Geries Shaheen • March 8, 2019

The Affinity of Chaos

Henry Brooks Adams was born in 1838, around the time my Lebanese ancestors were being massacred for being Christians by the Ottoman Empire traveling via Syria. Adams was an American Historian. His father was the Ambassador to London under President Abraham Lincoln. You may also know of his more famous brother.

I love this quote by Henry.

"Chaos often breeds life, when order breeds habit."

Adams crafted a "theory of history" which was based on the second law of thermodynamics and the principle of entropy. These principles suggest that all energy dissipates, order becomes disorder, and life (or at least what we define to be life) will eventually become uninhabitable.

This can be a scary thought, right?

Chaos!

One person can walk out in the rural plains, look up at the cosmos and shake with fear. While another may be empowered at their place in the universe.

Imagine if you will your 6 year old self. Still young enough to have an adventurous spirit, but old enough to fear certain risks.

  • What would your life look like if your body aged and grew, but your mind did not!?

Imagine the last injury you obtained, what would have occurred if you did not treat the wound?

  • Think about the last argument you had, what would eventually occur if you held on to that bitterness?

I’m going to be blunt with you. If you have been reading any of my articles, you ought to know that I can be fairly direct, and honestly, I’m not planning on being apologetic about it anytime soon.

"I’m a big fan of chaos."

There I said it.

I think chaos is beautiful! It’s free-form energy not knowing what do with itself. It’s the unknowns of life colliding at a million miles per hour. It elicits emotion, all sorts! The most stunning thing about chaos is that it provides an infinite potential for a shift in reality, a change.

I understand this may be a bit abstract, but that’s ok.

The thing about chaos is that it can’t be pinned down, leashed, or predicted. Sometimes we may be able to chart the probabilities of chaos, but most often it strikes when we least expect it. Most individuals fear chaos because they fear change. We tend to be a people that desire familiarity, and the comfort of conditioned responses. Differences or changes make us naturally squirm.

Carl Rogers, an American psychologist , had this idea that revolutionized the counseling and therapy world when it came to adolescent treatment. “What if we met the need rather than highlighted the behavior.”

I’ll never forget the first video case study I saw of Carl Rogers holding a session with a middle school boy who was identified, and self-identified, as the “bad” kid in school. He was specifically chosen to be the subject of Mr. Rogers’ video series. The kid discussed the “bad” things he had done and how he justified them. The kid defined these bad things and then concluded he then must also be bad.

Slowly and repeatedly Carl began to make subtle statements that granted the client a sense of restructured identity. “Yes you hit another boy in class, but surely you’re not a boy that is a monster.” “Oh no, I’m not a monster,” said the boy “I was angry.”. Now we’re getting somewhere.

The idea is that if the kid perceived his actions as outside of his own identity, then the action can be isolated and replaced. If the kid identifies as the action itself, then identity restructuring and moral development would be the path to take.

Either way, chaos is king. The adolescent may learn social expectations and responsibility through structured activities and book work, but it will take pure organic learning to teach the spirit and train the mind.

Chaos approaches and something must shift, something must give, something must change.

That change might seem external, but truly it is not the external thing that changes but rather the inner self. It can take many forms and result in many emotions. A car accident, loss, illness, disaster, trauma, these things may not be nice experiences, they truly are not, but they do prompt and encourage response. The change is internal. Reflection, appreciation, resilience, awareness, definition, self-worth, humility. We have these inner structures already, chaos forces us to engage with them.

Our definition of chaos is just as vague and relative as any other concept. One person's tolerance to change or chaos is completely different from other persons. Have you ever thought about why that is? Are there levels of pain, happiness, disgust that are unique, while other levels universal?

We tend to walk about feeling specific emotions, but carry them in basic ways. I often review this emotions wheel with clients that have a difficult time verbalizing their emotions. They cant get more specific than "Angry, Sad, Happy,". The below emotions wheel helps clients pinpoint the specific thing they may be feeling. The more specific we can get, the more precise we can be in processing through said emotion.

