The Thoughtful Counselor

Mike speaks with Russell Siler Jones on the practical nuts and bolts of bringing spirituality into our work as counselors and mental health workers. They discuss attending to our clients spirituality (in whatever form that comes, attending to our own spirituality, and the intersection of psychotherapy and spiritual direction. For more on Russell, links from the conversation, and the APA citation for this episode visit www.thethoughtfulcounselor.com.

The Four Doctors - Janeé Avent Harris, Angie D. Cartwright, Loni Crumb, and Dominique S. Hammonds - discuss Mental Health Awareness Month, the unique mental health concerns of Black communities, and how the senseless murders of Black individuals and most recently the shooting of Ahmaud Arbery, result in community stress, fear, and collective trauma in Black families and communities. For more on The Four Doctors, links from the conversation, and then APA citation for this episode visit www.thethoughtfulcounselor.com. The Thoughtful Counselor is created in partnership with Palo Alto University's division of Continuing & Professional Studies. Learn more at www.paloaltou.edu/concept.

Mike speaks with Terry Freiberg on the growth of chronic loneliness in the United States, the use of relational cultural theory in response to loneliness, and the unique features of loneliness during Covid-19. For more on Terry, links from the conversation, and the APA citation for this episode visit www.thethoughtfulcounselor.com.

Mike speaks with Guy MacPherson on bringing our full selves into our work with clients who have experienced trauma. They discuss putting aside our tendency to want to feel like experts, confronting our fears and insecurities, and the importance of finding a community of like-minded clinicians. For more on Guy, links from the conversation, and the APA citation for this episode visit www.thethoughtfulcounselor.com.

Mike speaks with Daryl and Sara Van Tongeren on their recent book The Courage to Suffer. They discuss the origins of the book in Daryl and Sara's personal loss, what an existential positive psychology framework is and why it's particularly helpful in our current times, and implications for counseling practice. For more on Daryl & Sara, links from the conversation, and then APA citation for this episode visit www.thethoughtfulcounselor.com. The Thoughtful Counselor is created in partnership with Palo Alto University's division of Continuing & Professional Studies. Learn more at www.paloaltou.edu/concept.

Priscilla speaks with Anna Shinn, Cotina Houston- Stroud, Anjuli Thompson and Mindi Wilkins- Amberson on their unique roles as mental health professionals and administrators within their community during the uncertain times of Covid-19. For more on this week's guests, links from the conversation, and then APA citation for this episode visit www.thethoughtfulcounselor.com. The Thoughtful Counselor is created in partnership with Palo Alto University's division of Continuing & Professional Studies. Learn more at www.paloaltou.edu/concept.

We are the natural world. Drawing from over 30 years of experience, Katie discusses practical strategies that counselors and their clients can use to connect to the natural world for self-care, guidance, and support during this challenging time. Katie shares experiential and trauma-informed exercises that therapists can utilize during in-person and teletherapy sessions. For more on Katie, links from the conversation, and the APA citation for this episode visit www.thethoughtfulcounselor.com The Thoughtful Counselor is created in partnership with Palo Alto University's division of Continuing & Professional Studies. Learn more at www.paloaltou.edu/concept

Mike speaks with Ray Barrett on the practical hurtles of moving your counseling practice online during the Covid-19 pandemic. They cover choosing an EHR system, emergency planning, insurance billing, and much more. For more on Ray, links from the conversation, and then APA citation for this episode visit www.thethoughtfulcounselor.com. The Thoughtful Counselor is created in partnership with Palo Alto University's division of Continuing & Professional Studies. Learn more at www.paloaltou.edu/concept

Dr. Megan Speciale and Dr. Stacey Litam engage in a frank and honest discussion about how the coronavirus pandemic, social distancing, and shelter-in-place policies are impacting a less-talked about part of our lives: love, sex, and intimacy. The conversation explores some of the growing intimacy challenges people are facing with respect to health and safety fears, partner burnout, isolation, financial worries, and childcare responsibilities. Tune in for strategies to get through quarantine with a renewed sense of self-love and a deeper understanding of your sexual and intimate needs. For more on Stacey, links from the conversation, and then APA citation for this episode visit www.thethoughtfulcounselor.com The Thoughtful Counselor is created in partnership with Palo Alto University's division of Continuing & Professional Studies. Learn more at paloaltou.edu/concept.

Raissa speaks with Dr. Lee Kinsey and Dr. Dee Ray about the many ethical and practical challenges facing counselors responding to COVID-19. The conversation also includes a discussion on the need for individualized risk assessment and decision-making, approaches to adapting practice to align with the realities and limitations of telehealth, and a call for more research and resources related to telehealth, specifically telehealth work with vulnerable populations. For more on Dee & Lee, links from the conversation, and then APA citation for this episode visit www.thethoughtfulcounselor.com The Thoughtful Counselor is created in partnership with Palo Alto University's division of Continuing & Professional Studies. Learn more at paloaltou.edu/concept.