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.
Tag: #mentalhealth
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.
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...
Finding Purpose Through Service
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.
Roque Neto 