In a normative situation, this precision is awesome. Chaos, however, jumbles our world, and our emotions. This method of precision breaks down. The situation becomes overwhelming, bigger than ourselves and our understanding. Resisting chaos becomes counter-intuitive. Opening our arms and welcoming it, seeing it with lenses outside of our selves becomes the challenge and the advantageous response.

The thing is, we ought not to have the privilege of choosing which emotions are labeled as "bad", and which are "Good". Some might not feel nice, others might hurt, but that is the result of the chemical composition in the situation rather than an ultimate and true nature of the emotion.

I would venture to say that all emotion is equally important and equally needed. It would be discrediting to avoid one simply because it causes discomfort. Imagine saying "I'm choosing not to be happy at my sisters' wedding because the level of joy is just too much to handle." Sounds odd, wouldn't you agree?

My ancestors met chaos face to face , they chose to create a new reality for themselves. They left, headed south. A husband, and a pregnant wife. The husband died traveling, leaving the boy to be raised without his biological father. That boy eventually had a family of his own. Fast forward approximately 177 years and here I am. This positions me in a place of courage. Rather than sitting in fear of chaos or even anticipated chaos, I can see it as an infinite opportunity. I can see it as life.

"Chaos, good news!"

Do you agree? More importantly, do you disagree!? I would love to hear your thoughts! Comment below!


Geries Shaheen is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Nationally Certified Counselor operating in and around St. Louis Missouri. Geries teaches psych classes as a professor at Saint Louis Christian College and offers Adolescent/ Family Therapy through Preferred Family Healthcare. Geries holds his MA in Professional Counseling from Lindenwood University, BA in Intercultural Studies from Lincoln Christian University, and holds a certificate in Life Coaching, Geries provides life coaching services to clients online globally.

Pioneer Counseling Blog

Navigating Change in 2026 with Resilience and Hope

By Geries Shaheen • January 3, 2026
January invites reflection. In 2026, whether you’re a clinician supporting others or a client investing in your own healing, one truth remains constant: change is inevitable—but growth is intentional. The way we engage with change shapes outcomes more than the change itself. While mental health frameworks, technologies, and conversations continue to evolve, the core of healing remains deeply human—rooted in connection, meaning, and courage. The Bigger Picture: A Need That’s Real, and Hopeful Mental health challenges are widespread, yet the story does not end there. Globally, over 1 billion people live with a mental health condition. In the United States, nearly 1 in 4 adults experienced a mental health concern in the past year. At the same time, recent data shows improvements in youth mental health, including reductions in major depressive episodes and suicidal ideation. These numbers tell a dual story: the need is significant, and progress is possible. For Clinicians: Where Science Meets Presence We practice at the intersection of evidence and empathy. Recent trends show that more than half of adults with mental health conditions are now receiving treatment, and nearly 70% of individuals with serious mental illness are accessing care. Additionally, close to nine out of ten people who engage in therapy report meaningful improvements in their lives. What this reinforces in 2026: Evidence-based modalities matter, but how they are delivered matters just as much. Emotional safety is not optional; it is foundational. Small, often quiet gains are still powerful indicators of change. Progress does not always look dramatic. Sometimes it looks like a client naming an emotion more clearly, setting a boundary, or returning after a difficult week. These moments count. For Clients: Your Healing Is Not a Performance If you are in therapy, or considering it, these truths are worth holding onto this year: You are not behind. Healing has no universal timeline. Your voice matters. Therapy works best when your values and lived experience shape the process. Progress is rarely linear. Growth often includes pauses, detours, and revisiting old ground with new insight. Therapy is not about becoming a different person. It is about becoming more fully yourself. The data supports this: the vast majority of people who engage in counseling report improvements in confidence, emotional regulation, and overall well-being. A Shared Journey Forward Clinicians and clients are not on opposite sides of the work, we are collaborators in a shared human process. Hope in 2026 is not blind optimism. It is grounded in effort, connection, and skill-building. It shows up in sessions that feel hard but honest, in moments of insight that arrive quietly, and in the courage to keep showing up. As this year unfolds, may healing feel attainable, growth feel sustainable, and change feel less overwhelming. One intentional step at a time. Geries Shaheen is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Nationally Certified Counselor operating in and around St. Louis Missouri. Geries holds his MA in Professional Counseling from Lindenwood University, BA in Intercultural Studies from Lincoln Christian University, and holds a certificate in Life Coaching, Geries provides life coaching services to clients online globally. Geries is EMDR trained and DBT Certified, practicing from a TIC lens.

