#lmhc

[counselingcentersforcompassion]

Why Seeing a Florida Licensed Mental Health Counselor Can Change Everything

Mental health matters more than ever, and having the right support can make all the difference. A Florida Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) is trained, certified, and ready to help individuals navigate life’s challenges—whether it’s anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, trauma, or just feeling stuck.

What makes a licensed counselor different? Professional training Ethical responsibility Confidential, judgment-free care

In Florida, LMHCs are required to complete thousands of hours of supervised experience, ensuring they’re ready to provide real, effective help. Many also offer teletherapy options, making support accessible no matter where you are.

Struggling alone isn’t the only option. Healing is possible—with help from people who truly care and know how to guide you forward.

[shannonlynnin]

Adler and Goal Oriented Behavior

I enjoyed reading about Adler and his theory. Thank you, Dr Adler. 

Adler emphasizes goal-oriented behavior, which made me think about the importance of setting goals for ourselves and working hard to obtain those goals.

But what if the child is not allowed to make their own goals? What happens when your goals are made for you? 

My parents would always tell my siblings and me that we were only allowed to become a “Doctor, Lawyer, or Indian Chief.” One day, as a small child, I was in the car thinking about my future goals. I expressed to my mom that I did not want to be a Doctor, I wanted to be a Nurse. My mom pulled the car over and told me to get out.  “You are not allowed to be a nurse, you won't make any money, you WILL BE a doctor or a lawyer.” (Apparently, the Indian Chief thing was a joke.)

A parent creating a fictional finalism for their child prevents the child from setting their own goals and making their own choices. Parents who force their own goals onto their children may result in the child believing they cannot think for themselves or that they aren't smart enough to determine their future endeavors. When a child is told what they will be when they grow up and how they will do it and groomed through their life to be that, the child is not able to create their own subjective experiences. As a result, the child may feel inferior because they might believe that they will never succeed with these impossible goals that were set for them! 

A question to my colleagues: What therapeutic techniques and procedures would you consider implementing to help this client move from feeling inferior to feeling superior? 

[starryckat]

having Very Important Paperwork!!!!!!! looming on the horizon while my brain and body are very actively refusing to do anything about it is giving me continual poison damage like -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1

[trinhdrawss]

the more I learn about psychology the more I realize how much of a genius nnm is. they knew exactly what they were doing writing demonology. i will never get over how phenomenal that story is

[transdelgado]

top surgery consult next week 😁

[dsm5tr]

Butterflies are free

[askgv]

Do you find yourself stuck in life? Wondering what my purpose is? Declutter your mind and get a clear vision of the life ahead with professional counseling services from Shelby Kibler. With over 10 years of experience in human services and 5 years of experience as a therapist, I offer relationship therapy and individual therapy

[defleftist]

Just took and PASSED my state licensure exam today! I’m on my way to being a fully licensed therapist!

[my-autism-adhd-blog]

Hi! ^^ I was wondering if stimming was voluntary or involuntary? Thank you for your time! -🌹

Hi there,

Honestly, I think it could be both. But according to an article written by Erica Digap:

…stims are voluntary self-soothing behaviors that can be seen in many people, but when they’re frequent and intense, they’re most often associated with autism.

The article will be below if you’re interested in reading it.

I hope this helps answer your question. I hope you have a wonderful day/night. ♥️

[shannonlynnin]

What is a clinical mental health counselor?

A Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) is a person that went through an accredited Masters program with the curriculum that follows CACREP. LMHC’s focus is on wellness and prevention, implementing a holistic approach to counseling and effectively teaching life skills the client may have never been taught. The counselor will initially assess the emotional instability that the client is presenting and affecting their relationships, intruding on their daily life tasks. Once assessed, the counselor would diagnose the client and create a treatment plan that maps out the counselor’s and client’s goals. 

In the mid 1700s, the first asylum was opened to act as a peaceful place for the mentally ill to live. However, these “sanctuaries” eventually turned into overcrowded, abusive and unsanitary institutions. Eventually, Psychiatrists intervened and became advocates for the mentally ill. 

