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From Traditional Roots To Innovation In The City "In Mt. Sterling, if people saw me walking with somebody they
lt’s no surprise that Cockrell is making a name for himself This would say ,.fthere’s Clay Cockrell and he’s got a patient,’ and then
is a man who believes in the highest of standards for his profes- conhdentiality would be breached,” he explains. “Here, nobody
sion. He learned that lesson from one of his UK professors, Dr. has any idea that when they pass us they’re watching a therapy ses-
]anet Ford, who taught him statistics. “ She saw social work as an sion in action.”
honorable Held. You need to go into it for the right reasons,” Also, there may be less of a stigma attached to mental health
Cockrell says. treatment in New York. Often, residents have few qualms in seek-
Another teacher, Dr. Surjit Dhooper, helped Cockrell under- ing out what they need — nutritionists, personal trainers, nannies
stand the history of social work, how it was born and how it devel- and therapists.
oped. Cockrell also appreciated how Dhooper, who is Muslim, Finally, unlike other places, the city itself can be an ally in suc-
broadened the perspective of this small-town Kentucky student cessful treatment. Cockrell’s clients are able to look at them-
who had little exposure to cultural diversity “He was just a won- selves in the much broader context of America’s largest city.
derful social work teacher,..a fascinating man to get to know” “ They say a lot of therapy is navel gazing,” Cockrell says. But
Despite his success, Cockrell acknowledges that his practice is sitting in a room, picking oneself apart in relative isolation is
unusual. ln fact, he estimates that there are only a handful of ther- not how this therapy works. Instead, it demands engagement
apists in the country who use the walk and talk approach. The rea- and movement, to get out in the world and recognize one’s
sons they don’t are as varied as New Yorkers themselves. place in it.
Traditional roots run strong through the profession. Watch one
episode of HBO’s 'Yn Yfreatmenfwith its muted colors and Paylhg The PI'lC€
stereotypical couch and the message is clear: this is how therapy is Pardon the pun, but this kind of therapy is not a walk in the
supposed to be done. park. “l didn’t realize just how difficult it was going to be to walk
Another explanation might be that many cities aren’t large all day long, to be in a counseling relationship and be so mentally
enough to ensure privacy There’s an anonymity to New York City engaged,” Cockrell says. “Then, to add on top of it, l’m walking
that makes walk and talk therapy possible. With more than eight eight, sometimes 10 hours a day lt’s exhausting. A lot of other
million other residents, Cockrell’s patients don’t have to worry therapists are just unwilling to do that.”
about running into a friend or acquaintance, and if they do, it’s lt’s mid-]anuary and New York City along with the rest ofthe
unlikely they would know Cockrell. Northeast, has been hit with a brutal cold front. Temperatures
) 12 Fall 2009