The Suitcase Full of Knowledge: Flexible Working in a Dynamic Environment

In our work, knowledge is essential. We see it as a suitcase full of valuable insights: psychological models, diagnostic knowledge, experience with trauma, attachment, coping mechanisms, biblical perspectives, and general life experience. Depending on the situation, we take exactly what we need from this suitcase for the conversation.

~Knowledge: the entirety of what someone knows and understands through experience, study, or education; the conscious possession of facts, information, or skills.

Before entering a conversation, we leave our “suitcase full of knowledge” at the door. We want to approach the other person as openly and unbiased as possible. We also try to avoid planning too much in advance what the conversation will be about. Of course, there is a general line and a treatment plan, but we want the freedom to respond to current situations, such as an unexpected incident from the past week.

Although some tools or a plan from the suitcase usually accompany us into the conversation, we notice something remarkable in our practice. Whereas in a “normal” practice clients often show a certain average pattern (think of social background, country of origin, or type of issue), this is different for us. Our clients are unique and deviate strongly from what we were used to in the Netherlands.

To illustrate, let us take you through five work hours in our practice:

A missionary child struggling with traumatic experiences in a mission country, where they “had to go” due to the parents’ calling.
A homeless person looking for a shower, a quiet place, and a simple conversation.
Someone who regularly experiences psychosis, avoids care, but has now regained enough trust to talk to us.
A person with deep biblical questions about baptism, concerned about making the right choice and the possible consequences for their “salvation.”

As you can see, no predictable pattern emerges. Three of the four conversations went differently than we could have anticipated, one was urgent and unplanned, and one client was new.

Unlike a standard mental health clinic in the Netherlands, where we have our own (work) experience, and perhaps 80% of cases are “standard” and 20% exceptions, in our work at least 80% are exceptions and only 20% are “standard.” This means we are constantly moving back and forth between the door, the suitcase, and the client throughout the day.

This way of working makes our profession not only highly interesting and engaging, but also incredibly rewarding. Every unique encounter enriches us and allows us to truly make a difference.

But to be honest, it is also extremely hard work. Those five work hours we just described are not comparable to five hours in a normal workplace at home because of the constant surprises and switching between tasks. It consumes a lot of energy, but the impact we see makes every drop of sweat worthwhile.