In the 1800s, Philosophers began theorizing the concept of the mind and the effects of the world around them. Out of Philosophy came Psychology which is also seen in Greek Mythology and Theology. Eventually, in the late 1800s Sigmund Freud coined the term conscious and unconscious mind assisting Psychiatrists in understanding the thinking processes of the mentally ill and an idea to treat the illness. 

Licensed Mental Health Counselors were not always well-regarded in the Psychology world. It was not until John F Kennedy signed the Community Mental Health Act in 1963 that opened the door for Mental Health Counselors. This Act recognized the need for counselors and prevention in our communities. After the Vietnam war, soldiers were coming home in bad shape, most showing symptoms of “shell-shock,” now known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The Community Mental Health Act helped establish community wide centers to help individuals and their families dealing with disorders such as, mental illness, for example PTSD, intellectual disabilities, such as Autism, and addiction disorders, such as substance abuse, eating disorders, gambling, etc.  It established a clear need for treatment in multiple stages, like prevention for healthy people before an issue begins, programs like DARE and suicide prevention, as well as establishing a crises hotline. Prevention during,  such as inpatient care and treatment centers and finally, prevention after treatment, continuing to learn life skills and group/individual counseling in the outpatient setting. 

In 2011, after many years of lobbying for our profession, the Department of Defense finally recognized the demand for Mental Health Counseling, finally becoming eligible to be credentialed with TriCare, the military insurance for soldiers, retired military, as well as their families.  Eventually, in 1997, Mental Health Counseling was recognized by the ACA, but not eligible for licensure until 2009. 

Licensed Mental Health Counselors have come a long way, proving to be an asset to the community. Unlike other allied professions, Mental Health Counselors focus their attention on prevention and wellness. They assist in helping to eliminate the hardship that the client or their family may be experiencing. They teach important skills such as, stress management, time management and other important life skills to alleviate the feelings of anxiety, pressure and worries. They assist in the teaching steps to take care of oneself. Often, patients that are in inpatient treatment might need to be taught necessary life skills in order to get by once they are out of treatment. Such simple tasks as waking up at a normal time, brushing their teeth, showering, even washing their dishes after they eat and not leaving them in the community sink, are just some of the elementary skills that the client can use in the “real world.” Often, mental health counseling may be short term, as once the client is functioning in daily life without emotional stress, they may not feel that therapy is still beneficial. Counselors do recommend maintenance, such as a session every month or quarterly, just to check in. 

In conclusion, as one can clearly see, it was an exceptionally long road for the Mental Health Counseling Profession but we made it! We have proven to be a respectful and needed profession in the community and I can not wait to continue my journey towards licensure in Mental Health Counseling. 

References 

Gerig, M. S. (2018). Foundations for clinical mental health counseling: An introduction to the profession. (3rd ed.) Pearson Education, Inc.

[seafoamchild]

3/20

today in therapy we talked about how i have time. i feel like i'm running out of time with everything, but i don't have to keep going down that rabbit hole. i can say hmmm, i feel like i'm running out of time, is that really true? is it helpful to ruminate about this?

she also got me a contact with someone who works in HR, who i'm excited to talk to because i keep being so wishy washy about making a decision and i feel like a big part of the indecision is that i don't understand quite what HR people do.

she told me that if i choose to go down the therapy route, i should get the LSCW, not the LMHC. and i should take the hardest test to have the most career options. i hate test taking but whatever.

i have two job interviews for more restaurants tomorrow and i have no idea what to expect, if the money will really be better or what. restaurant jobs are so competitive here, it's crazy. i honestly can't believe how little money i'm making working 5 days a week including friday and saturday nights. it's horrible. or maybe i was just spoiled with "good" serving jobs in wisconsin.

i want out of this industry so bad!

