ACA MEMBER BLOGS

Intimacy; it’s what keeps relationships together after they’re already formed. It’s the bond that’s built between individuals that grows as their relationship furthers itself. But, how do we know what intimacy is?

In addition to being a nation under quarantine, we are also in many ways, a nation in mourning. We are grieving a myriad of losses. Some may be grieving in the most traditional sense, of having lost a loved one. Others may be experiencing losses related to quality of life: the loss of health, a job, status, of freedom, of access to friends and family, access to healthcare for issues unrelated to COVID-19, loss of access to childcare.

As a global community, we are all adjusting to a new normal as we fight to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. In this community, counselors have been playing a key role. Many have swiftly transitioned to telemental health and have consistently been holding space for the many emotions that are commonly being evoked during this time.

Sexual agency is paramount to personal liberation as it intersects with one’s overall mental well-being and quality of life. When a woman is aware of her own sexual agency, she is aware that her power starts from within.

In this, my sixth blog on Mother-Daughter Attachment, I will identify; what mother blaming is, how toxic mother blaming is for the mother-daughter bond; and how unconsciously pervasive it is within the counseling and marriage and family professions.

As the world is adjusting to a new normal, many are recognizing the need to alter their lifestyles in order to continue to foster wellness during this time. While self-care strategies tend to be subjective, one constant that’s difficult to deny is the essentiality of coping during times of high stress.

As a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Registered Play Therapist, amidst the Covid-19 concerns, I have found several practitioners utilizing TeleHealth.

For most of us, the way we work has changed dramatically since our cities and states began to be impacted by COVID-19. Overnight we have gone from seeing clients at agencies, offices, schools and clinics to seeing them online out of our homes.

Take your time in trying out all different types of meditation and mindfulness activities to figure out what suites you best (resources provided below). After more and more time is spent meditating you will become more and more comfortable with the idea of being still and focusing your attention to your breath.

It seems that all too often in trainings and workshops, therapist self-care is mentioned towards the end, almost as an afterthought or addendum. For this reason, I thought it important to address this topic early on in this series of articles. During this exceptional time, self-care can no longer be an afterthought.