soft sounds.  What are some of your personal coping skills? Do you prefer soothing, grounding, expressive, or meditative coping strategies? Let's discuss this further in therapy.