[kellynicole515]

#stitch with @Joshua Terhune, LMHC now keep in mind this timeline is of TODAY and is subject to crazy nonsensical changes at the creators whims

[ahopkins1965]



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Family

Six Family Types And Their Unique Dynamics

Medically reviewed by Andrea Brant, LMHC

UpdatedNovember 12th, 2024byBetterHelp Editorial Team

Different family types are not only common but also much more accepted than they were in the past. To define family types, we categorize families based on their structure and dynamics, such as single-parent households, nuclear families, and extended families. It's not uncommon to be raised by a single mother or be part of a mixed family. Each family type (there are six main ones that people agree on) has a unique family dynamic. 

Learning about your family type and thinking about how it affects your family dynamic can help bring you clarity about your family challenges or give you insight into the process of going through a big shift in your family structure. Looking at family type and dynamics can also give you a better idea of the strengths and weaknesses that your family is likely working with. 

Some people may also choose to begin parenting classes or online therapy to deepen their understanding of family dynamics.

Six different family types and their unique family dynamics

Though the exact definition of a family depends largely on individual interpretations and cultural norms, there are some sources that define at least six unique family types that follow their own set of dynamics and structures.

1. Nuclear family

Nuclear families, also known as elementary or traditional families, consist of two parents (usually married or common law) and their children. Nuclear families typically have one or more children; they may be biological or adopted, but the main idea is that the parents are raising their kids together in the family home.

Though nuclear families seem to be on the decline, a 2016 U.S. Census study shows that 69% of children still live in nuclear families. This is the most commonly depicted and explored family type.

Nuclear families can be strong and successful, with both parents being great examples for their kids. These kids often have many advantages over other families with less, which can help them get ahead in life. However, like any family, nuclear families have their struggles to face. For example, if parents shut out grandparents and other extended family, chances are their support system will not be strong and getting through hard times can be challenging.



Want to work with an expert to improve your family dynamics?

Match with a family therapist online

Strengths of nuclear families

Financially stable, both parents usually work now

Children raised in a stable parenting situation

Consistency

Emphasis on health and education

Focus on communication

Weaknesses of nuclear families

Exclusion of extended family can lead to isolation and stress

Can struggle with conflict resolution

Nuclear families can become too child-focused, resulting in self-centered children and families neglecting other important things

2. Single parent

Single-parent families consist of one parent with one or more kids. In these cases, the parent either never married, widowed, or divorced. A paper by Ellwood, D.T., and Jencks, C. (2004) talks about how single-parent families have been on the rise since the 1960s when divorce rates started going up (and so did births happening out of wedlock). They suggest that these changes could be due to many different factors, from leaving behind outdated gender roles to feeling comfortable being independent and achieving the goal of raising a child, regardless of the presence of a spouse or not.

Someone who is single parenting and raising kids alone is not that uncommon anymore, and like any other family type, single-parent homes have their pros and cons. Being a single parent raising kids can be hard. It can also be hard being a kid when your parents are split up or if you grew up only knowing one parent. In this situation, families need to make the best of what they have and rely on each other for love and support. 

Strengths of single-parent families

Family can become very close

Learn to household duties

Children and parents can become very resilient

Weaknesses of single-parent families

Families may have difficulty getting by on one income

It can be difficult for single parents to work full-time and still afford quality childcare

Getty/MoMo Productions

When you are struggling with family conflict, how do you find solutions?

Talk to my family to find a solution togetherReach out to someone I trust (outside of family)Ignore the conflictDo a fun family activity

Total votes:0Your vote has been added.

3. Extended family

While most people in the U.S. would identify nuclear families as being the "traditional" family type, in different cultures, extended families are much more common and have been around for hundreds of years. Extended families are families with two or more adults who are related through blood or marriage, usually along with children. This often includes aunts, uncles, cousins, or other relatives living under the same roof.

Typically, extended families live together for social support and to achieve common goals. For example, parents may live with their children and their children's grandparents. This gives the family the ability to provide care for their elderly, and in turn, the grandparents may be able to help with childcare while the parents are at work.

