I remember being in my first year of therapy practicum at a local community mental health center with a supervisor who, well, let's say was not my most favorite supervisor of graduate school. He was a bit gruff, incorrigibly stern, and often times rudely sarcastic. There are many things I would like to forget about the year I spent under his supervision, but one thing will really stick with me as a psychologist, spouse, friend, child, and parent - it's okay to be sad and it's okay to let others be sad. The lesson started when I played an audiotaped recording of a session for him (of note, I had client permission to do so as part of my training). The client was audibly crying, there was a pause, you could hear some movement and then I stated, "Here you go." He asked me what had happened and I explained I had reached over to give the client a tissue. He just looked at me. Blank. After what seemed like an eternity he finally asked, "Why would you do that?" What? Why? Is he serious right now? I was fuming on the inside, but hopefully didn't let it show. I repeated myself and explained the client was crying and I had handed her a tissue so she could wipe her face. He asked if the tissues were visible and within reach of the crying client. Yes, they had been. "Then why" he asked "did you hand one to her?" (Read on... )