Acceptance, Faith and Meaning Making

Cookies, Learning and Counselor Conversation

When I drew Sarah Meekhof’s name for the cookie delivery, I was ecstatic that I would get time with her.   We had met some months earlier at a training when she came up to introduce herself.  I was drawn to her warmth, big smile and the ease of conversation.  We had talked about getting together again at that meeting.  My first impression continued into my visit to her office to deliver the cookies I baked (recipe at end of article).  As we got to know each other, it was apparent how much she draws from her own life challenges as learning experiences and from her religious faith for meaning making.  And how much she values and works to provide acceptance in the work that she does. 

Sarah is a Christian counselor in private practice.  Her mission is, “Hope, healing and restoration for individuals and relationships.” She shared that she felt drawn to the profession and that becoming a counselor is her calling. She enjoys working with couples and individuals, especially those who want to incorporate their Christian faith in therapy or those who are active in ministry, such as pastors or missionaries. 

Sarah enjoys working with caregivers who are taking care of a loved one with dementia.  This is due to her losing her mother to this same illness.  She shared about the emotional experience of this both with her mother’s diagnosis and as her memories started to diminish.  “The dementia piece has a lot of interest for me.”  I was very aware both of her understanding of this and her wanting to give back. 

Personal Learning

When I asked Sarah about her greatest learning, personally, she said, “For me, the greatest thing I’ve learned is how much God loves me, to receive what he has done for me through Christ – and to accept that love.  I am still trying to sort out what this looks like for me as a counselor.  Being a Christian therapist is really my draw.  There is something grounding or foundational that brings hope.  It helps get people through the hard stuff. Hope and purpose is what I think about with this.  I believe we have body, soul and spirit.  I want to address all areas, which is why the spiritual piece to me is important.”

Professional Learning

Sarah’s greatest professional learning came through difficulty.  She shared about being in a group experience that she found to be emotionally traumatic.  “It made me realize that every voice in group therapy is important.  Every voice needs to be heard.  It will make me a much better group therapist.  I am very attuned to every voice.  Because I did not feel like my voice was heard in that group.”  She also shared how much she values each person’s story.

My Take-Away

As I sat with Sarah and learned more about her, I was struck by her ability to look back to her past and find purpose or meaning in both the challenging and the good. 

I believe that each one of us is going to do our best work when we follow what is true to us.  And those that choose to work with us will often be drawn to this as well.  Sarah is an example of following what feels right for her and giving back with this.  I also value her viewpoint that we all have a voice and story that is not like another, yet there is power in our stories with validating each other with what is human too.  Sarah has her own story, not like another as well. And the world is better for it.   

The Cookies

When I asked Sarah about what kind of cookies she liked, she said that she really likes cookies that have healthy ingredients such as carrots, squash and walnuts.  She also appreciates when honey can be used instead of sugar and thought that a pumpkin cookie with nuts would be in the realm of “wonderful” to her.  With this in mind, I chose to bake Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal Cookies. 

For the recipe, I replaced the minimal amount of sugar with honey and put a little extra coconut, nuts and Pepita’s (sunflower seeds) into the mix. I thought they tasted wonderfully healthy and delicious.  When I delivered these, Sarah said, “They are awesome.  I love them.” I found them easy to make and bake and I will be saving this recipe.  Here is the recipe for this cookie:

https://www.dessertfortwo.com/pumpkin-spice-oatmeal-cookies/

About Sarah Meekof’s Counseling Practice

Sarah Meekhof, MA, LMFTA of Riverbend Marriage & Family Therapy

707 W 7th Ave, Suite 294
Spokane, WA, 99204

Phone: 509.593.0348

Email: sarah@riverbendmft.com

https://www.riverbendmft.com/about

Sarah is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate (LMFTA).  She earned her marriage and family therapy degree from Whitworth University.  She enjoys working with couples and family’s.  She is specialized in Christian Counseling.