DBT Nightmare Protocol

By Geries Shaheen • March 25, 2023
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) was developed by psychologist Marsha Linehan in the 1980s to treat individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD). DBT combines cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) with mindfulness and emphasizes acceptance and validation of intense emotions. It involves weekly individual and group therapy sessions, where individuals learn specific skills related to mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. DBT has since been adapted to treat a range of mental health conditions and is recognized as an evidence-based treatment. DBT has been proven effective in treating a wide range of mental health conditions, including borderline personality disorder, substance abuse, and eating disorders. One of the key components of DBT is the use of specific protocols to address common issues that clients may experience. One of these protocols is the DBT Nightmare Protocol, which is designed to help individuals who are experiencing recurring nightmares. Nightmares are a common experience for many people, and they can be particularly distressing for individuals who have experienced trauma. In fact, nightmares are a symptom of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and they can be a significant barrier to healing for individuals who are struggling with this condition. The DBT Nightmare Protocol was developed to help these individuals manage their nightmares and reduce their overall distress. The DBT Nightmare Protocol is a 10-week protocol that is designed to help individuals learn to manage their nightmares through a combination of behavioral strategies and cognitive techniques. The protocol is typically conducted in a group setting, although it can also be done on an individual basis. The following is an overview of the different components of the DBT Nightmare Protocol. Week 1: Psychoeducation The first week of the DBT Nightmare Protocol is dedicated to psychoeducation. During this week, the therapist will provide information about nightmares and the impact they can have on mental health. Clients will also learn about the common triggers for nightmares and the different ways in which nightmares can be managed. Week 2: Sleep Hygiene During the second week of the DBT Nightmare Protocol, clients will learn about sleep hygiene. This includes information about the importance of getting enough sleep, as well as strategies for improving sleep quality. Clients will also learn about the relationship between sleep and nightmares, and they will be provided with specific strategies for reducing the frequency and intensity of their nightmares. Week 3: Imagery Rehearsal Therapy Imagery rehearsal therapy (IRT) is a technique that is commonly used to treat nightmares. During the third week of the DBT Nightmare Protocol, clients will learn about IRT and how it can be used to reduce the frequency and intensity of nightmares. Clients will also have the opportunity to practice IRT techniques with the guidance of their therapist. In IRT, your therapist first provides you with background information on sleep and nightmares to "set the scene" for learning to manage them. Then, working with your therapist, you create detailed, nonfrightening endings for nightmares you've had repeatedly. Write down and rehearse the nightmares with the new endings. Learn how to monitor your nightmares so you know how well your IRT treatment is working. The goal is to "reprogram" your nightmares to be less terrifying if and when they occur again. Week 4: Mindfulness Mindfulness is a key component of DBT, and it can be particularly helpful for individuals who are experiencing nightmares. During the fourth week of the DBT Nightmare Protocol, clients will learn about mindfulness and how it can be used to manage anxiety and other symptoms associated with nightmares. Week 5: Progressive Muscle Relaxation Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) is a relaxation technique that involves tensing and then relaxing different muscle groups in the body. This technique can be particularly helpful for individuals who are experiencing nightmares. During the fifth week of the DBT Nightmare Protocol, clients will learn about PMR and how it can be used to reduce the intensity of nightmares. Week 6: Cognitive Restructuring Cognitive restructuring is a technique that is used to challenge negative thought patterns and beliefs. During the sixth week of the DBT Nightmare Protocol, clients will learn about cognitive restructuring and how it can be used to challenge negative beliefs and thoughts that contribute to nightmares. People sometimes experience distorted thinking. Thought patterns that create an unhealthy perspective of reality. Cognitive distortions often lead to depression, anxiety, relationship