Expert Interviews & Perspectives in Counseling

When clients show up for therapy, they often have exhausted all other resources, such as Internet searches, self-help videos, books, and other people’s advice. They may feel drained and unsure if therapy can help them.

Building rapport creates increased communication, trust, and motivation in the counselor-client relationship. Developing a positive emotional connection leads to client satisfaction and greater therapeutic outcomes.

An important part of the empathic process is holding the space or creating quiet moments for your client. It is in these times, when less is said, clients and counselors can have the most profound insights.

Boundaries start at the first encounter with your client, and continue throughout the counseling process. The counselor’s role is to clearly explain what is happening and why, while keeping the client informed throughout the development of treatment.

Therapeutic healing sometimes takes a village. Each one of us can benefit from a multitude of supports that help us navigate through tough times.

Rather than being motivated by self-referral, mandated clients do not choose to go into counseling and often must report their progress to a third party. Mandatory or court-ordered treatment areas can range from alcohol or substance use disorders, protective services cases, sex offenses, or anger management.

Started in 2001, the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) is a non-regulatory federal agency housed in the U.S. Department of Labor. ODEP’s primary objective is to eliminate barriers to the employment and training of individuals with disabilities.

This year’s National School Counseling Week will be celebrated from February 3-7, 2025. Sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), National School Counseling Week aims to bring public attention to the unique contribution of school counselors within US school systems, and how students are impacted by what school counselors do.

Counselors who are new in the profession may take therapeutic failure personally when it may reflect other relationship dynamics. Therapy does not work for many reasons, including a mismatch in personality, client readiness for treatment, financial issues, or cultural misunderstandings.

Deciding to become a mental health counselor is a huge step, but how do you pay for it? Cost varies depending on the type of school you’re attending, the type of degree you’re going for, and how long it takes to complete your academic journey.