940-218-0999

Lost in Translation

Pete Thompson Christian Counseling

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I often joke with people that I’m bilingual. My definition goes like this-

“I translate husband to wife and teenager to parent.” I usually get a chuckle, but the truth is, good communication is very difficult to achieve.

One of the main barriers to good communication is a lack of understanding. The person you are trying to connect with comes from traditions and circumstances different than your own. For instance, when a newly married couple celebrates important events, family of origin expectations take front and center. For example-“You open Christmas gifts on Christmas Eve? How sacrilegious! Everyone knows you open gifts on Christmas morning.”

In this instance, we see a holiday event so set in stone that to celebrate differently is viewed as an attack on both tradition and faith.

When it comes to teens, a cultural barrier of 20-30 years means that events are interpreted in another context. For example- “You want purple hair? What are you a clown?”

In this instance an event is interpreted from previous decades, and applied to current day norms. Ironically, the same measure could have been applied to the adult when they were a teen, sporting excessive jewelry and leather pants.

More often than not, people find themselves on “different pages.’ Just say the word “parenting” and you’ll get a dozen different methods of how that’s done.

Good communication means validating these precious memories while simultaneously building upon new traditions and experiences.

Pete Thompson Christian Counseling

940-218-0999

PT/LT

Pete Thompson Christian Counseling

Pete is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Texas, California, Florida, and Arizona. He is a member of the Focus on the Family Christian Counselors Network, the Southern Baptist Convention Counseling Network, and Texas Baptist Counseling Services. He has been a practicing believer in Christ for over 46 years. He counsels clients both at his home office in Texas, and across the United States and overseas via the Internet. Pete has worked in the mental health field for over 35 years. He combines a cognitive behavioral approach with the infinite resources of knowledge found in God’s Holy word, the Bible. He specializes in Coping Skills, offering his clients specific tools that assist in dealing with life’s stressors. He grew up in California’s Central Valley but now resides in Lantana, Texas with his wife, Lynne, of 34 years marriage, they have two adult children.

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