Tag: Professional Counseling

Taking Care Of Ourselves….

Leave a comment

Another week is upon us and there is much work for us to do with our clients.

To be honest, it seems as if the work is never-ending and more work is added before know it.

Last Monday we focused on “Giving The Client What They Need”, but what about us?

How do we take care of ourselves in a field where burnout, compassion fatigue, and/or vicarious trauma is imminent?

Self-Care is the BEST Care!!!!!

We have to remember to NOT own our clients issue…..

We MUST have a safe and confidential outlet to express our feelings…..

We MUST engage in extra-curricular and/or leisure activities outside of our work…..

Leisure activities can range from simple brisk walk in the park to writing in a journal to gardening to listening to our favorite music, amd even spending time with family and friends.

Whatever it is you choose to do, make sure you are FOCUSED on yourself and allowing yourself to really enjoy the moment.

Our clients can be real selfish at times, monopolizing all of our time (whether they realize it or not).

We have to know we to say ENOUGH is ENOUGH and its time for me to have my time.

True enough, you want to help them become better individuals, but that doesn’t mean you have to thinl about them every second of every day.

What good are you to them, if you are not taking care of yourself, FIRST?

I encourage each of you to identify at least one thing you could do weekly for yourself, that has nothing to do with your clients or work, and engage and enjoy it.

You owe it to yourself to have a MOMENT for Self.

Have an Amazing Week!!!!

EMERGE On!

Giving Our Clients What They Need.. .

Leave a comment

There are times that we as therapists lose sight of what our clients need most—a genuine, nonreactive, empathic presence, authentic relationship, supportive change-validation, skill-building, and goal-directed activity.

Too often, mental health workers escalate clients’ distress by asserting too rigid a modality and too rational a mindset for the therapy to be therapeutic. In fact, I find that this principle is true often in marriage, parenting, clinical supervision, and in many other relationships we encounter in our daily lives.

Carl Whitaker argued that therapy should be a complex emotional experience, not “intellectual nagging”(Napier, 1977). We are complex creatures, most effectively engaged at multiple levels of awareness and being. Moments of emotion have ignited wars. We are far from purely rational creatures. The world is not a purely rational place. Why should therapy be?

When our approach with clients is too rigid or too directive, it naturally provokes resistance.

Here are a few tips to decrease resistance and promote a healthy therapeutic relationships with our clients:

● Respect clients’ autonomy: Our clients shoud never feel that we are making a choice or decision for them. They should feel free to make the choices and decisions they feel are best for them. Encourage and promote independence.

● Validate pre-existing strengths, current readiness or motivation to change (even when it may be low), and positive steps already being taken toward therapeutic goals.

● Meet your clients where they are in the process. Encourage them to feel their difficult emotions in the face of unconditional acceptance in order to begin working through them rather than merely talking about them.

Wishing each of you a Productive week!

EMERGE On!

References:

Napier, A. Y. (1977). “Follow-up to divorce labyrinth.” In P. Papp (Ed.), Family therapy: Full-length case studies. New York: Gardner Press.

A Catalyst For Change…..

Leave a comment

It is that time that we prepare to embark upon another week of working with our clients to provide them with the most effective therapeutic services we can.

While I would love to focus on our clients this week, I feel that it is more important that I focus more on us as clinicians and how we are feeling.

These past weeks, as most of you are aware, was a very trying time for our Country.

I know you are wondering, how does what is happening all over the world relate to as well as impact each of us as clinicians.

We find ourselves, watching the news for each possible update, focusing on the rhetoric that is being stated by the media, political figures, and even our social media friends and/or family members. We find ourselves having to deal with everyone’s feelings and emotions and at times, placing our feelings and emotions on the back-burner.

The reality is, before we are Clinicians, we are HUMANS first.

On a Personal Level:

We have to remember that in order for us to be effective within the counseling setting, we have to make ourselves our 1st PRIORITY. Take the time to really cope with your feelings regarding the situations, in a healthy manner. Seek out peers to talk to, go for a walk, mediate, pray, and even TURN OFF the TV and take a timeout.

From a clinical standpoint:

While it is easy to form an opinion on what is taking place in the world, what have to be mindful to not allow such to distort our perceptions and hinder our ability to maintain a non-bias stance when working with our clients, regardless of their beliefs, behaviors, affiliations, etc. We never know who we will face as clients and that we are “CATALYST for CHANGE”.

