On June 12, America woke up to the terrible news that dozens of people had been killed and injured in a spree of violence perpetrated by a single shooter at a popular nightclub in Orlando, Florida. Within 24 hours, local counselors began circulating a spreadsheet, asking practitioners to sign up
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‘We must do more’: Counselors have part to play in stemming U.S. suicide increase
After more than a decade of almost constant decline, the rate of suicide deaths in the United States has increased 24 percent over the past 15 years. In fact, the country’s rate of suicide is at its highest point since 1986, according to data released recently by the U.S. Centers
All things connect: The integration of mindfulness, cinema and psychotherapy
Barely able to breathe, a young man battling a panic attack hesitantly enters the group room and makes his way to an empty chair. He and a dozen others “check in” and are then guided through a simple, calming breathing exercise. The lights are dimmed and the group members are
Do preteens still play in counseling?
As a play therapist, I’m used to explaining the ins and outs of play therapy. Because play is a universal concept, most people understand that it is also a child’s “language” and can be used to address many issues in therapy. However, when it comes to preteens, play therapy takes
Geek Therapy: Recommended resources
Can video games and comic books be used as a counseling tool? Absolutely, say Josué Cardona and Stephen Kuniak, licensed professional counselors who advocate for what they call “geek therapy.” Superheroes, science fiction and other “geeky” things can be used as conversation starters with clients and help to further the
Geek therapy: Connecting with clients through comics, video games and other ‘geeky’ pursuits
Stephen Kuniak was in a serious car accident during his first year in the master’s in counseling program at Duquesne University in Pennsylvania. While recovering, Kuniak noticed that he didn’t feel the extreme pain of his shattered femur and other injuries as much when he was engaged in activities that
Sex offender therapy: A battle on multiple fronts
Working with individuals with sex offense convictions is a specialized area of counseling. There are also “specialties within the specialty” when factoring in the different venues for treatment, including programs in prison, in private practice (often with those on postprison supervision or probation) and in mental institutions. The individuals within
Virtual role-play shows promise for addressing mental health
A developer of online and mobile role-playing training simulations and games is helping individuals who are not trained in mental health to become more familiar with at-risk behaviors and how to respond to them. Christine Karper and Michelle Stone, members of the American Counseling Association’s Cyber Task Force, view
Game play with clients and patients
Brandon Ballantyne would like to see the use of therapeutic games expand outside of the counseling profession. Ballantyne, a member of the American Counseling Association and the Pennsylvania Counseling Association, has long advocated for an increase in creative interventions within the counseling profession. In July he was able to present
Animal-assisted therapy and research continues to develop, gain support
Studies previously have suggested that owning a pet can be beneficial to a person’s mental health, so it’s only fitting that there has been an increase in research regarding the study of animal-assisted therapy and the roles these creatures can play in the healing process. As NPR reports, a field of