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.
Category: Counseling Studies
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.
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!
What It Means to Be an LGBTQIA-Affirming Therapist
Calling myself an LGBTQIA-affirming therapist keeps me grounded. It reminds me why I chose this work in the first place. It helps me push back on any internalized shame I have carried and gives me purpose in creating space for others to do the same.
Practicing Systems Thinking in Family Therapy
Viewing families from a systemic perspective makes clear that a presenting issue is rarely just about the person in front of you. Anxiety, conflict avoidance, and loyalty often reveal how people are linked, how they balance closeness and distance, and how emotional patterns travel across relationships.
We Need to Talk… About Sex
Counselors have the obligation to create a safe environment where clients feel comfortable raising questions about their sexual well-being, just as they do about work stress or family conflict. We are called to honor sexual health as an essential part of overall growth and healing.
Summer Quarter: Family Systems and Sexuality in Counseling
These two courses will strengthen my readiness for the next phase of training. But more than a bridge to practicum, this quarter represents an opportunity to broaden my perspective and honor my commitment to becoming a responsive and well-informed, and open counselor.
Serving with Purpose: How I Chose My Practicum Sites
The most important factor I looked for was alignment, particularly in the services provided and the populations served. I want to make sure that my practicum experience is shaped by purposeful service, rather than simply collecting hours toward graduation. I also took into account practicalities...
Roque Neto 