Diversity and representation in counseling: Improving access to mental health care with a diverse clinical team by Taylor Bennett | May 6, 2022 | Beginning Therapy, Mental Health Topics, Race & Identity Think back to a time when you were “online shopping” for a new health care provider — be it a counselor, a primary care doctor, or a specialist. What did you look for? Who did you gravitate toward? Who did you trust? You likely perused their education, years of experience,…
Virtual reality therapy: Could mental health ‘avatars’ be the future of telehealth services? by Jason Crosby | Apr 21, 2022 | Beginning Therapy, Mental Health Topics Virtual reality has been the brainchild of science fiction for decades, and it seems as though it’s finally arrived. Projects such as the metaverse have stoked excitement, confusion, and even fear. We’ve never lived in a virtual world before, but the technology to make it happen is already in the…
What is geek therapy? What are its benefits? by Wistar Murray | Apr 1, 2022 | Beginning Therapy, Mental Health Topics Geek therapy is a mental health intervention that incorporates so-called nerd culture into the therapeutic process. It’s a method that mental health professionals can utilize to reach clients who are interested in anime, gaming, comics, and other traditionally “nerdy” pursuits. Geek therapy operates on the principle of affinity, meaning that…
Empathic responding (or active listening) in counseling: A basic, yet essential response for counselors to master in their practice by Taylor Bennett | Feb 28, 2022 | Beginning Therapy, Mental Health Topics Have you ever wondered what makes for a positive therapist-client relationship and an overall successful therapy journey? Maybe you’re a past/present therapy client who wants to better understand how this process works. Maybe you’re considering therapy and you’re hoping for some insight that’ll help you start believing in the journey….
7 professional tips to help you prepare for your first counseling session by Taylor Bennett | Feb 1, 2022 | Beginning Therapy, Mental Health Topics Are you feeling nervous about starting therapy or counseling? If so, don’t worry. It’s totally normal to feel a little nervous. That said, you can take some proactive steps to prepare for your first therapy session. These tips will help to lessen those nerves and also help make for a…
What family constellation therapy can reveal about intergenerational trauma (and Abuela in “Encanto”) by Wistar Murray | Jan 28, 2022 | Beginning Therapy, Family, Mental Health Topics, Trauma Family constellation therapy (FCT) is a way of helping individuals heal from family trauma and suffering that’s been passed down unconsciously through generations of their bloodline. Constellation work explores these intergenerational dynamics through body, mind, and spirit. The therapeutic approach is rooted in psychoanalytic thought as well as family systems…
Music therapy: How the “Encanto” soundtrack and other forms of music can help us to process our emotions by Jason Crosby | Jan 27, 2022 | Beginning Therapy, Feelings & Emotions, Mental Health Topics Nothing else has the ability to power us through our workouts and make awkward elevator rides a little bit more bearable. That’s right; it’s hard to imagine a world without music. It’s probably an understatement to say that music is taken for granted; we don’t always recognize the mental sway…
A comprehensive guide to family therapy: Different approaches, how it can help, and when to schedule a session by Wistar Murray | Dec 13, 2021 | Beginning Therapy, Family, Mental Health Topics Family bonds are rich, complex, profound – and sometimes painful. Family can both build us up and break us down. But in its ideal state, a family is the crucible in which we can become our best and truest selves. That’s where family therapy can help. Licensed family therapists at…
Let’s hear it for the forest state of mind: Nature therapy and forest medicine by Wistar Murray | Oct 5, 2021 | Beginning Therapy, Mental Health Topics, Self-Care You’ve probably heard about forest medicine, how spending time in the woods can lower your stress levels, improve your mood, bolster your immune system, and perhaps literally recharge your body (when you’re barefoot). It all seems so obvious, considering that homo sapiens evolved in tandem with their ecosystem. But if…
How can therapy help people overcome PTSD? by Stanley Clark | Oct 4, 2021 | Beginning Therapy, Mental Health Topics, PTSD People who have gone through traumatic events may experience some mental and emotional disturbances. They may not be able to perceive things positively and live life as they did before. There might be flashbacks, anxieties, and fears that may continue to affect their ability to function daily, which are common…
Friendship therapy: A professional can help friends improve and maintain their bond by Wistar Murray | Sep 2, 2021 | Beginning Therapy, Mental Health Topics, Relationships Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King are in their 60s now, but they first became friends in their 20s, when they were both single women in TV broadcasting. This means that for over 40 years they have stuck together through marriages, children, divorce, and career ups and downs. Their BFF status…
The Gottman method: How does it work? How can it benefit my relationship? by Helen Massy | Oct 9, 2020 | Beginning Therapy, Mental Health Topics, Relationships Every relationship runs into conflict: Sometimes we’re able to work through these conflicts quickly and effectively, but in some instances, we struggle to find that common ground. When conflicts are left unresolved, this can prove extremely stressful and have many negative effects on the relationship. External influences can also have…