Behavioral Health Clinic

  Many would attest that the main goal in life is to attain happiness and well-being. Psychology, as well as many other disciplines in the health/medical field, tends to focus on disorders, the negatives, problems, ailments, illnesses, disease, abnormalities, etc. instead of the opposite. This is partly due to the nature of the work, obviously, but well-being is often overlooked. There are many proactive approaches to take toward well-rounded physical and mental health and well-being, such as exercise, sleep hygiene, healthy eating, social connection, and resources, just to name a few. These do not seem to be emphasized enough and less attention seems to be placed on these proactive approaches, especially within the child and adolescent population, as opposed to reactive approaches and solutions once a problem is identified. Sometimes this can be too late, unfortunately, as there may already be too much damage. Taking a more proactive approach to health seems to make much more sens...

  Self-disclosure-the choice to share something personal as a  therapist -can be a powerful therapeutic tool when used intentionally and sparingly. Many clients appreciate moments when their therapist steps out from behind the professional wall just enough to show their humanity. When done well, self-disclosure can normalize a client’s experience, reduce shame, and strengthen the therapeutic alliance. But like any intervention, it requires care, mindfulness, and a grounding in ethics to ensure the primary focus remains on the client, not on the therapist’s desire for connection or validation. In the NASW Code of Ethics, we’re reminded that our work must prioritize  client well-being, self-determination, boundaries, and professional integrity . Those principles are the foundation for ethical self-disclosure. A therapist’s personal sharing should  never  be about meeting our own emotional needs or filling a silence with something that “feels relatable.” Instead, i...