"It may seem counterintuitive, but I believe you must be firmly honest with yourself before you can begin to more past it. Was protecting them your only reason? Was it an excuse? Did you make a mistake, that you should have known better than to make, or did do the best you could with what you knew?"

He raises a hand, palm out. "You don't have to tell me what your answers are. Although I do think talking to someone often can help you clarify things."