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.
Tag: #mentalhealth
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Roque Neto 