Service is not something to postpone until after graduation. It is something to live out now. Like education, counseling is a shared endeavor. We move forward by supporting one another, and I want to do my part to contribute to the growth and integrity of the field.
Category: Counseling Studies
Insights from Spring Quarter
In Child and Adolescent Counseling, I was introduced to play therapy and its potential for working with children. Although our exposure was introductory, it offered valuable insights. One assignment involved leading a 30-minute play session with a child, and the experience was truly eye-opening.
Interview: Dr. Regina Moro
Dr. Regina Moro wears many hats at Palo Alto University, and I have had the privilege of seeing several of them up close.
Trauma, Responsibility, and the Work of Showing Up
Domestic violence, for example, is not always overt. It can manifest in subtle yet damaging ways that erode a person’s sense of safety, agency, and worth. As we study these dynamics, I find myself reflecting on the broader societal context in which such violence persists.
What Residency II Taught Me About Counseling and Community
This was not part of the official schedule, and it was clear she was doing it simply because she cared. What followed was one of the most memorable experiences of the week. As I watched her work, I saw a therapist who was fully attuned to her client, so much so that I momentarily forgot it was a demonstration.
Looking Ahead to Residency II: Practice, Presence, and Peers
I am excited to be in the same room again with my cohort. After so much time spent learning virtually, there is something powerful about gathering in person, sharing space, and building community. These are the people who have supported and challenged me since day one.
My Case for Representation in Counseling Textbooks
These textbooks were designed to prepare counselors with privileged identities to work with clients like me. What they didn’t consider is that graduate students from diverse backgrounds would also be reading them, and that we, too, need training on how to work with clients who hold privileged identities.
Spring Quarter Begins: Residency II, Crisis Counseling, and the Road to Internship
The highlight of this quarter is Residency II, an immersive in-person experience designed to sharpen our counseling skills through intensive practice and direct feedback from faculty and peers. I am looking forward to reconnecting with my cohort, strengthening our relationships, and collaboratively deepening our competencies.
What My Zumba Instructor Taught Me About Being a Therapist
That is what I hope to bring to my clients: a sense that no matter what they reveal, no matter how chaotic things may feel, I am right there with them. I want to be the therapist who knows the “dance” well enough to improvise when needed.
Understanding Recovery and Medications
One of the most impactful moments this quarter came from attending an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting for my Addiction Counseling class. It was my first time experiencing one, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. I chose a meeting focused on the LGBTQIA+ community, and what stood out to me most was the deep sense of welcome and connection in the room.
Roque Neto 