Although I haven’t been to a therapist in more than five years, I spent many years on the couch talking to a therapist and working out the causes and (possible) solutions to whatever issues I had been facing a the time. As an adult child of an alcoholic, I started to attend therapy when I […]
Minors’ Ability to Give Informed Consent: Identifying Risks and Benefits to Psychotherapy
An important question that has arisen over the decades is: What is the ability of minors to give informed consent to receive psychotherapy treatment? Research exploring this important question emerged decades ago and continues until today, and this subject touches upon professional, legal, and ethical dimensions. One early study that explores minors’ ability to give […]
Assessing the Professional Identity of School Counselors
Assessing the Professional Identity of School Counselors In the wake of the Parkland, Fl., school shooting last month, a debate has been raging—among other things—about whether or not students with mental health disorders are having their needs met. And by all indications, students with mental health disorders are not getting the services they need. According […]
Considering Therapy? A Few Items To Consider
Let’s face it: Sometimes life is hard. And sometimes, we all may need help with navigating our way through the messes that life sometimes hands us. In situations like those, it might be worth considering some type of therapy/counseling. One commonly asked question is: “Can I go to therapy even if don’t have a clinical […]
Is There a Mental Health Crisis on Current College Campuses? A Look into New Trends
Over the decades, the population of young adults who enter college has been growing steadily. At the same time, the number of college-age students who report mental health issues and the use of therapy have also been on the rise. In a 2017 study published in the journal “Psychological Services,” researchers have labeled the recent […]
The Role of Music in Therapy? Considerations for Potential Clients
People seek out therapy for a variety of reasons. Mental health issues such as depression and anxiety and marital or professional issues are just some of the reasons people may seek out therapy. But one set of issues that remain pronounced are substance abuse issues, or substance use disorders (SUD). And in a 2017 study […]
Eastern Concepts in Western Mental Health Practice
Eastern Concepts in Western Mental Health Practice Although traditionally viewed as one of the world’s big three religions, Buddhism, in recent years, has emerged as a tool for mental health professionals (MHP). Specifically, Buddhist counseling is “a process of reducing suffering in individuals using wisdom and interventions from Buddhism, which aims to train the human […]
When to go to Therapy
Although there may be no simple answer to the question— “When is the right time to start therapy?”—exploring the question may yield some interesting answers. The short answer is: There is no “right time” to start therapy for everybody. That said, however, it’s worth noting that you don’t necessarily need until a crisis hits to […]
Why Might Therapy Work for you?
Life. It can sometimes challenge us in unexpected ways, and therapy is designed to help us overcome those challenges. In recent years, mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse have been on the rise, and through empirical testing, psychotherapy has proven to be as effective treatment method as medication (in some studies, […]
Fostering Positive Mental Health (PMH) for Therapists in the Workplace
Adults spend a majority of their waking lives at work, and if you find yourself in a negative work environment, you will more than likely have lower levels of positive mental health (PMH). This observation is not only anecdotal, but also scientific, as recent research has highlighted the effects of a negative work environment on […]