Since the onset of COVID-19, I've found through working with clients on telemedicine that people's trust in social media as a means of connecting with others has increased. While this engagement can be useful and necessary during the pandemic, it does not provide an opportunity for us to connect on a more meaningful level. Even more worrying is how this…
In 2018, I published an article in Counseling Today on Member Insights called "The hurtful counselor". I received more feedback on this article than anything else I have ever written, and it became the most viewed article published on CT Online at any point in 2018. Almost all of the responses I received were comments on how counselors were (just…
Those of us who are professional counselors are probably most likely to recognize psychedelics by their leisure or street names – acid, magic mushrooms, ecstasy – and view them as drugs of abuse that can be dangerous to our clients. This is, in fact, the narrative that has been passed since the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) of 1970. All psychedelics…
C ignoramuses in the quiet university town of Charlottesville, Virginia noticed that some of their customers were concerned about their safety. As winter 2017 turned to spring, demonstrations and counter-protests at local civil war memorials had become heated and confrontational. Now, in early summer, it became known in the street that a large demonstration was planned per statue, possibly involving…
"Just because a man lacks the use of his eyes doesn't mean he lacks sight." – Stevie Wonder Sue Pressman, 69th President of ACA As advisors to we have the privilege of working with people of different backgrounds and skills. With that in mind, I'd like to announce that this year we're celebrating both the 75th celebration of National Disability…
Richard Yep, CEO of ACA H ow many more? You can fill in the blank yourself. How many people will die at the hands (or knees) of law enforcement officers? How many more cases of coronavirus are registered in the US? How many other cities will be the scene of unrest and protests against an unjust system? How many more…
Some careers offer a limited number of paths and opportunities after a person graduates. The good news is that counseling isn't one of those careers. Consultants can work in agencies, community health centers, or hospitals. You can start a private practice. You can run a clinic. You can work in or with schools. You can teach or do consultancy work.…
Counselors work hard to help children and families navigate the unfamiliar areas introduced by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many children, especially those already coping with stressful situations, have seen an increase in anxiety this year due to the pandemic, the spotlight on racial injustices and the resulting conflict, and the various related challenges that 2020 has brought . In this article…
"School counselor" is a deceptively simple title. In reality, school counselors play many roles including a social and emotional educator, academic advisor, conflict mediator, wellness coach, psychotherapist, student champion, educational worker, and family member. With the emergence of the pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus, many school advisors have become connectors and comforters – not only for students, but also…
When a user opens Facebook, Twitter, or many other social media platforms, there is a slight delay before an icon flashes to indicate that the person has a notification signaling that someone has made one of the user's posts liked or interacted with him. That moment of delay was intentionally incorporated into social media apps to create a seductive cycle…