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
Category: counseling
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
Trauma therapy is difficult and complex. Generally, trauma therapy takes place in 3 stages—stabilization and resourcing, memory work, and grief work coupled with the practice of new behaviors. Each stage likely involves multiple interventions and approaches. It is not fast work. When I talk to people about trauma work, they often have some awareness of … Continue reading Trauma Related Grief
Counseling is a unique experience. It is vulnerable, raw, excruciating, and profound. The therapeutic relationship is unique and unlike any other relationship. The therapeutic relationship can be difficult to understand but it is one of most important factors that influences the outcome of therapy. Because the therapeutic relationship is so unique, and perhaps mysterious, it … Continue reading Why can’t we be friends?
Amarillo Professional Counseling and Consultation 