I can only imagine how each of you may be feeling, as I too have my own feelings. Lets remember to take care of ourselves during such times in the world and empower others to do the same. Let’s be the example that others strive to become.

We are CATALYST for CHANGE!!!!!!!!!

EMERGE On!

We Must Act……

Leave a comment

Systematic racism and police violence have stolen lives of Black Americans from communities across the country.

As clinicians, it is our responsibility to recognize the plight faced by our African American clients and their allies and must fight to correct these injustices. We must invest and stay active in these efforts, especially when they aren’t the focus of the media. The events in recent days, weeks and month have provided another all-too-often reminder of this.

As we work to provide a wide array of services to our African American clients and their allies at the forefront of these issues, I implore you to make a few promises.

First, promise that you will continually uplift and call attention to these injustices. We should not only hear your voice on this issue when it is the focus of the media, but also hear your voice when it is not the focus of the media attention. Promise that you will address and fight for these issues proactively, not reactively.

Promise that you will hold space for African Americans to process their emotions and thoughts as well as empower them.

Promise that you will become familiar with and utilize both multicultural and social justice counseling advocacy interventions.

Lastly, promise that you will promote and collaborate with organizations focused on ending these injustices.

As a fellow clinician, I call on you to hold each other as well as yourself accountable to these promises and our African American clients, their families, and our/their communities.

Take Time To Reflect…..

Leave a comment

As you embark upon this week working with your clients and providing them with therapeutic services, I want to encourage each of you to “Take Time To Reflect”….

Reflect upon the interactions you have with your clients……

Reflect upon the treatment interventions and services you are providing….

Reflect upon your experiences in and outside of the sessions with your clients…..

Reflect upon all the work that you have done and currently doing…..

What were some of your takeaways?

What have you learned about yourself, personally and professionally?

How have these experiences help you to grow as a clinician?

Reflection is not only good for the soul but even more for our growth and development as clinicians.

I believe in each of you and continue to be amazed at your growth as you EMERGE as clinicians.

Have a wonderful week and EMERGE On…

When The Going Gets Tough….

Leave a comment

As a clinician in the field of counseling, every day is not a good day.

We find ourselves working with clients that are challenging and being assigned clients that seem to be beyond difficult, leaving us to wonder if we really know how to provide services and help them to improve.

I want to remind each of you that on days like this, “When the Going Gets Tough….. Continue EMERGING”!!!!!

We are never going to be the perfect clinician.

We are always going to walk away from session wondering what we could have done different.

Better yet, we are going to question if we are even cut out to do the work required of a clinician.

Always remember, each experience is a learning experience.

What you learn from the experience and how you apply it to yourself and the work you do as a clinicians, is what is the most important.

Trust me, I was once in your shoes and experienced some of the same anxieties, fears, and doubts as you have and/or currently are. Believe it or not, I have days when I still have these experiences. It is human nature. It is in these moments we grow, evolve, and EMERGE the most.

Take some time out of your day to breathe and remind yourself that you are “EMERGING”.

EMERGE On!

May is Mental Health Awareness Month…..

1 Comment

Do You Know Your Tools2Thrive?

While 1 in 5 people will experience a mental illness during their lifetime, everyone faces challenges in life that can impact their mental health. The good news is there are practical tools that everyone can use to improve their mental health and increase resiliency – and there are ways that everyone can be supportive of friends, family, and co-workers who are struggling with life’s challenges or their mental health.

This May is Mental Health Month we are highlighting #Tools2Thrive – what individuals can do daily to prioritize their mental health, build resiliency in the face of trauma and obstacles, support those who are struggling, and work towards a path of recovery.

One of the easiest tools anyone can use is taking a mental health screen at mhascreening.org when they need answers. It’s a quick, free, and private way for people to assess their mental health and recognize signs of mental health problems.

This May, we are also exploring topics that can help you build your own set of #Tools2Thrive – recognizing and owning your feelings; finding the positive after loss; connecting with others; eliminating toxic influences; creating healthy routines; and supporting others – all as ways to boost the mental health and general wellness of you and your loved ones.

When it comes to your feelings, it can be easy to get caught up in your emotions as you’re feeling them. Most people don’t think about what emotions they are dealing with but taking the time to really identify what you’re feeling can help you to better cope with challenging situations. It’s ok to give yourself permission to feel. We also know that life can throw us curveballs – and at some point in our lives we will all experience loss. It may be the end of a relationship, being let go from a job, losing a home, or the death of a loved one. It is natural to go through a grieving process. By looking for opportunity in adversity or finding ways to remember the good things about who or what we’ve lost, we can help ourselves to recover mentally and emotionally.

