Some might wonder about the meaning behind, "At the Well Counselling".There were two significant moments that lead me to my decision.  The first came as I thought about humanity's searching for, and sustaining what it is, that we need most in life.  The idea of water came to my mind and was then reminded of a story in the Bible (found in John, chapter 4), that relays an interaction between Jesus Christ and a woman at a well.  This interaction occurs at a time in our world (ancient in fact) that is difficult for our modern minds to connect with.  To understand the importance of this interaction, requires some back story.The woman, who was most likely from an area called Samaria, had come to the only place available to her to attain water, in the heat of the day.  We all know that water is essential to life, so it begs the question as to why she would choose to do this at the hottest time of the day? And long after the waking hours, when the demands for cooking and cleaning would have begun?  Throughout history, since the writing of this story, many have suggested that the "sinfulness", or "wrong living" of this woman kept her in a place of shame that caused her to avoid interaction with others, but a closer look is needed. In other examples of addressing destructive or hurtful behaviour, Jesus had no problem naming them as so.  In this event, however, Jesus does not.  Regardless of Jesus's response to her, we as a society have felt very comfortable labeling this woman as wicked and promiscuous.  In a world of inequality, we tend to push things that we feel uncomfortable with to the side lines.  In a process of helping ourselves feel better, we demonize those whose lives are full of hurt.  We place blame on them in order to absolve ourselves of any responsibility and tell ourselves, "they must be responsible for, or at least contributed to, this situation they find themselves in."  However, Jesus never says anything of the sort about this woman. He knows her and he knows about her past. He knows exactly what has brought her to a place of either social rejection or avoidance.  It is likely that she came from a cast system that relegated her only source of security, to the abuse of men.  Once they no longer needed her, they were free to toss her away, only to be once again, faced with food and shelter insecurities. Regardless of the circumstances that caused this woman to be in the place she was, she was quick to desire this water that Jesus says, "whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst." Its evident that she wants desperately, to end the hurt and suffering that she has been experiencing for so long. For me this story leads to the act of patiently sitting with those who have sometimes lived long and painful journeys.  It's only in mutual vulnerability and trust that healing can happen. It also points to the depravity experienced in our  "communities" of isolation, where we come together but are not seen, and safety exists only within social conformity. The next moment of clarity for the name, "At the Well", occurred during a conversation with a dear friend. He was telling about the shepherding practices in New Zealand (which holds particular significance for me).  In NZ the shepherds don't often use fences, but instead wells to keep their sheep gathered.  They understand that if they provide for the sheep what they need, the sheep have no need to stray.  Fences are not needed. This reminded me, of Erik Erikson's Theory of Developmental Tasks (I use this modality often in my practice) and how essential the first stage of gaining trust is, in all relationships. Being present with and for each other; seeking healing of self through connectedness with others; seeing our world without the attachment of shame, condemnation or stigma, which trauma and inequality can bring; and challenge the constructs that resist accountability and what it means to be human... these things, with hope and restoration being the destination - At the Well