problems, and self-defeating behaviors. Examples of cognitive distortions include: black-and-white thinking catastrophizing overgeneralizing personalizing Cognitive restructuring allows you to notice these maladaptive thoughts as they’re occurring. And then practice reframing these thoughts in more accurate ways. During this step, you will question your assumptions, gather evidence by self-monitoring on a daily basis, and perform cost-benefit various analyses. If you can change how you look at certain events or circumstances, your feelings and the actions you take may also change. Week 7: Graded Exposure Graded exposure is a technique that involves gradually exposing oneself to a feared situation or object. During the seventh week of the DBT Nightmare Protocol, clients will learn about graded exposure and how it can be used to reduce the fear associated with nightmares. Week 8: Relaxation Training Relaxation training is a technique that involves teaching individuals to relax their bodies and minds. During the eighth week of the DBT Nightmare Protocol, clients will learn about relaxation training and how it can be used to reduce anxiety and other symptoms associated with nightmares. Clients will also have the opportunity to practice relaxation techniques with the guidance of their therapist. Week 9: Self-Compassion Self-compassion is an important component of DBT, and it can be particularly helpful for individuals who have experienced trauma. During the ninth week of the DBT Nightmare Protocol, clients will learn about self-compassion and how it can be used to reduce self-criticism and self-blame associated with nightmares. Week 10: Relapse Prevention The final week of the DBT Nightmare Protocol is focused on relapse prevention. During this week, clients will learn about the different strategies they can use to maintain the progress they have made in managing their nightmares. They will also be encouraged to develop a plan for how they will continue to manage their nightmares after the end of the protocol. The DBT Nightmare Protocol is a comprehensive and effective approach to managing nightmares. By incorporating a range of behavioral and cognitive strategies, clients are able to learn the skills they need to reduce the frequency and intensity of their nightmares. If you are experiencing nightmares, it may be helpful to speak with a mental health professional who is trained in DBT to see if the DBT Nightmare Protocol is right for you. Unsure about adapting DBT into your framework? -A randomized controlled trial of DBT for suicidal and self-injuring individuals with BPD found that DBT was more effective than treatment as usual in reducing suicidal and self-injurious behaviors (Linehan et al., 2006). -A meta-analysis of 11 randomized controlled trials of DBT for individuals with BPD found that DBT was effective in reducing suicidal and self-injurious behaviors, as well as other symptoms of BPD, such as depression and anxiety (Kliem et al., 2010). -A randomized controlled trial of DBT for individuals with binge eating disorder found that DBT was more effective than treatment as usual in reducing binge eating and improving eating disorder-related attitudes and behaviors (Safer et al., 2010). -A review of 17 studies of DBT for individuals with substance use disorders found that DBT was effective in reducing substance use and improving overall functioning (Linehan et al., 2002). Overall, research suggests that DBT is an effective treatment for a range of mental health conditions, including BPD, eating disorders, substance use disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is worth noting that the effectiveness of DBT can vary depending on individual factors, such as the severity of symptoms and the level of treatment adherence. Perhaps you are a private practice in the mental health industry, or maybe a large agency trying to get your clinicians on the same page regarding Trauma Informed Care. Consider the Pioneer Counseling Trauma Informed Care Psychotherapy Tx Planner. It really is more than a tx planner, it is a guide and a point of reference. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BQ9FWFMT?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_0MKBDBQ5PRD8G8NBEJ0B No alt text provided for this image Geries Shaheen is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Nationally Certified Counselor operating in and around St. Louis Missouri. Geries holds his MA in Professional Counseling from Lindenwood University, BA in Intercultural Studies from Lincoln Christian University, and holds a certificate in Life Coaching, Geries provides life coaching services to clients online globally. Geries is EMDR trained and DBT Certified, practicing from a Trauma Informed Care lens.e body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.
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