For months, prior to this writing, the daily news feeds have been rife with grim updates on the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet it appears that there is a parallel pandemic occurring: that of racial discrimination unleashed because of COVID-19. Researchers at the Australian National University are inviting people to record their experiences of racism following on […]
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Ethics & Legal Issues
Counselling and Racism: Raising Our Awareness
What would be your reaction if someone you knew and respected called you a racist? Would you be gobsmacked? Bewildered as to what you could have said or done that made you seem racist? Or perhaps infuriated that someone could think that you, in all probability a staunch promoter of social justice ideals, could actually […]
- July 14, 2020
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- Counselling Theory & Process, Ethics & Legal Issues, Multicultural Issues
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Setting Up Online Counselling: Not Just a Couple of Clicks
The purpose of counselling is generally to help people learn to live in happier, more effective ways, which more often than not means helping them learn how to come together better with other people. In these pandemic-permeated times, however, we are told by authorities that the most effective means of being with others is to […]
- March 26, 2020
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- Counselling Theory & Process, Ethics & Legal Issues, Technology & Social Media
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Assessing Therapist-client Fit
Please consider these two scenarios for a moment. Scenario 1. The new client comes in and makes solid eye contact as she seats herself. You feel a surge of warmth toward her and are immediately interested. As the session progresses, you notice she is similar to you in certain unusual ways, and her passing remarks […]
- December 3, 2019
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- Counselling Dilemmas, Counselling Theory & Process, Ethics & Legal Issues
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Recognising Radicalisation Toward Extremism
If you’ve been a professional helper for a while, you have probably sensed that the fields we work in (counselling/psychotherapy, psychology, social work, etc.) have changed in recent years. As the world we live in becomes increasingly polarised, so too do the beliefs and values of people drawn to radicalisation toward extremism; for many of […]
- October 17, 2018
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- Ethics & Legal Issues, Multicultural Issues, Spirituality & Religion, Technology & Social Media
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Benefits and Pitfalls of Counsellor Self-disclosure
Your client’s voice gets very low. In the hushed tones of deep shame, he confides, “I was so depressed yesterday, like never before. This was my marriage; it was so important to me, and I failed at it.” You are suddenly on high alert. You want to rush in and assure him that you know […]
- July 5, 2018
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- Counselling Theory & Process, Ethics & Legal Issues, Supervision
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The Dangers of Teen Sexting (And How to Help Their Parents Help Them)
You may have faced this scenario before: anguished parents turn up in your rooms and plead with you for help: their cherished teenager, they find, is now sending and/or receiving sexually explicit text messages, photos, or videos. Oh, what to do? Unfortunately, this phenomenon is now common and increasing in frequency, even as the average […]
- February 22, 2018
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- Children & Adolescents, Ethics & Legal Issues, Multicultural Issues, Relationship & Families, School Counselling, Technology & Social Media
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Counselling Dilemma: Parenting Decisions
James is a 13 year old teenager in Grade 7 at school. His parents have recently divorced and share custody of James. His father Brett has noticed a shift in James’s behaviour over the last few weeks. During conversations, James is abrupt, curt and tries to avoid conversation. Most recently, James’s English teacher at school […]
- August 9, 2017
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- Children & Adolescents, Counselling Dilemmas, Ethics & Legal Issues
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Book Review: Cyberbullying: From Theory to Intervention
Völlink, T, Dehue, F & Mc Guckin, C. (2016) Cyberbullying: From theory to intervention (Current Issues in Social Psychology). United Kingdom: Routledge. Information communication technologies (ICT) are becoming a natural and normal part of day to day life for the average child and adolescent (Völlink, Dehue & Mc Guckin 2016). This first line from the […]
- July 29, 2016
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- Book Reviews, Children & Adolescents, Ethics & Legal Issues, Technology & Social Media
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Counselling Dilemma: Gambling Addiction and Social Media
You have been working as a gambling addictions counsellor for Relationships Australia for the past 5 years. You are active in the community and attend regular network meetings in your local area. One evening at a regular meeting you run into a previous client, Kobe. Kobe informs you that he has been in recovery for […]
- July 22, 2016
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- Addictions, Counselling Dilemmas, Ethics & Legal Issues, Group Work
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Counselling Dilemma: A Seizure During a Counselling Session
A client has been seeing a therapist for three months when, during one of their sessions, the therapist appears to lose focus. The client feels a little angry that the therapist is not paying attention to them. After talking for a few more minutes, the client notices that the therapist is struggling to string sentences […]
- March 24, 2016
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- Ethics & Legal Issues, Private Practice
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E-therapy: A Look at the Benefits
Most of us would not have pursued a career in mental health helping (broadly including here counselling, psychotherapy, psychology, social work, and psychiatry) if we were not aware of and keen to extend to those in need the many benefits that the face-to-face therapeutic encounter brings. Accustomed to this format, we can easily dismiss online […]
- January 28, 2016
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- Ethics & Legal Issues, Private Practice, Technology & Social Media
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Consider this Before “Friending” a Client
The same questions counsellors use to make wise decisions about dual or multiple relationships in the real world may be employed when considering the ethical consequences of engaging in an online dual relationship with a client: Is entering into a relationship in addition to the professional one necessary, or should I avoid it? Can the […]
- November 30, 2015
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- Ethics & Legal Issues, Technology & Social Media
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Counselling Dilemma: An Aggressive Partner
Kaya and Mark have been in a relationship for a little over a year now and are attending couples counselling. Halfway through the session, the therapist asks for more information about the fights they are having. Kaya reports that Mark recently pushed her into a wall, and that he sometimes viciously pulls things like her […]
- November 10, 2014
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- Counselling Dilemmas, Counselling Theory & Process, Ethics & Legal Issues, Relationship & Families
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Counselling Dilemma: An Issue of Sexuality and Boundaries
A counsellor has been working with a client over a period of 9 months assisting with inner child therapy work. During the period, the client also talks about her relationship issues, sexuality as well as a relationship with another person. The counsellor, who also happens to be in a same sex relationship and going through […]
- July 22, 2014
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- Counselling Dilemmas, Counselling Theory & Process, Ethics & Legal Issues, LGBTI Issues, Relationship & Families
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