Hello, and welcome to Counselor Weekly! Thanks again for being part of the community!

Let’s get 2024 started! Hoping this will be your best year yet!

Here's the short and skinny of today's newsletter:

• Meme of the Day

• Weekly Resource

• Interesting Articles

• Why You Should Join ACA

• Cat Photo

Until I have an official sponsor, looks like I'm the sponsor!

Are you an LPC Supervisor in Texas wanting to market your services and connect with potential Associates? Are you recently graduated from your Master’s program and beginning the search for an LPC Supervisor? If so, Find Your Supervisor is a directory for LPC Supervisors to list their information in a searchable index so that potential Supervisees can connect with them and hopefully find a perfect match! There’s even a FREE version! Though you will not get all the robust search capabilities and members only resources you receive with the paid version, the FREE option still allows you to market basic information about your practice.

What do I get in the paid version? The short answer: A LOT! CLICK HERE to access the pricing page to learn more. Just think, if you contract with one new Associate from the site, the PREMIUM plan has paid for itself for the whole year within one month. PLUS, I’m giving you a discount code to take one of my Supervisor Refresher Courses (6 hours of CEs) for FREE as part of the Premium membership. It’s almost paying for itself just with that discount.

If you have any questions, click REPLY to this email and I can answer any questions you have. Thanks again for allowing me this personal promotion! 🙏

Meme of the Day

Heard is an online accounting platform for mental health professionals. I’m scheduled for their free consult today and will provide an update next week on my thoughts.

Has anyone used Heard? If so, click REPLY to this email and let me know about your experience.

Click Here to Check It Out

What Mindfulness Does to Your Brain: The Science of Neuroplasticity

As a previous mindfulness skeptic, it seems like more and more research is confirming its benefits.

Recognizing the Signs of Emotional Trauma in Adults

After the holidays, you might find an increase in clients with emotional trauma.

How to Stop Worrying About What Others Think

Let’s face it, many therapists are “people pleasers” and can be overwhelmed with worries/thoughts of how others think of them (including clients). This article helps reframe those thoughts into a “purpose-driven identity” rather than a “performance-based identity”.

Why Should You Join ACA?

Being a member of professional organizations is another expense, and it’s not super cheap. So why bother? I know multiple therapists that choose not to join the national, state, or local chapters. When I ask why, the typical response is they don’t see any benefit. In some ways, this can feel true, but here are some reasons to join professional organizations:

1. Professional Development: it provides numerous resources and opportunities for professional development. This includes workshops, conferences, webinars, and publications that can help you stay updated on the latest research, techniques, and trends in the field of counseling.

2. Networking Opportunities: Being a part of professional organizations allows you to connect with other professionals in the counseling field. Networking can lead to valuable collaborations, mentorship opportunities, and the exchange of ideas with peers.

3. Access to Resources: offers a wide range of resources, including research journals, publications, and toolkits. These resources can enhance your knowledge base and help you stay informed about best practices in counseling.

4. Advocacy and Representation: professional organizations actively advocate for the interests of counselors at the national level. Being a member means supporting an organization that works to protect and promote the profession, as well as advocating for policies that benefit counselors and their clients.

5. Ethical Standards and Guidelines: provides a comprehensive set of ethical standards and guidelines that can help counselors navigate ethical dilemmas. Being a member means having access to these resources and staying informed about the ethical expectations of the profession.

6. Continuing Education Opportunities: Many states and licensing boards require counselors to engage in ongoing professional development. Organizations offer a variety of continuing education opportunities to help you meet these requirements and enhance your skills.

7. Discounts and Benefits: membership often comes with various discounts on conferences, workshops, and publications. These financial benefits can offset the cost of membership.

8. Community Engagement: Joining professional organizations means becoming part of a community of professionals who share common interests and challenges. Engaging with this community can provide emotional support, mentorship, and a sense of belonging.

I want to especially focus on #4 from above. Professional organizations act as our “lobbyists” in the political realm. By funding these organizations, we make sure our voice is better heard by politicians and policy makers. Look no further than the recent bill adding LPCs and LMFTs to the list of approved Medicare providers! Without the support of our professional organizations, it’s doubtful this would have happened.

Join Here!

Get out there and start accomplishing those 2024 goals!

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