Everyone in the family is home for the night and yet no one is talking to each other. Your kids are alone in their rooms on their tablets, dad is watching TV in the family room and mom is scrolling through Instagram on her phone. These days there is no shortage of things to keep... Continue Reading →
"I'm a white woman, what can I possibly say about race?" I recently asked a black colleague. His reply, "I don't know, what can you say? What has been your experience?" I think as a white person I've been taught to deny race, to pretend like it doesn't exist. The idea of being "color blind"... Continue Reading →
Life is full of first times, and first times are frightening! Can you remember the fear you felt the first time you got behind the wheel of a car? The first time you asked someone out on a date? Or the first time you started a new job? Often when we are faced with doing... Continue Reading →
In a recent group discussion, a fellow student counselor raised the question of whether people either have the capacity for empathy, or not. The peer interpreted that this could have been guidance given by a more seasoned counselor. Many of us wondered if the statement by the established counselor was well interpreted by our peer.... Continue Reading →
Warmer weather, longer days, expectations of spending time outside with friends and family, summer looks like it is finally here to stay. Here are 3 ways to ensure this summer doesn't slip by and leave you wishing you had done more. Summer bucket list: What's on your summer bucket list? Is it going to the... Continue Reading →
When events happen in your life, are you reacting or are you responding? What is the difference? Reaction is based on our subconscious patterns and beliefs. Think of it as a "knee-jerk" reaction, one that happens instantly and does not require time to process or evaluate. A reaction is often a habit, and it is... Continue Reading →
Some people attempt to avoid discomfort or other uncomfortable feelings. They may avoid any negative experience, conversation, or encounter that could elicit pain. They might not even realize their avoidance comes from not wanting to feel uncomfortable. People may mask their feelings by saying things like, “Good vibes only!” or “There is always a silver... Continue Reading →
When I started my internship experience and began working with clients, I distinctly remember my gut reaction was to say, “I am so sorry” if my clients would cry in session. I quickly realized that I did not need to do this, and I looked at this example as an opportunity to examine my own... Continue Reading →
How many emotions can you name? In Brenè Brown’s book entitled Atlas of the Heart,Brown and her team surveyed 7,000 people in five years, and the average number of emotions that people can identify are three: happiness, sadness, and anger. However, these three emotions grossly underrepresent all the emotions we feel daily. In fact, Brown... Continue Reading →
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