The Thoughtful Counselor

Intergenerational trauma can impact the mental health and emotional wellbeing of many individuals, especially Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities. Join Dr. Stacey Litam and Dr. Monica P. Band as they explore the nuanced topics associated with understanding intergenerational trauma and outline specific strategies for counselors.   For more on interviewee, links from the conversat...

The National HIV/AIDS Strategy (2022–2025) provides stakeholders across the nation with a roadmap to accelerate efforts to end the HIV epidemic in the United States by 2030. In this episode, Dr. Michael Jones and Dr. Richelle Joe discuss why counselors need a better understanding of the HIV epidemic and the mental health implications for the individuals in this population.   For more on Richelle,...

Dr. Kristi Cannon talks about the challenges and strengths of development through the middle childhood and adolescent years. She and Margaret talk about changes in parenting practices, social media, and the impact of COVID on this cohort of children adolescents. They also discuss how community and school counselors can support this group.     For more on Kristi, links from the conversation, and AP...

In this episode, Dr. Jessica Tyler talks with Dr. Sejal Parikh Foxx, a professor and department chair at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, to discuss urban education and counselor beliefs and attitudes about their role in social justice and advocacy. Dr. Foxx discusses how she has used her lived experiences, mentoring, and the ACA and ASCA Code of Ethics to advocate for equitable and...

Dr. Melanie Varney is a counselor educator who started her own private practice by learning about herself and doing her own work. She shares why she is in private practice today and encourages others to find what makes them most happy.   For more on Melanie, links from the conversation, and APA citation for this episode visit concept.paloaltou.edu   The Thoughtful Counselor is created in partnersh...

In this episode, Dr. Karen Roller continues her discussion about lifespan through the lens of culture in context. Dr. Roller specifically examines the development that happens in early childhood. She talks about how counselors can use culture as a lens through which to view development, the current challenges she sees for this age group, and how counselors can avoid compassion fatigue when working...

Dr. Raissa Miller interviews Richard Hill and Matthew Dahlitz about their recent book, A Practitioner's Guide to the Science of Psychotherapy. Richard and Matthew unpack the meaning of the word 'science' and discuss its real-world application in the counseling room. They share multiple analogies and personal antidotes that emphasize the importance of attunement, curiosity, responsiveness, and intu...

Dr. Raissa Miller interviews Richard Hill and Matthew Dahlitz about their recent book, A Practitioner's Guide to the Science of Psychotherapy. Richard and Matthew unpack the meaning of the word 'science' and discuss its real-world application in the counseling room. They share multiple analogies and personal antidotes that emphasize the importance of attunement, curiosity, responsiveness, and intu...

Have you ever wondered why youth view sexually explicit material? Curious about how to respond, provide sex education, and address topics related to distress, out of control sexual behaviors, and sexually explicit material within therapeutic counseling settings? Join Braxton Dutson (LCSW) and Dr. Stacey Diane Arañez Litam to learn more about why youth view pornography and how counselors – and pare...

Infant mental health involves promoting emotional and social wellbeing in young children from the prenatal period to 5 years of age through culturally responsive and relationship-based care. In this episode Dr. Humes will discuss why this important specialty area of counseling does not receive the amount of attention it deserves.   For more on Camille, links from the conversation, and APA citation...

Today on The Thoughtful Counselor, Dr. Megan Speciale talks with Drs. Theodore Burnes and Michelle Vaughan about their new book, The Handbook of CNM-Affirming Mental Health Practice. The conversation explores the counseling considerations for working with diverse clients involved in consensually non-monogamous relationships, as well as some of the common misconceptions and biases impacting this co...

In this episode, Dr. Jessica Tyler talks with Sara Ellison, an associate licensed counselor, nationally certified counselor, and doctoral student on perfectionism and overcontrol. They discuss how perfectionism impacts individuals' wellness, along with the parallel process of being a counselor or counselor-in-training who struggles with perfectionistic and overcontrolled tendencies. This episode i...

Dr. Anne Saw shares her work within Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. She gives us a deep dive into the work that went into the Covid-19 Needs Assessment Project and how community-engaged research made it possible. She ends with her hopes for the future, advice to others wanting to do similar work, and encouragement for students who haven't found their niche yet. F...

