How being a psychologist is a lot like growing broccoli.....

by Dr Marianne Trent, Clinical Psychologist, Author & Course Creator

Why on earth have I got arguably the worst end of a broccoli tree on my kitchen windowsill?

Well, let me introduce myself as that might help: I’m a Clinical Psychologist who eats a lot of fruit and veg and hates waste. A few weeks ago I was getting ready to fling it in the compost bin and I thought ‘I wonder what will happen if I pop it in some water?!’ So I did. Since then, I’ve tended it, changed it’s water each day, made sure it has access to some lovely sunshine and I’m weirdly excited to report that it’s now got a full root system! I don’t know what will happen to it, maybe it will produce some new leaves, maybe one day it might even produce some new broccoli. Who knows?

It struck me that my ‘window broccoli’ is a lot like my role as a Clinical Psychologist..... helping people to feel alive again and with the right nurture, warmth and treatment that people can begin to feel connected to the earth again and to begin to thrive. There’s nothing quite like seeing someone come to life again and begin to believe in their own possibility for the world.

In terms of my window buddy, maybe I’ll make some kind of broccoli stir-fry one day or it will accompany a family roast dinner, I say that ambitiously because I fully know the grown up one will only eat a token portion and the kids will both refuse it! Maybe I’ll just keep it as a random house pet! Each and every person I work with stays with me in some way. Here’s to humans coming together to ease suffering and emotional distress. Here’s to broccoli! 🥦

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