I found this quote on a piece of paper while cleaning up my desk this week. I’m sure I wrote it down at a professional development event or lecture. My note attributed it to Frank Summers, a psychoanalyst in Chicago, though I wasn’t able to remember the context in which I heard it.
I often struggle to sum up the goal of psychotherapy and when asked I usually say something about authenticity and human connection. Being or becoming oneself is an important part of psychotherapy. I would add another layer – becoming more authentically connected to others. When we know ourselves we are better able to find others with whom we can form deep relationships.
A full life is one in which we are being ourselves, as well as knowing and being known by others in an authentic way.