ACA MEMBER BLOGS

As a counselor, an orientation toward social justice is something that I am called to on both personal and professional levels. In addition to NMAAHC's infusion of social justice movements throughout history, I also appreciated that the museum’s exhibits represented African Americans as a group of people who continually built new efforts toward freedom that have benefited all Americans to this date.

Exposure therapy focuses on changing your response to the object, or situation that is causing your anxiety. Gradually repeating exposure to the source that causing fear may help a child manage his or her thoughts and feelings about what is making him or her anxious.

As a counselor, I now know that conversations about death and end-of-life are challenging to have -- even for professionals who encounter it regularly.

History has long elevated men’s voices and achievements over women’s voices and achievements, and the psychotherapy profession is no exception.

As I reflect on when I was a child, I recall having passing thoughts about death and what it might mean to die and to age when I was at this stage. I did not, however, spend a significant amount of time or energy attending to these thoughts.

One of the hardest lessons I have had to learn as a beginning counselor is that I can’t save every client from their issues if they don’t want to be saved.

When I reflect on how my supervisory style and theoretical orientation to supervision have evolved, I recognize that it continues to be a goal of mine to do whatever I can to facilitate a space for my supervisees that is inviting and facilitates growth.

Every counselor knows that it’s important and vital to build rapport with the students in your school at the beginning of the year in order to help them feel safe and trust you with personal information.

Having discussions about racism, xenophobia, sexism, classism, and religious discrimination are integral to raising children that are socially apt, aware, and culturally competent. We can begin today by practicing and cultivating an anti-racist philosophy and behaviors that promote inclusivity and cultural awareness within the community.

During the transition to the virtual provision of counseling services at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, I noticed a swift change in my supervisees’ concerns – a shift from clinical issues to primarily technical challenges of teletherapy and the virtual provision of services.