The Thoughtful Counselor

In this episode, Drs. Romero, Interiano-Shiverdecker, and Prasath discuss their research lab and scholarly contributions to the topic of sex trafficking. They outline research findings and how they developed the CAST Lab. Implications for counselors, researchers, and educators are discussed.   For more on Devon, Claudia, & Priscilla, links from the conversation, and APA citation for this episode visit https://concept.paloaltou.edu/resources/the-thoughtful-counselor-podcast  The Thoughtful Counselor is created in partnership with Palo Alto University’s Division of Continuing & Professional Studies. Learn more at concept.paloaltou.edu

Tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) are an increasingly popular modality of therapy, especially among adolescents and young adults. One popular TTRPG is Dungeons and Dragons, a fantastical adventuring game that can address themes of connection, confidence, and self-exploration. In this episode, Julia Stamman shares her experiences as a Game Counselor facilitating virtual D&D therapy groups and provides some tips and tools for counselors who may be interested in running their own therapeutic campaigns.   For more on Julia, links from the conversation, and APA citation for this episode visit https://concept.paloaltou.edu/resources/the-thoughtful-counselor-podcast  The Thoughtful Counselor is created in partnership with Palo Alto University’s Division of Continuing & Professional Studies. Learn more at concept.paloaltou.edu

Join Dr. Dèsa Daniel and Dr. James García as they discuss health disparities in LGBTQ+ communities of color, and how mental health providers can advocate for better care and services. They also talk about their work with students, mentorship, and the importance of HIV PrEP medication. Tune in to learn more about the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals seeking affirming care, and what can be done to address these issues.   For more on James, links from the conversation, and APA citation for this episode visit https://concept.paloaltou.edu/resources/the-thoughtful-counselor-podcast  The Thoughtful Counselor is created in partnership with Palo Alto University’s Division of Continuing & Professional Studies. Learn more at concept.paloaltou.edu

In this episode, Dr. Jessica Tyler talks with Dr. Darius Green about undue police violence (UPV) and the mental health impact on our clients. We discuss the concepts of police legitimacy, UPV, and Dr. Green’s article, Undue Police Violence Toward African Americans: An Analysis of Professional Counselors’ Training and Perceptions, published in the Journal of Counseling & Development with his co-author, Dr. Amanda Evans. This episode is for counselors exploring their attitudes and beliefs on topics associated with UPV and counselors interested in actionable steps, training considerations, and barriers to social justice advocacy.   For more on Darius, links from the conversation, and APA citation for this episode visit https://concept.paloaltou.edu/resources/the-thoughtful-counselor-podcast  The Thoughtful Counselor is created in partnership with Palo Alto University’s Division of Continuing & Professional Studies. Learn more at concept.paloaltou.edu

In this podcast, Dr. Speedlin Gonzalez interviews judges from the criminal and civil courts to discuss counselors' roles in the judiciary. Three judges describe their experiences working with counselors and how valuable our work is with both arms of the law (criminal and civil). The judges also talk about the concept of therapeutic jurisprudence and how the law and counseling collaborate effectively to serve communities.   For more on Judges Speedlin Gonzalez, Huff, and Torres, links from the conversation, and APA citation for this episode visit https://concept.paloaltou.edu/resources/the-thoughtful-counselor-podcast  The Thoughtful Counselor is created in partnership with Palo Alto University’s Division of Continuing & Professional Studies. Learn more at concept.paloaltou.edu

According to the CDC there were approximately 223,135 Trauma Brain Injury (TBI) related hospitalizations in 2019. TBI has a large emotional impact on the caregivers of these individuals. In this episode Dr. Kim Jenkins-Richardson will discuss practical ways that clinicians can provide support for the caregivers of individuals with TBI.   For more on Dr. Kim Jenkins-Richardson, links from the conversation, and APA citation for this episode visit https://concept.paloaltou.edu/resources/the-thoughtful-counselor-podcast   The Thoughtful Counselor is created in partnership with Palo Alto University’s Division of Continuing & Professional Studies. Learn more at concept.paloaltou.edu

In this episode, Dr. Whitney Akers and Dr. Mickey White talk about their research and experiences disclosing queer and trans identities as counselors, educators, and supervisors. What is the role of identity disclosure in counseling? The decision-making processes are complex and nuanced. Drs. Akers and White explore the complexity of identity disclosure and the potential healing power of community, authenticity, and genuineness within counseling. For more on Whitney, links from the conversation, and APA citation for this episode visit https://concept.paloaltou.edu/resources/the-thoughtful-counselor-podcast   The Thoughtful Counselor is created in partnership with Palo Alto University’s Division of Continuing & Professional Studies. Learn more at concept.paloaltou.edu

