Tag: intentional

            Whether we realize it or not, we use coping strategies everyday.  Some maybe as subtle as sleeping in to avoid the traffic or procrastinating on a project or term paper due (guilty) hoping it will just do it itself.  It is when our unhealthy habits become a problem with our normal daily routine is when we need a change.  Our skills, routine, or what we think is working needs to be looked at.  Is this beneficial for me, is this getting me where I want to be, am I seeing bad consequences from these decisions?  These are just some of the questions we need to ask ourselves if we aren’t where we want to be.  

            Coping skills, strategies, or techniques have a couple of common threads that can be applied to just about any disorder: anxiety, anger, alcohol abuse, or any other ...

A white Caucasian male in his mid-to-late thirties sits down for lunch in his mother’s kitchen. He slowly enjoys the sandwich he has made for himself, along with a handful of Sea Salt and Vinegar potato chips, (which for the sake of losing a few pounds) he knows he shouldn’t be eating. He has a set of headphones on, with which he is using to listen to his carefully constructed playlist on iTunes. To the left of his lunch sits his laptop, on which he is casually- and without much thought- working through his e-mails. He suddenly and unexpectedly receives an e-mail from his lawyer regarding his recent job-loss and the American’s with Disabilities Act and defamation lawsuit which ensued. He grows discouraged by what he is reading; and as he glances up, his eyes catch a hand of bananas. A flashback emanates, the likes of which he has never experienced. Before long his wife finds him blacked out on the kitchen floor, in a cold sweat, and hyperve ...

I recently read a blog written by a fellow counselor called “Dating your Therapist”. This title caught my attention and I was intrigued about what it meant as the boundaries between client and therapist are strictly professional and should never be blurred or broken. The blog went on to suggest that looking for a therapist that is a good fit is appropriate and good. As I read the blog, I realized I agree with the sentiment. Sometimes, to get the best possible outcome it may mean trying several therapists. Therapists each have their own philosophy of counseling, temperament, experiences, and training. My goal is to do my best to connect with each client and help them achieve their goals. Sometimes this may mean helping a client or potential client find a counselor who can meet their needs more effectively than I can. This is difficult to explain, I can only describe it as a feeling of connection and rapport. I went to a counselor many years ago. After ...