Hokey, coo coo, and hippy. These are all words that I have heard used to describe some treatment models for mental health. I understand, it's not the traditional "diagnose and medicate" ways of western medicine. For those of us who have no exposure to medical systems outside western culture it sounds...odd. But, what if they … Continue reading The Limitations of Western Medicine in Treating Mental Health Disorders
Happy vs Content…Why Routine May Be Hard For You
Funk. Blah. Sad. Depressed. Zombie. Going though the motions. These are all ways I have heard my clients describe this feeling. This place where they feel stuck. They often report desiring to move someplace new, travel, or otherwise get away. They desire freedom, new places, new people, and new situations. Existential questions of "who am … Continue reading Happy vs Content…Why Routine May Be Hard For You
Trauma and PTSD: the 3 levels of psychotherapy treatment
In graduate school, I often thought to myself "I'm not interested in working with people who have trauma, addictions, eating disorders, or anything else along those lines." At the time, I found those particular issues interesting, but it was not my main area of passion. You see, passion is big for me. Growing up, I … Continue reading Trauma and PTSD: the 3 levels of psychotherapy treatment
What Lies Beneath “I’m not good enough”
It's that familiar thought, feeling, and gut wrenching experience. That "I'm not good enough" experience. It's when a teacher humiliates you in front of the whole class. When every one else makes progress and you aren't. When you feel criticized, isolated, unimportant, and flawed. Some people call this shame. Some call it "bullshit." I call … Continue reading What Lies Beneath “I’m not good enough”
Counselor Advocacy: What They Did Not Teach in Grad School
I was always told that it is absolutely impossible to learn everything you need to learn to be able to effectively help other's in the two years (sometimes three years) of graduate school. I understood this. There is much talk on continuing education and how not only are you required to have this to renew … Continue reading Counselor Advocacy: What They Did Not Teach in Grad School
Pros and Cons of Being a Mental Health Counselor
Aquestion I often get is "what made you go into your field?" I also get questions similar to this from the students I see in counseling at my local university who are interested in the field. Then, there is the random comments I get from people after I tell them what I do for a … Continue reading Pros and Cons of Being a Mental Health Counselor
Redefining Vulnerability
Vulnerability. It's a word that is often met with fear, uncertainty, and distance. Once someone mentions the word, or someone feels it, they start to distance themselves. Why? Because when someone feels vulnerable, they feel weak, unsure, hesitant, fearful, and doubtful. In short--they feel like a glass house with gigantic cannons blasting cannonballs at them, … Continue reading Redefining Vulnerability
20’s: The In-Between phase
The closer I get to my 30's, and the more I counsel college students, the more I realize that your 20's can be summed up as an awkward, uncomfortable, in between phase. It's funny. Growing up I always thought that once you were in your 20's you had "arrived" at being an adult. I mean, … Continue reading 20’s: The In-Between phase
A Call for Better Recognizing Trauma
Traumatic events can be caused by a singular occasion, or a form of ongoing, relentless stresses. An event is more prone to leave an individual with longer-lasting emotional and psychological trauma if: The individual was unprepared for the eventThe event occurred out of the blueThe person felt powerless to prevent the event or felt powerless … Continue reading A Call for Better Recognizing Trauma
It’s Been Five Years Since My Last Abusive Relationship…and Shame Is Still A Thing
Disclosure: this article is written from the perspective of a female victim. I am not insinuating that men are not abused. Disclosure: this is written from my personal reflections, this is not based on research. Here I am. Your friendly neighborhood mental health counselor. Writing another personal blog. Yes...I am stalling. Okay. Now that I've … Continue reading It’s Been Five Years Since My Last Abusive Relationship…and Shame Is Still A Thing
the daring 