CS Features – Expert Interviews, Guides, Professional Advocacy & Research in Counseling

Joining a counseling profession is about more than understanding licensing requirements and reading step-by-step guides. This is a profession committed to continued education, listening, and learning. To be a successful counselor or therapist, you have to be engaged with and aware of the larger conversations in the community.

Whether you are just starting your counseling career or already working in the field, CS features cover topics relevant to you. It holds scholarship and resource guides, expert interviews, tips for avoiding burnout and compassion fatigue, discussions of the latest academic research, and detailed analyses of the most pressing advocacy issues within counseling professions. Overall, we bring you into the conversation around the biggest issues in counseling and professions today.

What Counselors Need to Know About Continuing Education

Calendar Icon 06/24/25 Lisa Hutchison, LMHC

The field of psychology is dynamic, it is one in which you can never stop learning from. As theories and therapies continue to evolve, it is essential for counselors to stay abreast of the latest research, continuing practices and learn new ways of thinking.

What is the Interstate Counseling Compact?

Calendar Icon 06/23/25 Rachel Drummond, MEd

The Interstate Counseling Compact is an ideal solution to one of the most pressing issues in mental healthcare today: access. By introducing a new agreement that enables licensed counselors (LPCs) and their clients to remain connected across state lines, this groundbreaking development eliminates the hindrances brought about by out-of-state moves, such as disrupted patient/therapist relationships and time pressures for counselors facing financial losses due to slow transitions.

Counseling Supervision: Types & What to Know

Calendar Icon 06/20/25 Lisa Hutchison, LMHC

Supervision is required to complete master’s or doctoral degrees, practicums, internships, and state licensure. Many companies require their counselors to meet with a supervisor regularly. Supervision is necessary for each counselor’s growth and support.

How Mental Health Counselors Can Help Clients Examine Gender Labels

Calendar Icon 06/17/25 Alex Stitt, LMHC

For those who grew up with a binary definition of men and women, it can be quite confusing to encounter people who don’t fit these categories. Not only are sex and gender different, there’s an entire planet of cultural gender constructs to wrap one’s head around. On top of this, language is polysemic and definitions overlap, meaning that trans and nonbinary people may use gender labels differently.

The Healing Power of Humor and Laughter in Therapy

Calendar Icon 06/13/25 Lisa Hutchison, LMHC

When a client and a counselor connect with humor or laughter, this can help the client relax, let go, decrease symptoms and engage in creative problem-solving.

Is Self-Disclosure Appropriate for Counselors?

Calendar Icon 06/11/25 Lisa Hutchison, LMHC

Counseling is designed to focus on the client’s issues, feelings, thoughts, and experiences. Is self-disclosure okay to use in counseling sessions? Although there are some concerns with self-disclosure, it can be helpful to your client and the therapeutic relationship, when used for the client’s benefit.

Who’s Trained in LGBTQ+ Mental Health? Affirmative Counselors, Gender Therapists & More

Calendar Icon 06/10/25 Alex Stitt, LMHC

In the field today, there is an observable stratum of allies, yet their dedication to this goal varies a great deal, as does their level of skill, training, and overall experience. For this reason, it’s worth noting the distinct strengths and potential limitations of allied counselors, affirmative counselors, gender specialists, sex therapists, and LGBTQ+ counselors.

Beyond Agency Work as a Counselor

Calendar Icon 06/05/25 Lisa Hutchison, LMHC

Many counselors begin their careers working for other people in a mental health clinic, educational system, medical facility, or a government setting. These positions provide counselors with financial stability and valuable professional experience. Over time, counselors may desire more freedom and autonomy.

How to Stay Motivated in the Field of Counseling

Calendar Icon 05/27/25 Lisa Hutchison, LMHC

A lack of motivation can be caused by a variety of sources. Some of these include stress, change, or an underlying mental health or physical condition. Other times, a lack of motivation can be a signal to make important changes in your career and lifestyle.

AroAce Identity and Mental Health

Calendar Icon 05/23/25 Alex Stitt, LMHC

Since Kinsey, there have been many studies exploring the spectrum of heterosexuality and homosexuality, yet there has been little to no research measuring the spectrum of aromanticism to alloromanticism, and asexuality to allosexuality.