Being a spokesperson for the online therapy field, I have, every week for the past several years, received calls from counselors who have recently listed their name and practice information on an online counseling website (such as eCounseling.com), or who are having someone build them an online counseling website of their own. I usually meet these calls with a certain level of excitement: “Great! Super! Excellent! Congratulations! Welcome to the club!” I will say. But I have recently grown to be a bit hesitant with my cheers, “wait a second” I might say, “What are you expecting to happen when you start your online therapy practice?” Too often, the counselor’s response sounds something like this. “Well, I’m getting fewer new clients at my face-to-face practice, so I was thinking that, with online counseling, I would have a much larger pool of potential clients.” Then the counselor will ask me, “How long do you think it will take for me to have a full caseload?” “Well, that’s the … [Read more...]
Depression In Adolescence: Depression Risk Factors, Depression Effects, Depression Treatment
By, Laura P. Naylor Abstract Depression is very common in adolescence and if not treated properly it can produce long-term negative consequences, such as alcohol and drug abuse, criminal behavior, and even suicide. It is imperative that parents, educators, mental health workers, and the entire society better understand the signs, symptoms, risk factors, and behavior problems associated with depression in adolescence. This paper attempts to provide society with a better understanding of adolescent depression by reviewing the current literature on adolescent depression. This paper defines depression and reviews its symptoms, as well as the genetic, environmental, and social influences of adolescent depression. It also examines gender and racial differences among adolescents with depression and examines treatment options available to depressed adolescents. Introduction Everyone has most likely experienced a sad mood at one time or another in their lives. A short period of … [Read more...]
Overcoming Workaholism: Counseling Tips for Achieving Balance
Portraits of Workaholism Henry can’t even recall the last time he felt he was able to truly relax. What he can recall, however, is just how difficult it was for him growing up poor. All he seems to care about these days is making sure that he does not have to experience those struggles again. He worries that if he stops working for even a day, then he will lose everything. Marie can’t get herself to slow down. She is constantly picking up after her two children, cooking, and cleaning in attempt to maintain a spotless household. Unfortunately, as a result she can never actually enjoy her home and family. Definitions and Key Thoughts Workaholism occurs when one fails to maintain a healthy balance between work and life. For workaholics, work is their principal avenue for finding success, approval, and respect. For many, work has become a powerful obsession. However, workaholism is a health-robbing, sleep-depriving, and greed-festering addiction. However, it is a problem … [Read more...]
Adultery Counseling: Infidelity Facts, and How to Overcome
Cheating in Marriage, Messing Around Kerri desperately wanted to trust her husband, but she constantly found herself thinking that there might be another woman in his life. One afternoon she was cleaning up their home office and found a credit card statement detailing hotel and restaurant charges in Chicago. She could not recall her husband ever talking about traveling to Chicago. Nina enjoyed really enjoyed talking with her friend, David. Their conversations always seemed to be interesting and uplifting. Somewhere along the line, their relationship became about more than just talking. Nina can hardly remember when they developed feelings for when another or how their affair began. She never had intentions of being unfaithful to her husband. Adultery Statistics If you have experienced adultery, you are not alone. Research published in the Journal of Research and Personality (Buss & Shackelford) found that 30%-60% of marriages experience infidelity at some point. Numerous … [Read more...]
Trauma: Counseling Information on Trauma and Help for Overcoming a Traumatic Event
PORTRAITS James woke suddenly in the middle of the night. His heart was pounding in his chest and his sheets were tangled around him. His nightmare had seemed so real that at first he couldn’t figure out where he was. His accident has occurred years ago, but lately he had been having frequent dreams about it. Ali had been in several bad relationships throughout college- usually with older men. She is beginning to realize that her desperate need for affection from men comes from the time she watched her father walk out on her mother. Her memory of that night and the pain she felt hasn’t faded a bit. DEFINITIONS & KEY THOUGHTS Trauma is considered to be any situation that shakes one to the core and is beyond their control. Examples of trauma include childhood abuse, rape, abortion, a car accident, domestic violence, or many other types of events. Whatever the situation may be, a trauma could ultimately lead to mental disorders or even suicide. Recovery from a trauma is … [Read more...]