In North America, extended families living together isn't that common, but it does happen occasionally. What's nice about extended families is how close they can be and how they give each other a lot of support. That doesn't mean that so much family living together is always easy, though. There can be differences in opinion in extended families, and some people might live this way because they are obligated, not because they want to.

Strengths of extended families

Things like respect and care for the elderly are important

More family around to help with chores, child care, in case of emergencies, etc.

Social support

Weaknesses of extended families

Financial issues can occur if parents are supporting several other adults and children without any extra income

Lack of secludedness depending on the living environment

4. Childless family

Childless families are families with two partners who cannot have or don't want kids. In the world of family types and dynamics, these families are often forgotten or left out (even though you can still have a family without children). In the past, growing up, getting married, and having children was the norm, but in today's world, more people are choosing to postpone having children or deciding not to have any.

These unique families include working couples who may have pets or enjoy taking on other people's kids (like nieces and nephews) for the day occasionally rather than having their own. They could also be adventurous couples who don't feel like kids would be a good fit for their lifestyle. These relationships can be between wife and husband, husband and husband, wife and wife, or partner and partner.

The decision of whether to have kids is a difficult and highly personal one. Having kids isn't for everyone, and some families do great without them. Still, it's important to remember that some childless families are not childless because they want to be. Be kind before you assume about someone's family unit, as a number of people may be in a childless family due to infertility, or have sensitivity regarding the topic of children in general.

Getty

Want to work with an expert to improve your family dynamics?

Match with a family therapist online

Strengths of childless families

Typically have more disposable income

No dependents to take care of

Have more freedom to travel, go on adventures, pursue different careers or education

Couples get to spend more time together

Weaknesses of childless families

Couples can feel isolated or left out when all their friends/family start having kids

If you like kids, you can feel like something is missing

Infertility can force a family to be childless, which can be hard for couples

5. Stepfamily

A stepfamily is when two separate families merge into one. This can go several different ways, like two divorced parents with one or more children blending families, or one divorced parent with kids marrying someone who has never been married and has no kids.

Like single-parent families, step-families have become more common over the years. Like all these different family types, stepfamilies also have a unique set of strengths and weaknesses that they need to deal with.

Going from a nuclear or single-parent family to a stepfamily can be a tough transition. It can be hard letting new people into your family dynamic, especially welcoming in a whole other family. Over time though, some children will come to accept their stepparents and step-siblings as part of the family and form strong bonds. This often also requires co-parenting of adoptive kids and can increase the number of people each partner has to look after or care for in the family unit. 

Co-parenting is somewhat different from parallel parenting. Even if both procedures allow both parents to be in charge of custody and parental obligations, co-parenting entails cooperation, plenty of communication, and a collaborative approach to parenting, compared to parallel parenting wherein there's limited direct contact with each other. Step-grand-parents might also be involved in this dynamic, as there are many variations and a wide spread of how far a stepfamily can go.

Strengths of stepfamilies

Children get the benefit of having two parents around

Children and their new siblings or step-parents can form strong bonds

The benefit of having two incomes compared to single-parent families

Weaknesses of stepfamilies

Adjustment can be difficult for parents and children

Parents can run into problems trying to discipline each other's kids

May lack discipline or be inconsistent

6. Grandparent family

The final family type is the grandparent family. A grandparent family is when one or more grandparent is raising their grandchild or grandchildren. While uncommon, according to the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, grandparent-headed families are on the rise. They that, "Census study indicate that in the United States approximately 2.4 million grandparents are raising 4.5 million children."

This situation happens when the parents aren't around to take care of their kids or are incapable of properly taking care of their kids. For example, the parents might be incarcerated, too young to provide, may have a substance use disorder, or possibly due to the parent’s death. Thankfully, in these situations, the grandparents step up and act as parents to their grandchildren. This family unit can happen regardless of being wealthy, poor, or middle-class. 

If you are struggling with substance use, contact the SAMHSA National Helpline at (800) 662-4357 to receive support and resources. Support is available 24/7.

