Hope is a therapeutic goal, for our clients and for ourselves as practitioners. It enables us to envision a future where change is possible and motivates us to take steps toward that future. In therapy, fostering hope can help clients move beyond feelings of helplessness and engage actively in their healing processes.
Tag: #mentalhealth
An Interview with Dr. Donna Sheperis: Insights from a Leader in Counseling
In this interview, Dr. Sheperis shares valuable insights into her professional journey, from the evolution of her theoretical orientation to the mentors who profoundly impacted her approach to counseling. She reflects on the importance of stepping out of one’s comfort zone, embracing feedback from diverse perspectives, and the critical role of mentorship for counselors-in-training.
Election Anxiety: Stress, Hope, and Self-Care
Many are channeling their stress into action, with 51% feeling more compelled to volunteer or support causes they care about. I also feel hope, which is deeply connected to the democratic process of having our voices heard through the ballot box.
Exploring CBT as My First Theoretical Orientation
This experience was one of those moments when I started to take more seriously the possibility of becoming a counselor. Later, after enrolling in the program, reflecting on it also informed my decision to focus on CBT first as I develop my theoretical orientation.
Internal Pressure: How Performance Culture Fuels Depression
As a counseling student, I often think about how societal changes, especially around our professional lives, shape our mental health. One of the most noticeable shifts is from a society rooted in strict rules and prohibitions before the Industrial Revolution to our current performance-driven culture. This change has dramatically affected the way we experience and… Continue reading Internal Pressure: How Performance Culture Fuels Depression
Guest Post: My PAU Journey by Edelysse Lopez
When I was accepted into PAU, a new fire ignited inside of me. I was ready to become a student again, eager to learn and experience such a special program that was the perfect fit for me.
Living for Today: The Trap of the Idealized Past
This “rosy retrospection” leads us to remember past events more favorably than they truly were, often overlooking the reasons we moved on. We might romanticize places we once lived, forgetting that we left them seeking better opportunities or personal growth. Similarly, we may yearn for old friendships that have faded, not acknowledging that some relationships ended for valid reasons.
Living for Today: The Trap of the Perfect Tomorrow
Like it was for my father, for many of us, the big moment, the special turning point we have been waiting for, may never arrive. The idea that everything will align just right and we will reach that idealized life can be an illusion.
Starting Year Two in the Counseling Program
Group Counseling has been on my radar since the beginning of the program. My personal experience with group counseling many years ago was eye-opening and incredibly valuable for my growth, so I have been curious to learn what it takes to become a skilled group counselor.
The Challenges of Making New Friends in Midlife
As we age, we prioritize emotional stability and comfort. I don’t know about you, but after a long day or week of work, I enjoy the ease of my backyard and the series I want to catch up on. However, this can make us less inclined to disrupt our well-established routines to make room for new friendships.
Roque Neto 