ACA MEMBER BLOGS

Colorism has gained traction in the last few years in popular culture in the film and music industries. Some examples include music lyrics from rappers and film casting from actors and actresses.

Since early 2020, many counseling services have found a new home online. Telehealth has established itself as a viable and efficient method for therapists to help their clients, resulting in a potential surplus of physical counseling spaces.

Counselors have likely heard and/or used the term: biopsychosocial-spiritual. Biospsychosocial-spiritual means that we [humanity] are widely diverse—specifically: biopsychosocial-spiritually diverse. Counselors respect and honor biopsychosocial-spiritual diversity. Honoring and respecting biopsychosocial-spiritual diversity in others begins with identifying it first in ourselves, so let’s break the 4-part terminology down!

Traditionally allies are associated with wartime because when there is a battle, it is both helpful and encouraging to have allies or helpers fighting alongside us.

Some parts of biopsychosocial-spiritual diversity are more easily detected than others. For example, some aspects of human biology are obvious—height and weight for example. But some aspects of biology are hidden such as allergies and medical conditions which can affect genetics and biology.

Cultural Humility reaches across social and cultural bounds, impacting all clients from active help-seekers to vulnerable and marginalized people.

Mindfulness and indigenous wisdom invite us to become aware of our creative and destructive patterns and our need for connection with everything that exists. Without this attention, we can get lost in the conundrum of solving the problems our "sophisticated" mind creates.

We are a few months into the new year and resolutions have probably either faded or have taken root. Regardless of whichever camp you fall into (we do not judge) I sure do hope that self-care was among one of the areas to focus on this new year. Yes, it is indeed possible to love yourself and care for others; that in and of itself does not constitute selfishness.

Counselors provide athletes with techniques to use on and off the field, or court to help them maintain their level of mental and physical performance.

In preparation for the final stage of certification as a Mindfulness Meditation Teacher, I am focusing on ways to teach Metta or lovingkindness and Mindfulness in easy accessible ways. Metta is the Pali word for unconditional kindness—friendliness and acceptance.