She Was Captured by the Taliban in 2001. But God Gave Her a Bigger Story.

This is such an inspiring story that I wanted to share it with you, even though it isn’t counseling-related.  I think it encourages us all to do whatever we can to help a hurting world. Click here to read full article.

Marijuana use at historic high among college-aged adults in 2020

This article gives statistics on the use of marijuana and other drugs and alcohol among college-aged adults.  If you work with this age group it probably would be helpful information to have. Click here to read full article.

Men Prefer Telemedicine; Doctors Should Take Notice: Survey

Although this survey was done for men going to medical doctors, this might apply to preferences for counseling as well (the study was published in a psychiatry journal).  If you work with men, you might consider asking them their preferences.  And if you feel bad about your inability to get men to come for counseling, realize it's probably nothing about you that’s preventing them. Click here to read full article.

Effect of Briefing on Acupuncture Treatment Outcome Expectations, Pain, and Adverse Side Effects Among Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Normally we think that the expectations a person has about the probable effectiveness of a given treatment and the side effects it might have will influence the person’s response to treatment and the side effects they experience.  However, in this study of acupuncture for chronic low back pain when patients were randomly assigned to either a higher or lower expectations briefing beforehand and either a higher or lower briefing about possible side effects neither briefing influenced the clients’ experience of pain decrease or the likelihood of having adverse side effects. Click here to read full article.

My Colleague Is Secretly Holding Two Jobs. Should I Expose Her?

This week’s Ethicist column is interesting.  Although its probably not likely that you’ll face this issue, one of your client’s might, and could ask you for guidance.  See what you think of the Ethicist’s advice. Click here to read full article.

Fostering a Culture of Academic Integrity in Our Business Schools

Apparently cheating has become especially widespread in business schools, but I have no doubt that it is also present in the counseling field.  This also relates to one of the articles in last week’s Musings, where there was dishonesty in a research study on dishonesty.  I think it is very clear that we can’t have any kind of trusting relationship with someone if we know that some of what they tell us is not the truth.  So I think the importance of honesty and integrity is an important issue for all of us. Click here to read full article.

 To Take Notes or Not Take Notes

Clients respond differently to a counselor taking notes:  some may not mind it at all, whereas others believe the counselor is not giving them their full attention.  Here are answers from five experienced counselors, and even though they have different answers, I think their answers can help us all understand a lot of the differing and helpful approaches to that issue. Click here to read full article.

TikTok Promotes Sex, Drugs, and Alcohol to Kids, Investigation Finds

The Wall Street Journal did a careful study of TikTok feeds and the results should be concerning to every parent who has children.  Let me just quote a few sentences from the article that I hope will encourage you to read the whole article.

“Investigators for The Wall Street Journal set up 31 fake TikTok accounts registered to users between the ages of 13 and 15 and studied their “For You” feeds, which consist of videos recommended to users by TikTok’s suggestion algorithm.

TikTok showed the underage accounts thousands of videos depicting drugs, pornography and sexual content, and alcohol use, including over 100 videos promoting pornography subscription services and sex products, according to the investigation, which took place over several months.” Click here to read full article.

What’s Going on With Our Black Girls?’ Experts Warn of Rising Suicide Rates

While the suicide rate for teens is still highest for white boys, Native Americans and Alaska natives, the suicide rate for teen black girls has been rising in recent years.  This article discusses it, the common problems that often lead to a suicide attempt by girls, and a suggested solution that could be useful for counselors. Click here to read full article.

Are Hidden Brain Seizures Causing Behavioral Issues?

While most of us know something about grand mal seizures (the kind that cause epileptic attack), we are probably less clear about the symptoms associated with petit mal seizures and focal seizures.  This article has its typical advertisement for the Amen Clinic, but it's probably worth a couple minutes to become familiar with these last two types of seizures. Click here to read full article.

Damage Control: Rebuilding Your Life after a Manic Episode

When people with bipolar disorder experience a manic episode, they frequently do things that end up destroying marriages, jobs, and relationships.  Here is an article by a person with bipolar disorder who has had this happen, who gives some good advice about how to rebuild your life and relationships. Click here to read full article.

When Inconsistency Becomes a Way of Life

Another good article about counseling with, or dealing with, a person with bipolar disorder.  People with bipolar disorder often have unpredictable behavior, and this article gives some helpful pointers on how to deal with those unpredicted moments. Click here to read full article.

Exercise for 3 Minutes, Every Half-Hour, to Counter the Ill Effects of Sitting

This study could be relevant to most Americans, including counselors.  It found that exercising for three minutes every half-hour, was helpful.  Since most counseling sessions last 50 minutes, we’d have to be creative in terms of how to do that.  But at least it's some research to keep our eyes on to see what else researchers discover. Click here to read full article.

Brain Hacks for ADHD Minds at Work

Here are some techniques, written by a person with ADHD, that help him be more productive at work and that might help others, especially those with ADHD or also others with a lot of anxiety. Click here to read full article.

Prevent Porn Problems with 2 Parenting Practices: Teaching Emotional Resilience and Creating Secure Attachment

This article goes into depth on teaching parents how to foster emotional resilience and creating secure attachments with their children and how these two processes can help parents help their children to avoid porn problems.  If you work with parents (or are a parent yourself) I think you’d find this article useful. Click here to read full article.

Why Teens Stop Trying — and Achieving — at School

Although this article was written specifically in reference to boys with ADHD, my hunch is that the points would also be relevant for lots of teens and the reasons they stop trying to do well in their schoolwork. Click here to read full article.

‘Bleak’ future ahead for majority of Americans due to lower education: study

A recent Princeton study found that deaths from alcohol, drugs, and suicide (sometimes called “deaths of despair”) are occurring with increasing frequency among those students who do not get a college education. We know that an increasing percentage of males are electing not to go to college.  If you work with teens perhaps you can use this information to encourage them to not forego this part of their education. Click here to read full article.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Henry Virkler