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.
Tag: #TherapistInTraining
Making New Friends in My 40s
Maintaining social connections has tangible health benefits, including a positive impact on physical health. Research suggests that people with strong social networks tend to live longer, healthier lives. By making new friends, I am reducing my risk of social isolation, which is linked to various health issues, including depression and cardiovascular problems.
A Year in Review: My Favorite Blog Posts So Far
Last week, I shared a reflection on my first year in the counseling program. Today, I would like to highlight my favorite blog posts.
Reflections on My First Year in a Counseling Program
Counseling is about understanding others and about understanding myself. In this sense, the first year of the program brought some emotional moments. Exploring personal history, examining biases, and confronting uncomfortable truths about myself were integral parts of the training. This process, while not always easy, has helped me grow.
Sitting With Discomfort as a Counselor in Training
This ability to sit with discomfort rather than rush to solve problems for clients fosters a more supportive environment where clients feel heard and validated in their experiences. It encourages clients to explore their own issues and find their own solutions, promoting self-efficacy and resilience.
Coping with Eco-Anxiety: A Counseling Student’s Reflection
I hope that we can see eco-anxiety as a reflection of the impact we have on our planet and a call for collective action, not just a disorder waiting for a diagnosis, prescription, or treatment plan. As professionals called to advocate for our clients, we cannot become numb to the destruction of the environment and the pain it causes.
Gearing Up for My Fourth Quarter in the Counseling Program
The skills and values I will develop and/or reinforce through these courses will be invaluable to my future profession. By learning to design and implement effective outreach programs and interventions, I will be better prepared to ensure that those most in need have access to quality mental health care.
How Lifestyle Choices Shape Our Physical and Mental Health
As a future counselor, I want to adopt a holistic perspective when working with clients. Mental health issues, for instance, can be exacerbated by poor nutrition and an over-reliance on medications, which often bring a host of side effects without addressing the underlying causes.
Beyond Defeat: Embracing Cognitive Restructuring and Self-Compassion
Learning from our mistakes can be even more powerful if we keep in mind what moves us ahead: our core values. Reflecting on these principles helps guide our actions, especially in moments of pain and disorientation. Ethical reflection can ensure that our responses are grounded in integrity and purpose.
My Third Quarter in the Counseling Program
This quarter has given me a roadmap for growth, highlighting areas where I need to expand my comfort zone and deepen my knowledge. The responsibilities of a future counselor can be challenging sometimes, but they are also fulfilling. Counseling is a journey of lifelong learning, and I am grateful for the opportunity...
Roque Neto 