To take a twist from Queen Elizabeth II, 2020 was our collective annus horribilis (terrible year). The Queen was referring to 1992, a year when three royal marriages imploded, a devastating fire at Windsor Castle and unfortunate headlines with Sarah Ferguson's new boyfriend and admiration for the Duchess of York's feet. But as the meme says, 2020 to 1992 said,…
C Customers bring an infinite range of presenting topics, personalities, life stories and challenges to the consultation. Fortunately, counselors also have an infinite number of tools to create therapeutic bonds, meet clients' needs, and help clients tell their stories. Consultants only need to flex their creative muscles to find approaches that can increase client confidence and speak to each person's…
In nearly four decades of practice, I have seen a number of attempts by various people to gain access to my customer records. Here are some of them. Two policemen showed up in my office asking for records on a former customer. They told me that the person was interested in a very serious crime and they were trying to…
During the challenging era of COVID-19, many young people experience the kind of isolation that can affect healthy social development. This is especially true for young people who were already struggling with significant psychological problems before the pandemic. Telemedicine group therapy, in which role play is used, offers a hopeful opportunity to promote individual growth in a group context. Stage…
Hope can see that there is light in spite of all darkness. – Desmond tutu [ NOTE: This is the first track in a COVID-19 recovery series] Without a doubt, 2020 was a challenging year. Many of us greeted the New Year with open arms in anticipation of better days. Out with the old and in with the new. The…
As a dual certified child life specialist and licensed professional advisor, the most common questions I get from parents and carers are: "What will I say to the children?" and "How am I going to tell the kids?" These questions arise when a new diagnosis, loss of pregnancy or a loved one, traumatic injury, or attempted suicide is made. Although…
J ames is a student in the first year of his master's degree in counseling. Usually very conscientious and enthusiastic, he has recently started leaving class without any explanation. Last week he missed all of his classes and didn't contact anyone to explain his absence. When his agent calls to express his concern, James says that his car recently broke…
COVID-19 has wreaked havoc in nearly every life, and I don't lose that individuals are profoundly feeling the cost of this pandemic. Too many people grieve for their loved ones, recover from their own illnesses, suffer from food and housing insecurity, and cope with depression, anxiety, and isolation. If we come to terms with a new presidential administration, we can…
Successful therapeutic relationships are built on trust and understanding so that counselors can hardly afford to have words and phrases "lost in translation". The cultural competence of the consultants is also of crucial importance, especially as the clients become more and more linguistically and culturally diverse. According to the 2019 American Community Survey conducted by the US Census Bureau in…
Sue Pressman, 69th President of ACA Being compassionate, listening to others, and showing empathy are hallmarks of people who bond and thrive in relationships, including those who are forged in the workplace. This month I want to focus on developing healthy relationships in the workplace. Before the coronavirus pandemic closed offices around the world, much of the work done in…