The holidays can be a tough time. Some of us are adapting to losses, many of us experience an interruption in our routines, and there are often increased family interactions and obligations. If you have a history of relational trauma, the holidays may be triggering. This can lead to increased burnout or fatigue. Burnout is … Continue reading Caring for yourself through the holidays
Category: Coping
I believe that counseling (or any therapeutic intervention) should be intentional. Having a treatment plan in place is, after all, required by the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council for Licensed Professional Counselors. I tell my clients that it is never their job to have “material” for the session. It is not their job to come … Continue reading The Compassionate Witness
Self-harm is complicated and difficult to understand. If you have not read Understanding Self Harm, I recommend reading it first. This blog is written for those who aim to love hurting people. It is for the individuals who have witnessed the suffering of self-harm in their child, friend, or family member. It is for those … Continue reading Responding to Self-Harm
Self-harm is intentional, non-suicidal injury to one’s body. It is common—as many as 1 in 3 adolescents report they have self-harmed at some point. Self-harm can be scary and difficult to understand. I hope to contribute to greater understanding of self-harm and provide a starting point for intervention. Like most of my blogs, this is … Continue reading Understanding Self-Harm
We have all seen a movie in which the protagonist experiences a life-changing epiphany and their course is suddenly changed for the better. Sometimes it’s a moment of disclosure, finally getting it “all out”. And while I think moments of insight and disclosure can be powerful, they represent only one aspect of the therapeutic experience. … Continue reading Staging Treatment in Complex Trauma
Amarillo Professional Counseling and Consultation 