Why I Didn’t Become a Physical Therapist, the Class President, or a Frat Boy

02.18.2013

In my personal life, often times people will ask how I became a counselor. I usually share that my intentions going into college were to go into physical therapy while majoring in psychology. Well, it turns out that the pre-PT science classes and I did not get along, but, go figure, I had no problems in my neuroscience classes. So I made the decision to let go of PT, and fully explore what my options were, which led me to social work. My original goal had been to help people recuperate from physical injuries. For the past ten years, I’ve been helping people achieve a different kind of healing, and also to maximize their potential, transform, and find answers/solutions. Read the rest of this entry »

Transitions: Back to School

08.08.2012
*a more personal blog post

Growing up in a college town, my friends and I always had front row seats to the ebb and flow of the student population. In fall, the mass arrival. In spring, the mass exodus. And then one summer it was my family’s turn to pack our car to the gills to drop off the firstborn at college.

 

My dad drove the car, I rode shotgun, and my mom sat in the back. The exact travel logistics escape me other than a 4 hour drive to school consisted of also trying to find a hotel room to stay in the night before check in. Why we didn’t just leave early the next day, I’m not sure. Hotels were either booked up or too expensive for a night. So we just slept in the car of a rest stop. The quick drive the next morning consisted of sniffles from the back. At the time I wasn’t sure sure why my mom was crying, or why she even decided to come if she was going to get all emotional–that’s what I thought to myself.

 

Arriving to my new dorm and unpacking my belongings with my parents was a bit embarrassing, but then again everyone’s parents were doing the same thing. Of course I never thought my parents were as cool as everyone else. When my parents finally left, I felt much excitement in my new independence and freedom, the very things I had longed for embracing in my new chapter in life.

Summertime: A Season of Action

06.04.2012

I’ve always been a fan of George Gershwin’s song Summertime from Porgy and Bess(although DJ Jazzy Jeff and Fresh Prince’s ain’t bad). Is it not true, “Summertime and the livin’ is easy. . .So hush little baby don’t you cry.” As we usher in a new season of grilling, swimming pools, hot weather and summer trips, it’s generally a positive and happy time for all.

Summertime Is Grilling Time....In Lego City

 

Students often kick back and relax during the summer, putting off their summer reading list and hanging out with friends. Many adults tend to take their vacation time during the summer months to spend time with their family, enjoy the nice weather, or take the trip they have been planning all year for. Our friends in Europe simply all vacation at the same time during the month of August. Business and productivity is generally down in the summer months, and that’s just fine because that’s part of summer and living easy.

 

Many counselors also take advantage of the summers to travel, relax, and spend time with friends and family. Some of this may be by design, and for others it may just be due to “summer syndrome:” a good majority of their clients are feeling better, are on vacation, or living easy.

 

There is much to love about warmer weather, increased hours of daylight, and spending more time outdoors, all of these things contribute to better lifestyle, and better mental health. On the flip side my colleagues and I fully prepare for the return of old clients, new clients and referrals once the days become shorter, school begins, and the holidays season quickly approaching.

 

Summertime is naturally a great time to be “livin’ easy,” but that doesn’t mean there isn’t room to “work hard, and play hard” as well. I would like to propose(and challenge) that summertime can also be a great time for dynamic change for the following reasons:

    1. Being proactive in the summer can prepare and pave the way for a successful fall and holiday season
    2. Due to the general fun summer activities, the balance of doing introspective work on self, and balancing with self care is easier than other seasons
    3. It’s very possible there is more availability for appointments with a counselor in the month of June than in October
    4. No one has ever regretted planning ahead or being proactive

 

Allow me to be a part of your proactive process this summer by reaching out to me today.

 

photo credit: bootoyz

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