Self-harm behaviors in American youth rose sharply during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic and continue to be a concern among counselors who work with children and adolescents. In early 2021, FAIR Health completed an in-depth analysis of insurance claim records to compare changes between 2019 and 2020. The New
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4 steps to refresh, recharge and reconnect
If you are anything like me, you find being a counselor very enjoyable and fulfilling. We regularly make positive impacts on the lives of people we serve, and we’re committed to help them heal and grow. However, this endeavor can be emotionally demanding and challenging. We hold space for successes,
Tips to navigate workload and prevent burnout
The COVID-19 pandemic has left few sectors untouched when it comes to burnout. With an ever-increasing need for sector-specific crisis measures to mitigate some of the stressors faced by workers globally, society finds itself in midst of a burnout epidemic. The biggest issue we face collectively is that burning out
Resisting a savior mentality
When I first began counseling as a teenager, I often did not connect with the clinicians sitting in front of me. They lectured me. They told me what I could and could not do. They told what I should and should not feel. Needless to say, that approach was not
Treating depression by focusing on solutions and acceptance
Depression is a common mental health disorder and affects people from every walk of life, regardless of their age, race, ethnicity or socioeconomic background. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, approximately “21 million adults in the United States — 8.4% of the population — had at least one
A beginner’s guide to alexithymia
Alexithymia is a complex, subclinical phenomenon characterized by cognitive-affective functioning impairments that can affect as many as 10% of the general population. Typically, individuals with alexithymia struggle to recognize, identify and describe their feelings. This often includes trouble discerning between emotions and physiological sensations. Because alexithymia is a known risk
Are counselors ready for the metaverse?
I am going to be completely honest with you. I have never had Facebook or any social media for that matter. I’m aware that may hurt my credibility, but I never really got into any of it. I wanted to avoid having that conversation with students and clients about why
Incorporating clients’ faith in counseling
A South Asian Muslim woman in her 20s lives at home with her Muslim family and has been struggling in her relationship with her parents. She feels they interfere with her ability to make decisions for herself and treat her like a child. The woman decides to go to therapy.
De-escalating conflict between parents and teens
It’s natural for adolescent development and parent-child conflict to go hand in hand. Le’Ann Solmonson, a licensed professional counselor (LPC) who owns a private practice in Nacogdoches, Texas, has worked with children and adolescents in school and clinical settings throughout her career. Time and time again, she’s seen families fall
Taking a clinical selfie
“But first, let me take a selfie.” This phrase, which was first popularized in The Chainsmokers’ 2014 breakout hit song “#Selfie,” has become a common saying in today’s culture — and one that is sometimes used to satirize younger generations who can’t seem to experience something without documenting it with