Dèsa Daniel speaks with African American Student Services Director Brandi Stone on the generational challenges impacting leadership and students within Black communities. They process the triumphs made by Black elders who established Cultural Centers and Africana Studies during the civil rights movement. Director Stone discusses her experiences of "sitting at the table" while navigating conservative community spaces. They engage in a thoughtful conversation around mentorship, staying hopeful, and changing the question when someone tells you "no". Brandi and Dèsa explore how young Black professionals remain engaged despite the challenges they may experience.    For more on Brandi, links from the conversation, and APA citation for this episode visit https://concept.paloaltou.edu/resources/the-thoughtful-counselor-podcast   The Thoughtful Counselor is created in partnership with Palo Alto University’s Division of Continuing & Professional Studies. Learn more at concept.paloaltou.edu

In this episode, Dr. Victoria Kress shares her work in advocacy and talks about the importance of counselors engaging in professional protection. She shares her "1-minute elevator speech" and emphasizes that, as counselors, we need to build a strong professional identity. Dr. Kress imparts strategies for "little a" and "big A" advocacy, with the aim of protecting our licensure laws, increasing resources and reimbursement opportunities for counselors, and strengthening our service to clients.   For more on Victoria Kress links from the conversation, and APA citation for this episode visit https://concept.paloaltou.edu/resources/the-thoughtful-counselor-podcast The Thoughtful Counselor is created in partnership with Palo Alto University’s Division of Continuing & Professional Studies. Learn more at concept.paloaltou.edu

In this episode, Dr. Jessica Tyler talks with Dr. Lindsey Portela and Olivia Dedels, counselors and previous Division-1 athletes, to talk about athletes and mental health. With the world enjoying the entertainment of the 2022 World Cup, what are the counseling needs of this population? What are their challenges, and how has the counseling world met the needs of athletes under extraordinary pressure to perform?   For more on Lindsey and Olivia, links from the conversation, and APA citation for this episode visit https://concept.paloaltou.edu/resources/the-thoughtful-counselor-podcast The Thoughtful Counselor is created in partnership with Palo Alto University’s Division of Continuing & Professional Studies. Learn more at concept.paloaltou.edu

Raissa Miller speaks with Yale social-emotional learning researchers ZJ Ng and Jenny Seibyl about their work on school-based SEL projects. Specifically, the researchers discuss the individualized and contextualized nature of emotion regulation, highlighting eight strategies and evaluating the pros and cons of each strategy.   For more on ZJ and Jenny, links from the conversation, and APA citation for this episode visit https://concept.paloaltou.edu/resources/the-thoughtful-counselor-podcast The Thoughtful Counselor is created in partnership with Palo Alto University’s Division of Continuing & Professional Studies. Learn more at concept.paloaltou.edu    

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 conversation, and APA citation for this episode visit concept.paloaltou.edu The Thoughtful Counselor is created in partnership with Palo Alto University’s Division of Continuing & Professional Studies. Learn more at concept.paloaltou.edu

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, links from the conversation, and APA citation for this episode visit concept.paloaltou.edu The Thoughtful Counselor is created in partnership with Palo Alto University’s Division of Continuing & Professional Studies. Learn more at concept.paloaltou.edu

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 APA citation for this episode visit concept.paloaltou.edu The Thoughtful Counselor is created in partnership with Palo Alto University’s Division of Continuing & Professional Studies. Learn more at concept.paloaltou.edu

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 accessible education and care for students. This episode is for anyone interested in how they can contribute to a just world for their clients and students.   For more on Sejal, links from the conversation, and APA citation for this episode visit concept.paloaltou.edu The Thoughtful Counselor is created in partnership with Palo Alto University’s Division of Continuing & Professional Studies. Learn more at concept.paloaltou.edu

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 partnership with Palo Alto University’s Division of Continuing & Professional Studies. Learn more at concept.paloaltou.edu

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 with children and trauma.   For more on Karen, links from the conversation, and APA citation for this episode visit concept.paloaltou.edu The Thoughtful Counselor is created in partnership with Palo Alto University’s Division of Continuing & Professional Studies. Learn more at concept.paloaltou.edu

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 intuition as the foundation of science-driven therapeutic encounter.   For more on Richard and Matthew, links from the conversation, and APA citation for this episode visit concept.paloaltou.edu The Thoughtful Counselor is created in partnership with Palo Alto University’s Division of Continuing & Professional Studies. Learn more at concept.paloaltou.edu  

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 parents- can respond with empathy, curiosity, and compassion. For more on Braxton, links from the conversation, and APA citation for this episode visit concept.paloaltou.edu   The Thoughtful Counselor is created in partnership with Palo Alto University’s Division of Continuing & Professional Studies. Learn more at concept.paloaltou.edu

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 for this episode visit concept.paloaltou.edu   The Thoughtful Counselor is created in partnership with Palo Alto University’s Division of Continuing & Professional Studies. Learn more at concept.paloaltou.edu