Marietta traveled to Cincinnati in January as the keynote speaker for the Xavier University Counseling Department's 40th Annual Winter Conference, the two-day event co-sponsored by the Greater Cincinnati Counseling Association. The Arts of Clear Thinking and Good Conversation received a warm welcome, and a fine time was had by all. Here is a sample of participant comments.
As a seasoned professional who has returned to graduate school to seek a second career in clinical mental health counseling, my heart is often filled with the joy of learning. However, the joy spilled over when Marietta shared a Miles Davis tune from his "Kind of Blue" album, during which the audience sat quietly, meditatively, contemplatively and wrote. It was a beautiful experience and another awakening to life's great riches! I was thankful to be among the 100+ participants and thankful to have met such a spirited, humorous, good soul.
- Rebecca A. Morra
M.A. Candidate | Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Xavier University | Department of Counseling
For 40 years, our Counseling Department has sponsored a winter workshop that draws over 100 graduate students, school counselors, and regional mental health professionals. For the first 39 years, we invited regional and national experts in the counseling field. I was familiar with Marietta's fabulous book,
How Philosophy Can Save Your Life: Ten Ideas that Matter Most and suggested to the planning committee that we invite Marietta to share ideas from her book. During and after the workshop, so many people came up to us and thanked us for bringing Marietta McCarty to Cincinnati. "She was incredible. I can't wait to read the book!" And other comments included "extraordinary," "refreshing," "stimulating," "enjoyable," "moving," and "life-changing." I can't imagine an audience that would not find her words (spoken or read) thought-provoking, incredibly moving, and spot-on relevant!
- Brent G. Richardson, Ed.D.. LPCC-S
Xavier University Counseling Department Chair, Professor
Author of
Working with Challenging Youth: Seven Guiding Principles
Thanks for sharing your wisdom and enthusiasm with us this past weekend at Xavier. I'm so glad Brent invited you. As a therapist, I was struck by the many connections between your ideas and concepts we use in psychology. This week I started teaching a basic counseling class at a Catholic seminary in Cincinnati -- the students were pleased (but surprised) when I told them you had presented on philosophy to a group of therapists. It was a great opportunity to talk with them about the necessity of grounding any good counseling in a solid philosophical framework. Best wishes in all your good work and know that you sparked a lot of questions and insights for me that I will continue to pursue.
- Kevin J. Prendergast, LPCC-S
Senior Treatment Coordinator and Clinical Counselor
Why should it take great pain, suffering or tragedy in life to find the beauty and joy? Marietta in one conference offered a new lens for all to find beauty, joy, happiness, and acknowledge our success in everyday life. Thank you to her for sharing ways to empty our minds of clutter to make room for true living-a life that is easier, happier and more fulfilled. I am living in the present and loving, with gratitude, every precious moment. Marietta opened our minds as well as our hearts.
- Susan Wheeler
Hollins University
Office of Institutional Advancement
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While it was a rainy day in Cincinnati, it was sunny inside Evanston Academy. I thought about Plato's image of wisdom growing as we exit a dark cave and gradually climb into the sunlight of mental clarity. What did the child philosophers teach me? I should continue spending time in classrooms with small chairs. I can gorge on simple pleasures, sunup, sundown. The post Child Philosophers Shining in Cincinnati appeared first on Marietta McCarty. 
