As coursework deepens and clinical work continues to unfold, I will once again be intentional about where I place my attention. Rather than rushing posts or writing from the margins of my attention, I have decided to take a brief pause from the blog.
Blog
Winter Quarter: The Final Stretch Begins
One especially exciting aspect of this course is who will be teaching it. Research and Program Evaluation will be co-taught by two professors who taught us early in the program. Full-time faculty rarely co-teach due to their workload, but my cohort asked anyway. To our delight, they said yes.
The “Heart” Work of Becoming a Counselor
As we grow into the role of counselor, we learn to notice where we become anxious, where we want to rescue, where we shut down, and where our own unresolved experiences show up. This kind of learning is rarely linear, and it cannot be captured through an APA-formatted paper.
When “Merry” Feels Mandatory
On the outside, there is performative cheer. On the inside, there may be grief, fear, anger, or exhaustion. Holding these two realities at the same time can be draining. People may feel guilty for not feeling grateful enough or ashamed that they cannot simply “get into the spirit.”
Interview: Lili Niclas
I hope to become a counselor who embodies empathy and cultural humility while helping clients feel empowered to make positive changes in their lives and develop a stronger sense of self-awareness. I believe we all have an inner compass that guides us in life when we are connected to it.
Stepping Into the Therapy Room: What Practicum Taught Me
Practicum taught me to trust the foundation I have built while remaining open to growth. Competence in the therapy room, I am learning, is about showing up with confidence, humility, and genuine presence.
Learning to Learn Differently
Learning isn’t static. It changes as we change. Earlier in the program, I needed structure and theory. Now, I need guidance that connects directly to the work I am doing in real time. I am also noticing that being a student feels different when the finish line is finally in sight.
What Practicum Is All About
At its core, Practicum is about taking everything we have learned and putting it into practice to support clients. Each session requires drawing on the foundational theories, skills, and interventions we have studied, but also learning how to adapt them to each individual client’s needs.
Interview: Catching Up with Brandi Williams
It didn’t take long for me to decide to seek out my own counseling again and look inside so I can show up better for my clients. In the beginning, I thought I just need to educate myself and build a network of contacts and resources, but that’s the easy part.
Interview: Dr. Alisha Guthery
Again and again, I remind myself to stay rooted there: in my heart, in my body. This, to me, is where education should lean more strongly—less on outcomes, and more on teaching presence, empathy, and connection. This is the essence of our humanity...
Roque Neto 