It can be hard for grandparents to raise their grandchildren. In most cases, they probably thought they were done raising kids and might not have the health and energy to do so. Still, when needed, many grandparents step up and do what's needed. 

Strengths of grandparent families

Grandparents and grandchildren form a close bond

Keeps children from ending up in foster homes or other situations

Weaknesses of grandparent families

Grandparents may not work or have full-time jobs, may struggle with income

Depending on their health, it may be difficult for them to keep up with young children or discipline them as they get older

Takeaway

Therapy (family or individual) can help those struggling with changes in family type/dynamics. Online counseling services like BetterHelp can provide an outlet for people who are going through a difficult time with their family. Whether you want to know more about the psychology behind family dynamics, about polygamous families, or just find a place to discuss what category you think your family fits into, online therapy is a great place to start.

Online therapy can be an especially good option for families for whom travel is difficult or who would rather meet in the comfort of their home to discuss their concerns and work together to improve their family dynamics. Research suggests that online therapy is just as effective as its in-person counterpart for a range of concerns and treatments, meaning that you don’t have to compromise on the quality of your care for its convenience.

Whether you are in a same-sex family, have interracial relationship history, a binuclear family, a multigenerational family unit, or have parents who are polyamorous, have a large family, or have a small one, each family is unique in its own way.

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[emerypilled]

Mindscape characters and their college majors!

Emery: psych major neuroscience minor for undergrad, clinical psych masters, clinical neuropsych phd

Simon: biochem major neuroscience minor for undergrad, med school, specializing in psychopharmacology

Domini: current undergrad student majoring in religious studies with a minor in psych

Sylvia: current undergrad student majoring in criminal justice and psych

Nol: psych major illustration minor, taking a gap year before going for his masters in clinical psych to become a lmhc specializing in art therapy

Chi: fine arts major on a football scholarship

Hao: archaeology major with a history minor, pursuing masters in coastal archaeology

Ieisha: psych major bio minor

Lupe: comp sci major

Salvador: majored in religious studies before going to seminary school

Noah: music major at a conservatory

Nkiru: psych major/Spanish minor as an undergrad, got her masters and became a lcsw

Kanu: art history major with art admin minor for bachelors, currently in grad school for art admin

Toni: bioengineering major for undergrad, doing masters in bioengineering as well

[monriatitans]

AUTISM ACCEPTANCE MONTH QUOTE 13

Wednesday, April 24, 2024

“Let’s become informed consumers and keep school professionals and private providers accountable for their work and how it affects autistic children’s mental health. Where do I stand? I am against ableist and abusive practices that harm ND children. I am not anti any specific professional field. I am for clinically informed, neurodiversity-affirming practices that are delivered with understanding of a specific condition, with clinical and developmental grounding, and with understanding of the child and the family.” – Yulika Forman, PhD, LMHC, "What Practices Are Abusive For Autistic Children?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Check out Different Brains, who “strives to encourage understanding & acceptance of individuals who have variations in brain function and social behaviors known as neurodiversity”. Interested in seeing where the quote came from? If so, check out their Instagram post here! For the curious, the purpose of this series of quotes can be found here! Enjoy what I do? Please consider supporting via the WGS Ko-fi! Like what you see and want to know when there’s more? Click here to subscribe for updates!

For more about MonriaTitans, click here! Watch MonriaTitans on Twitch and YouTube! The image was made with the Quotes Creator App!

[garellekcounseling1]

Empowering Parents with Expert Guidance—Garellek Counseling

Struggling with parenting challenges? Garellek Counseling offers professional parent consulting services to help you navigate behavioral issues, communication gaps, and emotional stress in your child’s life. Led by Akiva Garellek, MA, LMHC, our team provides compassionate, tailored strategies for families across Florida and New York. Whether it’s early childhood development or teenage transitions, our experienced therapists support parents every step of the way. Trust Garellek Counseling to bring clarity, confidence, and connection to your parenting journey.