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Quieting the inner critic

Although there are differing definitions of self-esteem, most counseling clients would probably use the common cultural definition: a feeling of having respect for yourself and your abilities. Of course, defining self-esteem isn’t the same as understanding the important role it plays in emotional health. It’s a role that many clients may

Act your age

I sit up straight in my chair in the small office, nudging my glasses up the bridge of my nose and hoping my new client doesn’t realize we’re the same age. Yet her comfort level with these new surroundings appears seamless as she tucks her legs underneath her and explains

Game on: Technology as counseling tool?

When it comes to video games, the word “empathy” probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. Yet some video game designers have begun to stray from the pack, creating games with storylines that attempt to teach compassion or help the players manage their emotions. Designers of the

Counselors and conflicted parenting

Nine-year-old Austin is referred to counseling by his mother. She explains that he “hates his dad and never wants to see him again.” The behavior that brings Austin to counseling started occurring around the time his parents separated and has intensified as they approach the legal divorce stage of the

Processing the ‘whole’ with clients on the autism spectrum

For clinicians working with individuals who have an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a key component to any therapy (group or individual) is helping these clients see the “big picture” when it comes to social situations, academic assignments, the need to do daily chores at home, reacting to the size of

Multicultural counseling with the immigrant and refugee communities

“New word” is the empathic statement I find myself frequently using with my ninth-grade refugee group. As I attempt to explain what emotions are and as I ask each student how they are feeling today, I teach them a new word. That word being “mood.” When we discuss “stereotypes” and

Working with sexually abused children

Mateo (not his real name) sat on the floor in my office playroom. Each week in therapy, he routinely played with a small plastic doll and every time, without fail, he placed objects in the doll’s mouth. This day, however, he did something more aggressive. His eyes wide and his

The birth of the neuro-counselor?

Lori Russell-Chapin was a quarter of the way through her scheduled 40 sessions of therapy with a 22-year-old college graduate with Asperger’s syndrome whose social shortcomings — understanding cues, relating with others — were hampering his relationship with his girlfriend and his parents. As Russell-Chapin has done with hundreds of

Complications when working with sexually abused children

Working with children who have been sexually abused has taught me many things. While some children progress very quickly, I have learned to have patience with the children whose recovery comes more slowly. I’ve learned to be careful in taking notes, how to spot parents or guardians who are trying

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