It also is true that connections and the people around us can help our overall mental health – or hurt it. It’s important to make connections with other people that help enrich our lives and get us through tough times, but it’s equally important to recognize when certain people and situations in life can trigger us to feel bad or engage in destructive behaviors. Identifying the toxic influences in our lives and taking steps to create a new life without them can improve mental and physical health over time. And we know that work, paying bills, cleaning, getting enough sleep, and taking care of children are just some of the things we do each day – and it is easy to be overwhelmed. By creating routines, we can organize our days in such a way that taking care of tasks and ourselves becomes a pattern that makes it easier to get things done without having to think hard about them.

For each of us, the tools we use to keep us mentally healthy will be unique. But we are wanting everyone to know that mental illnesses are real, and recovery is possible. Finding what work for you may not be easy but can be achieved by gradually making small changes and building on those successes. By developing your own #Tools2Thrive, it is possible to find balance between work and play, the ups and downs of life, and physical health and mental health – and set yourself on the path to recovery.

For more information, visit www.mhanational.org/may.

COVID-19 & Distancing: It’s More PHYSICAL than it is SOCIAL!!!!!

Leave a comment

For many, adapting to the this new-normal brought about by the unprecedented coronavirus, also know as COVID-19, has been quite difficult.

We are consistently thinking about and yearning for what use to be our normal lives.

We aren’t as active as we once were, with many confined to their homes unless they are leaving for essential purposes, which includes work, grocery shopping, medical appointments and so forth. But let’s be real even those essential activities seem very isolating given the physical distancing guidelines of six feets (6 fts.).

Notice that I have re-termed the phrase “social” distancing to “PHYSICAL” distancing.

I am sure you are probably wondering why I did such and the explanation is quite simple.

When I hear the term “social” distancing, I immediately cringe because the reality is that while we have to maintain a “physical” distance from our peers and individuals in our community we live in a time where we are still able to interact socially with one another through the use of technology (i.e. Facebook, Instagram, video messaging services, virtual services, etc), . Therefore, we are practicing “PHYSICAL” distancing and not “social” distancing

We, as humans, thrive on social interaction and being able to communicate with others is such a necessity in our lives.

Social interaction is pivotal to individuals, young and old, overall development. Social interaction influences ones physical, emotional, and mental state. More specifically, social interaction has been found to boosted ones mood, reducing their risk for depression, provide sharper mind by giving individual the opportunity to engage in instrumental cognitive processing and reduces ones risk for severe and chronic medical illness.

Althougth COVID-19 has significantly impacted the world, we do not have to allow it to adversely effect how we interact with others.

Yes, it may take some creativity on our behalf and no we may not be able to interact with others how we use to, but what is important and that we can still interact with others.

Send emails…..

Schedule video calls…….

Host virtual get-togethers and even secure/supervised virtual play dates for your children…….

Have conference calls….

Do whatever it takes, within the context of the “physical” distancing to ensure you are still engaging in social interaction with your loved one and friends.

Just because COVID-19 has limited us physically, we should not allow it to limit us socially.

Let’s practice “Physical” distancing while engaging in “Social” interactions!

Welcome to U Matter Consulting and Counseling, LLC

42 Comments

Do you feel like LIFE gets in the way and you are tired of having no energy left at the end of the day? Do you desire to lead a more fulfilled, stable and happier life?  Are you ready to put yourself first and take care of you?  If you have answered yes to any of these questions, then you have come to the right place.

Welcome to U Matter Consulting and Counseling, LLC.

U Matter Consulting and Counseling, LLC, based in Southeast Georgia, is dedicated to providing a wide spectrum of professional consulting and counseling services within the Southeast Georgia community that will empower, enhance, and improve the overall quality of life.

The practice goal is to help individuals gain a new perspective and improved quality of life by addressing the past and present person as well as becoming a community resource addressing mental health and personal growth needs, promoting awareness and prevention through seminars, trainings, and workshops.

The vision of U Matter Consulting and Counseling, LLC is to guide individuals through the process of change, utilizing a collaborative approach so they may experience the life they desire, transforming individuals into their best.

cropped-cropped-u-matter1.png