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.”
Tag: #mentalhealth
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.
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.
Roque Neto 