A psychologist's experience at the Health Camp for Overweight Children

The experience of Daniela Dociu, a psychologist at the health camp for overweight children

"I went to the Straja Health Camp out of a desire to help teenagers with weight problems achieve emotional balance and out of a desire to have a new professional experience. I never imagined, though, that this NEW would mean so much, such depth in feelings, thoughts, emotions and actions.
From my experience working with children and their parents, this was a camp about emotional openness, courage, tenacity and personal growth. About understanding that our sorrows and joys are alike, and that sharing them gives us a sense of communion and belonging. About the ability to tolerate an immediate, temporary discomfort in favor of a later benefit.
About helping one another and taking initiative, about meeting problems with compassion, for only in this way can we change them. About discovering hidden, latent qualities, or ones never before revealed. About becoming aware of one's vulnerabilities and the resolve to work on one's own Self, to polish and shape it, even if that first involves pain and frustration. About the desire for change and the motivation to become better, with ourselves and with others.
There were many moments when the children impressed me over the course of the 3 weeks, in the interactive psychology groups and the individual counseling or psychotherapy sessions. If you don't reveal yourself to others, you can't reveal yourself to yourself either, because you discover yourself and grow together with others. If you suppress who you are, hidden behind certain fears, you also suppress who you could become, your entire potential. You deny yourself the chance for human connection, growth, fulfillment. When you explore boldly and expose yourself to new experiences that you come through well, you gain a more robust self, more confident and equipped to face life's difficulties. These are a few of the things the children at camp learned and that I myself was reminded of. They learned and practiced patience, the strength to say "no" to an impulse that is unfavorable in the long term, the conviction that they are capable of overcoming the limits imposed by their own minds, the willingness to also feel sadness, anger, frustration, dissatisfaction – emotions that are part of the humanity of our lives.
These children left the Straja Camp richer. But not in material things. Rather in the courage to speak about the things that weigh on them or contort their souls, in the strength to hold uncomfortable conversations, hoping they will lead to a better and more encouraging outcome. They gained the strength to listen to criticism without becoming defensive and to apologize when they felt they had done wrong. The parents left with more attention to their relationship with their child and with more self-awareness. With the desire to rebuild certain shaky foundations of attachment and the intention to add more bricks to the foundation of their relationship with their teenager. It is essential to understand that the little ones, alongside the indispensable affection and warmth, also need discipline. Firm enough to make them respect certain rules and understand their purpose, but not so harsh as to instill insecurity and fear. This is because at their age they cannot foresee the benefits of present sacrifices and efforts, which is why they need from us, the adults, a framework that structures their personality and healthy life habits.
The things we believe in, specifically physical and emotional well-being, give meaning to moments and challenges that can sometimes prove difficult: intense training sessions, 6-8h mountain hikes, keeping to a daily schedule, maintaining self-control, fighting cravings and the determination to continue a weight-loss program. In the end, what we love keeps us alive and gives color to our lives. It drives us to keep going when we encounter obstacles on our path.
I grew fond of the children, the parents, the colleagues. On my return, even people told me I had changed. Most likely. We transform…through others and together with others."