ACA MEMBER BLOGS

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer individuals and those who otherwise identify as a minority in terms of affectional orientation and gender identity/expression (LGBTQ+) have a higher rate of mental health concerns than their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts.

How often when asked the question, “How are you?” is the response something like, “Oh I’ve had a bad day,” or “I’m doing alright.” On the contrary I hear anywhere from “good, fine, or occasionally well thanks and you?”

When it’s to time to “let go”. Divorce is never easy, but it is a reality for many Americans. Some people rejoice in the fact that they are divorcing. Others, however, are devastated by the loss of financial security, companionship, or dashed dreams. While there are many reasons for divorce, some are more prevalent than others.

With the late passing of Aretha Franklin I was reminded of one of my favorite songs R-E-S-P-E-C-T. The rules of sibling rivalry seem to always have some universal themes among them. Competing for mom and dad’s attention (positively or negatively), trying to outdo one another in school, sports, or home responsibilities, assertion of power within the family unit, lack of RESPECT for one another, negative parental role models, etc. and the list goes on.

As a counseling professor with Counseling@Northwestern and licensed counselor, I’m always interested in watching how TV shows portray mental health so that I can use popular media as an educational tool with my graduate students and clients. ABC’s new drama A Million Little Things is off to a promising start as a way to help people have conversations about mental health.

For many years the topic of making money in counseling practice has been taboo, but the tides are turning, and the culture changing. People are asking, ‘healthcare professionals of many flavors are running successful (thriving) practices, why not us?’

Last month CBS contacted me asking if I would provide mother-daughter couples coaching for a mother-daughter couple on their new show “Face the Truth”. At first I felt flattered. I thought “wow, CBS is calling me”. But when I spoke to the production assistant about what they wanted from me and googled what the show was about red flags started popping up.

On Tuesday, September 11th 2018, three Marine Corps bases in North Carolina were in the direct path of Hurricane Florence. The cities surrounding these three bases mandated evacuation.

Today my thoughts will turn you to my journey in my career thus far and what this process has been like for me. If you are familiar with personality assessments then you might have heard of the Enneagram,

Here in Virginia Beach, Hurricane Florence had us on pens and needles. I saw things I have never seen before, people’s homes were boarded up, a whole section from this town was ordered to evacuate, and meanwhile the grocery stores were bare.