Hello everyone! I hope your holiday break offered good moments with family and friends. This post is my first of 2025, and it marks a return to coursework after a few weeks of rest and study on my own.
Toward the end of last year, I mentioned plans to complete three online courses on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) through the Beck Institute. I am happy to report that I have wrapped up Basics of CBT: Essentials I and CBT for Depression, and I am about halfway through CBT for Anxiety. Each course has broadened my understanding of the knowledge required outside of my regular Counseling program. Ongoing education will support the work I will do with future clients, allowing me to serve with confidence and competence.
With the holidays behind us, I am now at the halfway point in my Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Palo Alto University. Reaching this stage feels like a steppingstone toward the rest of the year, which brings new classes and goals.
Speaking of classes, they start this evening, and I am taking two:
CLIN604 Addiction Counseling: This course covers substance and behavioral addictions, co-occurring disorders, and various strategies for identification, assessment, treatment, and prevention. We will also explore legal and medical aspects of addiction and how these issues affect couples and families. I am looking forward to learning about the real-life complexities of serving individuals who face addiction and those who are impacted by loved ones in such situations.
CLIN680 Psychopharmacology: This class introduces the biological foundations of behavior and provides an overview of commonly prescribed medications, including their indications and contraindications. Counselors work alongside psychiatrists and other prescribers, so a solid understanding of psychopharmacology helps with making referrals and recognizing medication side effects.
The year 2025 also holds two other key markers on my path to licensure: Residency II in the spring and Practicum in the fall. Although the fall start date feels distant, the search for Practicum sites starts now. I am currently reaching out to potential locations and will soon begin the application process. I hope to land somewhere that provides strong supervision, so I can refine my skills as much as possible and not just meet a requirement.
As I settle into this new quarter, I am grateful for the progress made so far and excited for everything ahead, including reuniting with my cohort. Our shared experiences and support have built a welcoming community that continues to shape my development as a future therapist. Balancing coursework, completing CBT training, and preparing for Practicum will keep me busy, but there is a sense of momentum that energizes me. Thanks for following along.
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I will see you next week!
Roque Neto 
[…] my sixth quarter in the Counseling program winds down, I am reflecting on the experiences and insights that have shaped these past few months. […]
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