ACA MEMBER BLOGS

Conflict is a part of life. I know people who thoroughly enjoy conflict and others who avoid it at all costs. One of the cornerstones I cover with adolescent boys and their parents is "conflict resolution." By utilizing my process, the family can communicate more effectively and peacefully.

Hulu’s popular series “The Handmaid’s Tale” has shone a much-needed light on how sexism and patriarchy silences women, in order to limit women’s roles, rights, and power.

My advocacy for aging sexual expression began a long time ago in the small town of Jacksonville, Illinois. I worked as a certified nursing assistant at the local nursing home while making my way through college. It was a tough position but one that never really felt like a job. While other peers were working at Walmart or babysitting or getting drunk on the weekends, I was happily spoon-feeding honey coated food into the mouths of my residents.

In my private practice I focus on, and work primarily with, adolescent males and families. As a PhD, Licensed Professional Counselor I consider myself an expert in matters that relate to males. I have extensively researched, facilitated groups and individual sessions with young men.

Yes, I said it. Probably more times than I would like to admit. I am currently the mother of a 6 (“6 and a half” as she likes to say) and a 5-year-old. Kids are a handful, especially when it comes to young ones who still need some assistance and aren’t as much help around the house as they will be when they are older.

Disability is a word that is often included as an afterthought in conversations of diversity, social justice, or most other discussions of human differences. In fact, if you look at the diversity statements created by organizations or institutions of higher education, it would be uncommon for any reference to persons with disabilities.

I love pralines and cream ice cream. I love key lime pie. I love banana pudding, but only with homemade pudding. These are a few variations of desserts that I absolutely love. I will go out of my way to attain any one of these treats. Fortunately, I am not demonized for my choices, there is no level of shame or guilt if I confess to indulging in these desserts.

It’s back-to-school season! Now that I am on the other side of my doctoral education since graduating with my PhD this past May, I wanted to reflect back to where I was before starting the Counselor Education program at Virginia Tech.

Education is typically objective, offering some room for interpretation. But essentially, concrete concepts underlie what is learned in school. The sky is blue, 2 plus 2 equals 4, and babies are developed in the uterus.

Podcasts are the best (subjective I know but just give them a shot if you haven’t already). The process is so easy. All you’ve got to do is find a topic you want to learn about (literally anything because they’ve got a podcast on just about everything), search for it, subscribe to it and listen.