Be True to Yourself (Counselor Conversation)

Cookies, Learning and Counselor Conversation   Introduction In meeting with Counselor and Dietitian, Angela Pham,  there is a sense that she works to be true to herself in both following her passion and what feels right for her.  She shared also about learning from what her children mirror to her as a mother. There was […]

Leaning into Learning (A Counseling Interns Learning Journey)

Leaning Into Learning (A Counselor Interns Learning Journey)  For this Life’s Learning blog series, Rubjoyt Singh, Master Level Counseling Intern (Gonzaga University)  will share about her learning journey as she transitions into her role as a counselor.  I have the honor to have her join my practice until June of 2020.  I may also write […]

Advocating for Connection (Counselor Conversation)

Kayla Hicks and Joeleen Wilkinson of Charmed Counseling Cookies, Learning and Conversation  In my conversation with Joeleen Wilkinson of Charmed Counseling, it struck me how much she advocates for relational connection. Whether it be with prioritizing her family.  Or in her approach around advocating for kids and families and encouraging the importance of relationships, of community […]

Counselor’s and Parallel Learning (Counselor Conversation)

Cookies, Learning and Conversation  The learning from this Counselor Conversation was a reminder about how our personal learning contributes to and often is parallel to what we bring to our work with clients.  And that in our own humanness we have so much to offer. For this cookie delivery, I had the pleasure to sit […]

Nurturing Self Presence (Counselor Conversation)

Cookies, Learning and Conversation When I put out the word that I plan to bake cookies and deliver these to counselors, my friend and colleague, Dr. Marilyn Sears, PhD, LMFT sent me a message to ask me to lunch.  The day we met, she brought her favorite cookies.  She smiled at me and shared, “ I […]

Friendship and Listening to Our Inner Counselor Voice (Counselor Conversation)

Cookies, Learning and Counselor Conversation  I had the honor to sit down with counselor, Jan Vetter at her private practice in the Spokane Valley for my Counselor Conversation series.  I brought home baked cookies (see recipe below).  My goals with these conversations are to meet counselors, develop relationships, learn about them and their work and […]

Learning over Cookies and Conversation

As a part of the Counselor Conversations I facilitate, I wanted to connect to local colleagues, to get to know them and to give back to a profession that often goes unrecognized. I have a love for baking, both in the tasting and the sharing. It is a win-win that I get to do both […]

A Thought Shifting Question: What are the Possibilities?

“What are the possibilities?” This is a simple question, yet it is a powerful one.   This is something I ask myself routinely in my own life.   I also find this useful both as a counselor and clinical supervisor. It packs with it, the possibilities of creative problem solving, hope building and a grounding calm. It […]

Nurture the good thoughts!

What we focus on with our thoughts has the potential to sprout, grow and can guide us in our choices.  Metaphorically, if we water the weeds (negative, painful thinking, not seeing possibilities, feeling isolated and alone, etc), then weeds overcome our lives.  If we water the flowers (positive thoughts. looking for possibilities, gratefulness, sitting with the feelings, […]

Dichotomous Musings of Autumn . . . and Life

A list of Dichotomous offerings from my walk this morning: My breath in the cool air and the sunlight beaming down. The field with frost and flowers still growing in my neighbors yards. The cool chill and the rush of warm air when I walk into our home. Chilly versus cozy. And lots of other wonderings […]