Black Americans often face increased risk of health and mental health conditions because of systemic and structural racism. For example, they are more likely to face discrimination in employment, schooling, housing and health care or to be exposed to and die from preventable or manageable illnesses (such as the COVID-19
Search “play therapy”
618 Results
Search Results
Behind the Book: Counselor Self-Care (2nd edition)
Since the first edition of Counselor Self-Care came out in 2018, we have experienced many new stressors, including the COVID-19 pandemic, social injustice and political polarization. These events have presented new challenges and highlighted the need for self-care even more. Gerald Corey, Michelle Muratori, Jude Austin and Julius Austin recently
Forming friendships as a neurodivergent adult
A common misconception about people who are neurodivergent is that they cannot or do not want to form friendships. Although some neurodivergent individuals may choose not to form many (or any) friendships, research now shows that neurodivergent people generally want friends; they just have trouble making them. “People who are
Legislative bills increase fear and trauma in transgender community
Fear, anger and anxiety — these are just some of the feelings Jessica Jarman’s transgender clients are dealing with right now. And for good reason. Thus far in 2023, nearly 500 anti-LGBTQ+ legislative bills have been introduced at the state level. This includes a bill introduced in Jarman’s state of South
Addressing intimate partner violence with LGBTQ+ clients
It has been a long-held belief that intimate partner violence (IPV) happens primarily in heterosexual relationships and that straight, cisgender women are most likely to be the victims of abuse. “Domestic violence theories have historically been gender based,” says Susan Holt, a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) and an
The mental toll of adult bullying
Adult bullying is a social and mental health issue. Regardless of the reasons why a person is targeted by a bully, research shows that its impact can be disastrous to a person’s health and well-being. According to a survey of 2,000 U.S. adults conducted by the Harris Poll on behalf
Conceptualizing diagnosis through a social justice lens
Arianna and her grandmother sit on opposite sides of the cramped counseling office with their arms crossed, looking away from each other. The tension in the room is palpable. You offer Arianna a glass of water, and after introducing yourself, you invite her to share what brought her into your
Working with adults who bully
Everyone can remember being bullied. Maybe someone teased you relentlessly about your name because it “sounded funny” or they made fun of your physical appearance. Maybe someone pushed you around in the schoolyard, gossiped about you behind your back or made sure you were never invited to a birthday party.
A closer look at the mental health provider shortage
The current state of mental health care in the United States is troubling. Mental health organizations are understaffed. People are unable to access or afford mental health services. Counselors are overwhelmed with high caseloads, and many are leaving the field in search of better pay and work-life balance. And that
The protective side of anger
Many people would probably use the well-known phrase “anger issues” to describe themselves or someone they know. As counselors, we often find utility in addressing a client’s anger in session as part of the healing process. Anger, along with anxiety, seems to be one of the few emotions we are supposed