Amy Rosechandler

I’m working on notes I didn’t write last week. Sound familiar? I get caught up in tug of war with my notes. Some days, I win! I'm writing my notes carefree in the 10 minutes between one client and the next. Other days, I can hardly construct a sentence and the tasks pile up. I struggle with finding the words to sum up progress and make meaning of sessions. I strive to highlight the strengths and uniqueness of each client and my brain gets tired.

Young people are seeking meaningful romantic and sexual relationships. Although myths about hookup culture are provocative and serve to freak out parents, there isn’t that much data pointing to hookup culture as a true phenomenon. College students themselves tend to overestimate the extent to which peers engage in casual sex.

As a teenager, I thought structure was something imposed by school, parents and clocks. The words ‘routine’ and ‘structure’ vaguely irritated me. I preferred spontaneity, freedom and maybe a little chaos. Although I wouldn't admit the fact, structure was something I needed. Little did I know at that time, structure could also be created by me.

As the Sakura trees blossom, we are nearing graduation and finals at the University where I work. Many of my therapy conversations are centered on career planning and decision-making. From some clients I hear success stories; creative works completed, theses defended, jobs landed with major tech companies. Others are thick in the woods of confusion as they think about the reality of the job market.

Clients who experience periods of crisis or intense emotional distress may benefit from having a plan to respond in a healthy way. Working with clients in a collaborative and creative way may produce more useful and meaningful plans. Clients are more likely to follow through and benefit from this type of planning if the process is unique to them. Creating a self-care kit is one way clients can respond to and plan for a time of crisis. By utilizing a self-care kit clients can learn and practice new skills.