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Your net worth to the world is usually determined by what remains after your bad habits are subtracted from your good ones.

– Benjamin Franklin

Do you know someone who struggles with self worth? Have you ever wondered what makes you valuable, special, important, or worthwhile? If so you are not alone. I have the good fortune to work in a field that enables me to meet and really get to know a wide variety of people from every age, stage, and walk of life. I don’t know of any group that is immune to the depressing thoughts that typically surround critical introspection. And with all due respect to Mr. Ben Franklin, I rarely find that a simple mathematical equation  is capable of yielding a result that brings about a sense of inner peace.

Why doesn’t Franklin’s approach of a balance sheet for good/bad habits work? Because your habits aren’t what define you. When I ask someone what makes them valuable the most common first response is “I don’t know”, followed by a few good qualities they possess that are transient. For example if the answer is coming from a middle aged male he might say that he has a good job that provides income and benefits for his family. While this is certainly a positive thing, it is also out of his control, will end when he retires, and could even be taken from him at any time.The same question answered by a female high school student may include a reference to her skill in the band or on the soccer team. Unless she plans to make one of these her life’s work they will be all but forgotten in just a few short years.

When we tie our self worth to something we inherently know to be temporary we are opening the door for anxiety and nearly ensuring letdowns as we experience a sense of loss with each change of life.

On the road to understanding a deeper sense of self worth we have to get past our good and bad habits, past what we do, and focus in on who we are. Your identity should include facts that are more permanent, and that are at least somewhat within your control. Let’s return to the middle aged male above who said his job is what makes him valuable. What if instead he answers that he is a Christian, a husband, and a father? These are all things that will continue past retirement and throughout his life. Additionally, they are things that can’t be stolen from him by a downturn in the economy, or a new boss that wants to clean house and bring in their own staff. What answers could the teen girl have stated that would give her a strong sense of value and self worth that the world couldn’t easily tear away? If she were your daughter how might you hope she answers?

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icon David M.

Bryan is an expert who understands how to break down and get to the root of an issue, and his strategies and approach were immensely helpful for my family. Above all, he truly cares about his patients and helps them. I cannot recommend him highly enough!

icon Lauren C.

I highly recommend Bryan for individual and couples therapy. He always made me feel comfortable and I felt like I could be myself which is super important when going to counseling.

icon Alan B.

In my time in Florida, I had the opportunity to work alongside Bryan in helping families and I believe him to be of high integrity and care with his patients. He demonstrates great knowledge of what each client needs and doesn't just care about the psychology behind the issues the clients face, but deeply cares about the patients. Long-term health is always the goal Bryan seeks to attain for each client. There are few counselors who care about their patients the way Bryan does. I would, and have, recommend him to any family or individual struggling with the issues life brings.

icon Tessa L.

I met with Bryan for about 8 months. I began meeting with him individually (for about 5 months) and for the final 3 months, my partner and I went together. We cannot be any more emphatic when we say that our experience with Bryan was wonderful.

Bryan demonstrates a superb level of care and commitment to his clients. He fosters an environment of openness, honesty, and acceptance that allows clients to confront their flaws and limitations in order to heal and make changes for the better. It is clear that Bryan is in this profession for all the right reasons and is gifted as a counselor. I would strongly recommend him to anyone.

Thank you Bryan!

icon Brett L.

To put it simply Bryan is a superstar! Yes, he is an excellent therapist...I have several family members and friends who have been referred to him, and he is absolutely wonderful. He has and uses a Christian foundation with his counseling and has a calm, pleasant demeanor that puts his patients at ease. He is insightful with his approach to therapy and I would recommend him to any colleague, friend, or patient without reservation.

icon Ashley M.

I started working with Bryan 7 months prior to writing this review. I went alone in hopes that he could help with some relationship issues I was unable to solve on my own. Bryan has been nothing short of a miracle in my life. My story is still being written, but I look forward to my appointments with him. He is calm, kind-hearted, and genuinely wants me to succeed. He looks at every angle and gives guidance/suggestions that only betters my situation. Bryan is extremely intelligent and knows how to help people. Better than that he enjoys helping people. I will continue to refer him to anyone and everyone. True companionate people are not just hard to find but he does with the intent of actually building his patients up. I can not say enough great things about him, and strongly recommend him to anyone in need.

icon Maria F.

My husband and I met with Bryan for about 5 months. The time and money we spent were without a doubt, one of the very best investments we have made for our marriage. The care and commitment with which Bryan treats his clients are outstanding. He patiently, kindly, and honestly helps clients understand situations or wounds with clarity to which he offers sound and concrete steps towards healing. Bryan helped my husband and I to grow as individuals as well as together as a couple, and our marriage was strengthened tremendously.

After our marriage counseling concluded, I continued to meet with Bryan individually for about 3 months. Bryan helped me to understand my need for a better relationship with God which sent me on a journey that completely changed my life. I continue to live with the same struggles (from an incurable medical issue) yet I no longer suffer from the debilitating depression it used to cause me. I will never be able to adequately thank Bryan for the gift his counseling gave me and my marriage.

I would highly recommend Bryan to anyone.

Thank you, Bryan!

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