takeaway: The force of curiosity is the fuel that powers learning. Every client, every session, every day is an opportunity for assessing and reassessing, and from that comes mastery, growth, and progress for our clients and the profession.

“I’m sorry, what did you say?”
As soon as that came out of my mouth, I felt a little embarrassed at my tone of voice. At the same time, I could not hide the incredulousness I felt.
My new client came to see me at the recommendation of another therapist and was relating her long struggle with costochondritis, which is a painful condition regarding chest pain. My client was extremely articulate and knowledgeable about her condition, and as she sat in front of me, she recounted her difficult journey through the health-care system. She had first experienced a bout of pain about seven years ago, coming on completely unexpectedly. Initial visits to her doctor ruled out any life-threatening cause, but the pain not only continued, but increased. As it began to seriously affect her daily life, she sought out more health-care providers in multiple disciplines, looking for clarity as to the cause of her pain and ideas about the path forward. The list of places from which she sought help was impressive, yet none provided any clear direction.
At one point, she stated, “About year number four, I met a physician who showed an interest in my case.”   
“I’m sorry, what did you say?” was my immediate and probably inappropriate response.
She looked at me with a resolute smile.
“Yes, I know what I’m saying,” she answered. “This person was interested enough to say he did not know the answers to my questions but would spend time exploring and researching my symptoms. After the diagnosis of costochondritis was established, most doctors said the symptoms would resolve on their own. But as time went on, no one could explain why the pain continued or what I could do to help myself. This doctor was refreshing, and it started with him admitting he did not know, but then he took the time to explore it further. With my own engineering background, which is steeped in problem-solving, I kept wondering why no one else took this opportunity to learn more. Where is curiosity?”
Where is curiosity? That question reverberated in my brain. I need to point out that this client had seen multiple massage therapists as well, and the interactions were not terribly satisfying. The therapists did whatever work they were trained in, and when that didn’t help, suggested she see someone else. No one seemed committed to following through and solving this problem with her.
This was perhaps even more powerful to me because of my interaction with the client who immediately preceded her. The previous client had complications after a knee replacement and called multiple therapists in her area but found no one willing to dive into her case nor any who seemed curious as to the exact nature of her symptoms. She ultimately drove three hours to see a wonderful therapist, who, after several sessions, suggested she connect with me, since my clinic was a shorter drive.
In the clinic, every novel presentation from a client becomes an opportunity for learning and growth. This was certainly true for costochondritis, a condition I was aware of but had never seen a client who struggled with it. This opened a door of exploration that has continued to be fruitful. Having been in practice for more than 40 years, I am continually amazed at the new clinical situations I face. Writing these words, I am thinking back over the clients I have seen just this week. Several new clients presented with symptoms or presentations I had no prior experience with.
As my client said, the door to learning is often opened by first admitting “I do not know.” Claude Bernard, a French physiologist from the 19th century, is sometimes attributed with saying, “It is what we think we know that prevents us from learning.”
It took me a long time to understand that my role isn’t always to know the answer, but to deeply understand the process of how to find out. This is understandably a difficult position, as clients are seeking help from us. It is a humbling position to admit lack of knowledge, but it is the requisite first step in the process of learning and mastery.
It cannot be overstated that the fuel that powers the learning journey is the force of curiosity. Every excellent therapist I have ever met is also an innately curious person. The next step in the journey is the process of discovery. I’ve had many (what I thought were) brilliant insights during the process of discovery. Unfortunately, many, if not most of them, didn’t work when applied in the clinic. Theories and insights are easy; application is often difficult. This is the last step—implementation. That’s why I love being in the clinic, testing my ideas every day in real and meaningful ways. In the process, I grow as a person and a therapist, and get to help people along the way.