The Interpreted Rock

By Stephen C. Schultz The air was thin and cool. Stars speckled the sky as the faint, flashing strobe of a commercial airline silently glided across the cosmos. The leaves rustled in a slight breeze that carried the unmistakable hum of crickets through the canyon. I turned and noticed the feather of a bird of prey dangling from the limb of a pine. There was a nervous energy that seemed out of place in such calm surroundings. This was the beginning of an early morning Phase Review for three students enrolled at Oxbow Academy. They stood at the trailhead, a little disheveled and groggy. The boys circled up and had a brief conversation with the therapists about situations in their lives where they had made decisions that betrayed the trust of their parents and other loved ones. In fact, some of their behaviors had been downright painful for others to endure. The conversation then shifted to the various struggles of life. The therapists pointed out that the trail they would hike repr...

By Stephen C. Schultz The smell of roasted turkey filled the house, with just a hint of sage lingering in the air. Sweet potatoes, homemade rolls, and pumpkin pie lined the kitchen counter, waiting for the meal to begin. I was sitting on the couch, enjoying a conversation with my brother, Dr. Jared C. Schultz . He and his family were in town for our annual Thanksgiving dinner, a tradition that has become one of my favorite parts of the holiday season. My brother, Dr. Jared C. Schultz, is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Rehabilitation Counseling at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). Throughout his career, he has focused on rehabilitation counseling, disability services, counselor education, and helping individuals with disabilities prepare for meaningful employment and independent living. My own career has included nearly thirty years working in addiction counseling, residential treatment, and mental health services. While our professional paths have bee...