ACA MEMBER BLOGS

As someone that has consulted with programs for many years I am still amazed by the amount of misinformation that can be found in existing and new programs especially when it comes to issues surrounding billing, particularly billing when insurance companies are involved.

After about an hour of running between offices on different floors of the government office building, I had it. I held the little packet of receipts and forms that heralded a new beginning in my career. I had just filed all the paperwork to become an LPC supervisor in my state. After 40 hours of intense but eye-opening training, my brain was fried but my heart was elated.

In this blog I tell the story of how I came to pioneer the mother-daughter relationship specialism. It’s been an interesting journey that has taught me to believe in my work, even when others didn’t. And to recognize that opportunities present themselves when you least expect them.

Within the last decade adult coloring books have surged in popularity. The vast selection available today includes abstract images, mandalas, and your beloved characters from Marvel, to Disney, and anything in between (like famous Facebook kitty, Pusheen).

This quote from one of my favorite songs, “Conversations Rule the Nation”, inspired me to pursue a career in counseling. In therapy, it is all about the exchange of therapeutic conversations between counselor and clients, and that, the conversational aspect of therapy, has always stirred a passion within me to properly care for my clients.

When I first met her, straight out of graduate school in my first job, I was terrified. My fear coming from a place of inadequacy and lack of knowledge. Sure, my school had prepared me for psychosis in the purest sense of the DSM; but it had not prepared me for the reality of it.

This year marked my third year at the ACA conference, during which I completed two presentations. I’ve presented in some capacity at the previous two conferences as well. I’m not sure what it is, but there’s something that draws me to presentations.

As a graduate student, I would have told you that most of my knowledge and learning in my career would be the result of time spent with books, at professional conferences, and reading peer-reviewed journals.

In honor of Mother’s Day I am dedicating this blog to exploring what mothers need, because this question is rarely asked. Historically, mothers have not been asked what they need and still today, this question is missing in many families.

Through play therapy, children learn to communicate with others, express feelings, modify behavior, develop problem-solving skills, and learn a variety of ways of relating to others.