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.”
Blog
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...
Crossing the Threshold: Practicum Is Here!
Now that it is here, I can feel just how important it is. It represents the official beginning of my work as a counselor, yet it is also a continuation of what I have been doing all along: learning, discovering more about myself, and relying on the support of my peers and faculty.
Between Quarters
Over the next few weeks, I will take a short break from the blog to prepare for practicum and to line up some exciting interviews for the upcoming quarter. I cannot wait to share those conversations with you!
Affirming Immigrant and International Clients in Therapy
An affirming stance allows us to ask more questions before making assumptions and to see our clients more clearly within the full context of their lives, rather than as a code to be found in the DSM.
Roque Neto 