Amy Rosechandler

At my last agency position, I was happy to have good vacation benefits. I earned about 3 weeks, and during my last few years there, I took every day. During my first year however, I certainly didn't use all my days. I felt I needed to work my way up and prove myself. It was too easy to fall into the trap of staying later than everyone else, finishing paperwork slower than my grandmother typing with one finger.

As a counselor working with college students, the end of the spring semester is bitter-sweet. Graduation, new jobs and summer vacations may result in ending therapy or taking a break from sessions for a while. When students I work with go home for summer, I know they might be facing family stressors, a lot of down-time, and disconnection from social networks developed on-campus. Students with a mental health concern can benefit from a summer care plan.

Relationships work is one of my favorite areas for individual counseling. Individual therapy provides clients the space to explore their interpersonal history and communication styles. Clients can apply valuable insights to their relationships, then watch love transform long-held patterns. Love can heal and resolve, but only if communication in the relationship works.

A common question I hear from clients is “how do you listen to (depression, problems, trauma) all day?” “I could never do your job, how do you not give up hope?” I usually have two answers. First, it is challenging hearing many sorrows and hardships. Some days the best I can do is snuggle with my dog and find comfort in knowing my job is to help and heal.

Counselors advocate for clients, help them access resources and support their wellness. Collaboration with psychiatrists and other medication providers is one of our roles. Establishing a positive working relationship with a psychiatric medication provider can feel like striking gold. There just aren’t enough providers and many are very busy.