Mindfully Discovering One\u27s Authentic Self

There is a compelling link between counselee symptoms and the developmentally based capacity to put authentic thoughts, feelings, and choices into words (Greenspan, 1997). When emotional safety and secure attachment are not available and “scaffolding” was not provided to support the development of these capacities, truth is still spoken, but at an undifferentiated, behavioral level, instead of clearly represented with words. Often the symptoms people come to counseling with are related to these undeveloped or constricted aspects of the self (Siegel, 2010). The ability to tolerate and regulate painful emotions is a highly complex skill that requires practice and discipline in the context of an attuning relationship (Siegel, 2011). For many who come to counseling, these complex skills can be learned in the context of the attuning relationship that we provide (Greenspan, 2007)

Responsible Self-Stewardship for Counselor and Counselee Well-Being

This column, published in the Center for Counseling and Family Studies Quarterly e-magazine, provides information on responsible self-stewardship for counselor and counselee well-being. This edition covers the use of process notes to help counselors recognize and responsibly manage personal reactions that could potentially interfere with successful treatment. A case study and implications are provided

Creative and Expressive Arts Activities to Promote Mindfulness and Peace

Briefly define creative expressive arts and mindfulness practice and discuss their importance and empirical base

Creative Exposure Treatment: Using Art Focusing to Promote Emotional Development, Emotion Regulation, and Self-Compassion

Focusing is an evidence-based counseling skill developed by Eugene Gendlin (1996). Focusing is taught and practiced across the world to promote mental health, peace, conflict resolution, creativity, and educational effectiveness (Rappaport, 2009). In this workshop attendees will learn to assess and conceptualize their own and their client\u27s (of all ages and diverse backgrounds) emotional development to promote attunement with self and others, emotional development, mind organization, affect regulation, and self-compassion in a creative, powerful, and, what I consider, a delightful manner (its fun and profoundly effective!)

Creative Arts Personal Growth Group (CAPG)

(1) CAPG Rationale(2) CAPG Theoretical Framework(3) CAPG Screening and Sessions (4). Participate in and Process a CAPG Intervention (5). CAPG Research Finding

Collaborative, creative, and diversity celebrating case conceptualization: Working with counselees to map the journey ahead

Comprehensive assessment and treatment planning are the foundation of ethical and effective counseling (Sperry, 2012) and require sensitivity to counselee’s personal and cultural contexts (ACA Code of Ethics, 2014). In this presentation, attendees learn a creative way to conceptualize and plan the therapeutic journey that is collaborative and richly meaningful

The Creative Exposure Intervention as Part of Clinical Treatment for Adolescents Exposed to Bullying and Experiencing Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms

This presentation introduces an eclectic intervention, incorporating these three techniques, designed for work with adolescents experiencing bully-related PTSD symptoms. The presentation includes a case example to illustrate Creative Exposure, which can be used in one session or across multiple sessions. This technique is intended for use by counselors with the credentials and training to provide trauma treatmen