How and when to “break up” with your therapist by Christine Ridley, LCSW | Feb 15, 2023 | Beginning Therapy, Communication, Mental Health Topics Therapists and clients have a professional relationship that’s built on mutual trust and respect. When someone attends therapy sessions, they work alongside their therapist to make improvements to their mental health. But sometimes, a client might feel like their therapist just doesn’t understand them, isn’t easy to talk to, or…
Teen counseling: A comprehensive guide by Jason Crosby | Dec 9, 2022 | Beginning Therapy, Children, Teens, & Adolescents, Mental Health Topics Teen counseling is a form of therapy that helps adolescents deal with tough emotions and situations, mental health conditions, trauma, or concerns related to future, present, or past experiences. Teen counseling is designed to address and treat the specific needs of clients who are going through adolescence, an important developmental…
Marriage and family therapy: A comprehensive guide by Taylor Bennett | Nov 22, 2022 | Beginning Therapy, Mental Health Topics, Relationships Every person has challenges. As does every couple and every family. Together, that’s a lot of challenges! Which is why marriage and family therapy exists. Licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs) are mental health professionals who are trained in psychotherapy and family systems. They’re able to help people through the…
Adult ADHD treatment: Medication, therapy options, lifestyle adjustments, and dietary changes by Jason Crosby | Nov 17, 2022 | ADHD, Beginning Therapy, Medication, Mental Health Topics People of all ages can have ADHD, but specific treatment options apply to each age group. For adults, the medications, therapies, and lifestyle adjustments will be different than for adolescents or children. Like other mental health conditions, treatment options will be adapted to fit the needs of the individual. Some…
In-person counseling vs. online counseling: What’s the difference? Which is right for me? by Taylor Bennett | Sep 26, 2022 | Beginning Therapy, Mental Health Topics Maybe you’re going through a really rough breakup. Or you’ve just moved to a new city and you’re feeling extremely lonely. Or nothing out of the ordinary has happened, but you aren’t all that happy, and you want to do something about it. In all these circumstances, a viable solution…
Diversity and representation in counseling: Improving access to mental health care with a diverse clinical team by Taylor Bennett | May 6, 2022 | Beginning Therapy, Mental Health Topics, Race & Identity Think back to a time when you were “online shopping” for a new health care provider — be it a counselor, a primary care doctor, or a specialist. What did you look for? Who did you gravitate toward? Who did you trust? You likely perused their education, years of experience,…
Virtual reality therapy: Could mental health ‘avatars’ be the future of telehealth services? by Jason Crosby | Apr 21, 2022 | Beginning Therapy, Mental Health Topics Virtual reality has been the brainchild of science fiction for decades, and it seems as though it’s finally arrived. Projects such as the metaverse have stoked excitement, confusion, and even fear. We’ve never lived in a virtual world before, but the technology to make it happen is already in the…
What is geek therapy? What are its benefits? by Wistar Murray | Apr 1, 2022 | Beginning Therapy, Mental Health Topics Geek therapy is a mental health intervention that incorporates so-called nerd culture into the therapeutic process. It’s a method that mental health professionals can utilize to reach clients who are interested in anime, gaming, comics, and other traditionally “nerdy” pursuits. Geek therapy operates on the principle of affinity, meaning that…
Empathic responding (or active listening) in counseling: A basic, yet essential response for counselors to master in their practice by Taylor Bennett | Feb 28, 2022 | Beginning Therapy, Mental Health Topics Have you ever wondered what makes for a positive therapist-client relationship and an overall successful therapy journey? Maybe you’re a past/present therapy client who wants to better understand how this process works. Maybe you’re considering therapy and you’re hoping for some insight that’ll help you start believing in the journey….
7 professional tips to help you prepare for your first counseling session by Taylor Bennett | Feb 1, 2022 | Beginning Therapy, Mental Health Topics Are you feeling nervous about starting therapy or counseling? If so, don’t worry. It’s totally normal to feel a little nervous. That said, you can take some proactive steps to prepare for your first therapy session. These tips will help to lessen those nerves and also help make for a…
What family constellation therapy can reveal about intergenerational trauma (and Abuela in “Encanto”) by Wistar Murray | Jan 28, 2022 | Beginning Therapy, Family, Mental Health Topics, Trauma Family constellation therapy (FCT) is a way of helping individuals heal from family trauma and suffering that’s been passed down unconsciously through generations of their bloodline. Constellation work explores these intergenerational dynamics through body, mind, and spirit. The therapeutic approach is rooted in psychoanalytic thought as well as family systems…
Music therapy: How the “Encanto” soundtrack and other forms of music can help us to process our emotions by Jason Crosby | Jan 27, 2022 | Beginning Therapy, Feelings & Emotions, Mental Health Topics Nothing else has the ability to power us through our workouts and make awkward elevator rides a little bit more bearable. That’s right; it’s hard to imagine a world without music. It’s probably an understatement to say that music is taken for granted; we don’t always recognize the mental sway…