Decoding Mental Health Professions
If you find yourself unsure about the different roles in mental health care — maybe you’re not clear on how a counselor, clinical counselor, coach, clinical social worker, psychologist, or psychiatrist differ — then this blog post is written for you.
What is Decolonization?
I’ve mentioned in other areas of my website, that decolonization guides my work and in this writing, I will try and tease apart some of what I mean by that.
This week I am getting ready to be part of a panel discussion at the Queering Mental Health online Conference. The panel will be discussing Substance Use and Harm Reduction. As with all of my prep when I’m getting ready to speak, I write, I spend time looking inwards at what lives within me already, and then try and fill in the gaps with research.
Disordered Eating with the LGBTQ2+ Community
Last month I spoke at a Recovery Talk for Eating Disorder Awareness Week with the Looking Glass Foundation. Eating disorders are personal — shaped by my experience and what I’ve seen.
I talked about how the LGBTQ2+ community, especially trans and gender-diverse people, face stigma, minority stress, and gender dysphoria, which can lead to disordered eating as a way to cope. Traditional treatments often miss these needs. Care that affirms identity and provides safe, supportive spaces is essential.
Open conversation and more research are needed to improve understanding and fair access to care for LGBTQ2+ people with eating disorders.
Being with the Stuck.
My favorite OG therapist is Carl Rogers. He is one of the founding fathers, who changed the world of therapy for what it is today, he allowed humanness to show up in the room.
Today’s post was inspired by a quote by Carl Rogers, in his writing: On Becoming a Person: “The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change. ..”
Today I’m sharing my thoughts on stuckness and why it is important to be with the stuck.
A Narrative of Narrative Therapy…
Today we will be using our imagination. We will explore the world of therapy through the lens of Mapping and Cartography. When I’m working with someone, I am never completely certain where a session will lead. My clients are the primary map holders of their inner world, and together we gently add detail and expand the parts of the map that feel most important to notice and attend to.
Storytelling in Therapy
The word of the day is: Story Telling
Today I will share with you my thoughts on what I mean when I say I work from a narrative framework
“We are all one drum and we need each other.” —Richard Wagamese
Today’s post is based on the teachings of Richard Wagamese
Wagamese was an incredible Canadian writer. An indigenous poet and storyteller.
What does it mean to be Trauma Informed?
I hope to use my blog to explain some of the clinical jargon that we tend to use in this field. I want the information to be accessible to everyone, not only to communicate with others who work in the area of health.
the word of the day is: Trauma-Informed