I think society sends the message that burning yourself out is almost like a badge of honor and I don’t think we’re built to sustain that level of stress. I think it’s important too that counselors remember that you get to define what self care looks like for you (big or small).
Blog
The Ethics of Attention
A person incapable of sustained attention cannot truly encounter another person. To them, the afflicted become abstractions. The poor become statistics. The refugee becomes a political argument. The dead schoolchildren become one image among countless others, possessing no greater claim upon us than entertainment.
One More Gift from PAU
Last week, I wrote about some of the gifts that Palo Alto University (PAU) gave me during my three years as a student: community, advocacy, and confidence. However, there was one more gift waiting for me.
What Palo Alto University Gave Me
The diploma I will receive in a few days is a symbol of everything I have accomplished over the past three years. I will frame it and hang it in my office. But the guidance and sense of connection I found along the way cannot be framed. They are woven into who I am and who I am becoming. They are part of me.
What Helped Me Complete 600 Internship Hours While Working Full-Time
The more you understand the rules, the easier it becomes to maximize opportunities for earning hours. In addition to reading all available resources, do not hesitate to ask questions of your internship faculty and supervisors. Knowledge is power and allows you to develop a clear plan of action.
A Letter to Future Trainees
You are not expected to begin this journey as a finished professional. You are simply being asked to begin.
This Blog Was Never Just About School
I wondered whether crossing the graduation stage would naturally signal the end of this space. Would there still be something meaningful to say once the structure of classes, assignments, internship hours, and academic quarters came to an end? Well, that stage has now arrived.
Exhaustion in the Final Stretch
It was more than physical fatigue. It was the kind of exhaustion that comes from sustaining a very full schedule for a long period without much room to pause.
A Call to Support Mental Health
The need for mental health services continues to grow, while funding remains limited. Community support helps close that gap. A donation of any size can make a difference. It helps ensure that someone who is struggling can access care.
One Answer, Many Still Unfolding
Arriving at that decision has brought a sense of steadiness during a time that could easily feel uncertain. There are many reasons behind it, but the most meaningful is the level of support I have experienced there. From supervisors to staff to fellow clinicians, I have felt guided, encouraged, and challenged in ways that support growth.
Roque Neto 