In this episode Dr. Jones and Dr. Townsend discuss the positive effects that mentorship has on Black men. They talk about the lived experiences of Black men and the protective factors needed to support Black men in their career/family life.   For more on Christopher, links from the conversation, and APA citation for this episode visit concept.paloaltou.edu The Thoughtful Counselor is created in pa...

Dr. Raissa Miller interviews Dr. Kathryn Ford about the centrality of openness in relationships. Dr. Ford discusses the relational neuroscience underlying her Aperture Awareness approach and offers practical and concrete strategies for fostering and enhancing openness. Dr. Ford shares specific examples from her clinical practice and provides listeners with ideas and resources for further learning....

Dr. Margaret Lamar interviews Drs. Kelly Coker, Kristi Cannon, Savitri Dixon-Saxon, and Karen Roller about their new project taking a new look at lifespan development. They share the importance of understanding lifespan development within the context and culture the clients experience and grow. The conversation includes how we can better conceptualize our clients using a contextual and cultural le...

In this episode, Dr. Jessica Tyler talks with Dr. Julia Whisenhunt, Associate Professor at the University of West Georgia, about how counselors can make ethically wise decisions when in crisis intervention. As part of her co-authored book, "Crisis Intervention Ethics Casebook," she discusses the SAFETY framework (Nobbman et al., 2014), Triage Assessment Form (Myer et al., 1992), and LASER protocol...

Dr. Amanda Waters speaks with us about the power of responsive vs reactive intentionality when creating community. She shares with us the importance of doing our own cultural identity work in order for us to create our own firm centers while retaining our soft edges. She gives examples of how lifelong learning will help us address mental health disparities within college campuses and community wor...

In this episode, Michele Kerulis discusses the relationship between movement and mental health. She shares insights from the interdisciplinary field of exercise psychology and from her extensive work with athletes, including how to help enhance motivation, increase self-awareness, and support athletes' unique mental health challenges. For more on Michele, links from the conversation, and APA citat...

Balancing intersecting roles as parents, counselors, and counselor educators can be difficult. In this episode, Dr. Stacey Litam and Dr. Maddie Clark dive into the challenges of becoming new parents in the productivity-driven world of academe. Listen along as they describe strategies for counselors and counselor educators to support clients and students who are preparing to grow their families For...

Today we introduce a new member of the Thoughtful Counselor team, Dr. Margaret Lamar! We learn about her specializations in parent mental health, societal values of mothering, and the impact of unrealistic expectations of mothers on parents, children, and families. Dr. Lamar discusses the realities of pandemic parenting and shares essential tips for managing the COVID-19 stress within the family....

In this episode, Dr. Jessica Tyler talks with Sydney Wasdin as she shares her story of becoming a therapist and yoga instructor and integrating these complementary philosophies into therapeutic practice. Jessica and Sydney discuss the significance of utilizing bodywork in the therapy process, how yoga intersects and parallels therapeutic principles, and recommendations for incorporating yoga conce...

Dr. Kevin Cokley speaks to Dèsa Daniel about the formation of his edited book Making Black Lives Matter Confronting Anti-Blackness Racism. During the episode, Cokley speaks about why his work is personal and the legacy he hopes to leave behind. He shares with us how cultural mistrust can influence BIPOC communities when seeking treatment. For more on Kevin, links from the conversation, and APA cit...

In this episode, Dr. Jessica Tyler talks with Dr. Brandee Appling, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Counseling and Human Development Services at the University of Georgia. She is a co-author on an article published in the Journal of Counseling & Development entitled, "Using the Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Competencies to Decolonize Counseling Practice: The Important Role...

In this episode, Dr. Megan Speciale interviews Emily Behrs, AMFT and Kaila Hattis, LMFT about using a body-positive framework for working with teens who struggle with negative body image, disordered eating and nutrition, and/or unhealthy exercise patterns. Emily and Kaila share strategies about how to incorporate body image and nutrition into the intake and assessment process, broach topics relate...