Tag: reflection

Working with teens is very eye opening and for me it is incredibly rewarding. Teens bring so much intelligence and youthful spirit into my every day counseling experience. When teens come into the practice, they are usually coming in to please their parents because their parents want their teen to either behave differently or work on an issue that is causing conflict. On top of this, the teen often does not even know why they are acting in the way that they are. That is why the form of therapy I use with teens is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. This form of therapy focuses on why a specific behavior is happening and what is happening in the brain that creates this reaction/response/behavior.

            When a reaction/response/behavior is happening there is a process that has occurred that has created this response. This starts with an event. An event happens that triggers cer ...

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People have various expectations for counseling. Sometimes they expect that after a couple of sessions their problems will be solved. Other times, they refuse to start counseling because they have been told to “suck it up” and “deal with it” when thinking about their struggles in life.

 

Even though counseling has been more widely accepted, we often still imagine it as it is on TV. You come in, lay down on a couch, and start talking about your problems. Meanwhile, the therapist sits there with clipboard in hand, nodding their head, and asking "how do you feel about that”? I often think of that scene from Freaky Friday where Anna has switched places with her mother, who is a shrink, and when she goes to mom’s work in her place, Anna is only supposed to ask, “And how does that make you feel?”. Now, don’t get me wrong, therapists DO ask that question…but that is not all we ask.

 

There are ...

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Self-care is a term that has hit the mainstream culture. Many of us have heard the term, but don’t know what it’s all about. It’s important to know what self-care is and what it’s not.

 

Self-Care is NOT being selfish. It’s taking care of your basic needs. In fact, we aren’t at our best to care for others when our needs aren’t being met. Think of pouring from an empty cup, there is nothing to be poured out. When we fill our cup, only then can we effectively care for others.

 

Self-Care is NOT a one-size fits all approach. One person may need to increase their personal hygiene as a way of caring. Another person may need to take a walk, meet a friend, pray or invest in better sleep.

 

Self-Care IS an intentional act or investment that meets a personal need.

Self-Care IS a customized way to recharge and refocus.

Self-Care IS habit-based. If your habits a ...

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