Counseling News from the Week of August 8,2025

Explanation: Although I scan the Internet primarily for counseling articles, in the process I run across quotes and interesting facts that I sometimes include in these first two sections. If you’re just interested in the counseling articles, you can skip these first two sections and go directly to the section called Counseling Articles. HV

Interesting Quotes

"No one has ever become poor by giving."

Anne Frank

Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

“If one does not know to which port one is sailing, no wind is favorable.”

Seneca the Younger

"There is no way around hard work. Embrace it."

Roger Federer

Fascinating Facts

7 Animal Instincts That Seem Supernatural (But Aren’t)

Interesting article about 7 ways that one or another species seems to be able to predict important changes that are important to human and animal life.

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Hummingbirds Migrate Thousands of Miles Every Year

Although this is clearly not counseling-related, hummingbirds are fascinating. They weigh less than ¼ of an ounce, yet they can fly 20 hours without stopping. They can flap their wings 80 times per second, and their hearts beat 1260 times per minute while on their migration flights. They often return to the same locations year after year, and even their children can find those locations even though they’ve never been there before. Fascinating!

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Tulsi Gabbard Acknowledges Possibility of Aliens, Pledges Public Updates

“Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has said she believes extraterrestrial aliens may exist and acknowledges that the U.S. government holds classified information on the subject. She pledged to share disclosures from ongoing investigations into UFOs.”

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Counseling Articles

Scientists Identify Daily Routines That May Slow Cognitive Decline

An interesting study that reinforces what we have heard before—that when older people watch their nutrition, stay mentally active, and stay engaged in life it lowers their cognitive decline measurably.

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Chocolate Isn’t Heart-Healthy

For many years we have heard that chocolate is heart-healthy because of its antioxidants. While chocolate is good, and some is probably not detrimental to your health, modern chocolate is packed with sugar and fats, which counterbalances the benefits of the antioxidants. So enjoy an occasional chocolate treat: just don’t expect it to lengthen your life.

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Transhumanism is a Christian Heresy (and a False Gospel)

Although this isn’t a counseling article, it contains a summary of a discussion between Ross Douthat and Peter Thiel and so is interesting because of that.

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3 Clarifying Principles for Raising a Child with ADHD

If you’re working with parents who have just learned that their child has ADHD, here are three good introductory principles to talk with them about.

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Cannabis and Lung Cancer: A Link Stronger Than It Appears

Earlier studies suggested that marijuana was a healthier alternative to smoking cigarettes. While long-term cannabis use is just starting to show it’s results now, the early results are that regular cannabis use exposes the lungs to several cancer-causing chemicals, and because cannabis users frequently inhale cannabis smoke deeply, the increasing link between cannabis use and lung cancer is likely to grow quickly in the years ahead. So for many reasons clients need to be aware that it is not wise to use cannabis recreationally.

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We’ve Forgotten Our Purpose—And the Data Proves It

An article written by a woman who, like many, prioritized career over having a family. But she has now been able to have a family and realizes the importance of helping young couples think through their priorities.

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Anger Issues

If you have a client who struggles with anger issues and holding onto bitterness, this short article by Richard Simmons might be a helpful catalyst to start a discussion about that issue.

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Do people choose same-sex attraction?

The issue of same sex attraction is one within our general culture and within the Christian church. This author reminds us that we all face sexual attractions that God calls us to resist. He does take the position that same-sex attraction is not God’s desire for us. I do know of some same sex attracted individuals whom I view as having a strong Christian commitment, and some whom I view as close friends. But I encourage you to read this article and pray about what you think is a biblical answer to this question.

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Is college worth it today?

For those of you counseling young people who are considering whether or not to go to college, and if so, which college to choose, this is probably a worthwhile article to read. About ¼ of college graduates believe their college investment and the expenses involved were not worth it. Some alternatives to college are worth considering, but I think helping young people choose a college that will prepare them adequately for the career they are heading for is important. With the advent of AI, the need for people trained in technological skills is surging.

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AI companions replace real friends for many teens

50% of teens say they are consulting AI regularly for advice, emotional support and even simulated relationships. Concerns have been voiced about AI including no effective content moderation, and limited tools for identifying signs of crisis, some instances of AI leading to sexual role-playing, and occasional examples of AI giving harmful advice to young people in crisis. It’s probably wise to encourage parents to talk with children about the pros and cons of using AI in this way, and for counselors to talk with young clients about this issue.

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The Cass Review: Final Report

The issue of transgender treatment is coming up again as 13 states sue the Trump administration because it has put the brakes on transgender treatments for children and teens under 18, saying that children and young teens are not prepared to make life-altering treatments about their sexuality and fertility at young ages. The Cass Report, considered by many to be an objective, medically thorough review, is what caused Great Britain to stop their transgender program for children and adolescents, and most if not all of the countries in Europe that had previously been offering medical transgender hormones and surgeries have pared these back to experimental treatments only. But here in the U.S. several of the major professional groups continue to support these treatments, and thirteen states have sued the Trump administration for its cutbacks. However, many are suggesting counseling for children and teens who are struggling with identity issues as preferrable to permanent life-altering treatments before one reaches adulthood. In case you are interested in reading the Cass Report and haven’t already read it, I’m including the hypertext link below to first a summary, and then another link within that summary to the full report.

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Fraudulent Scientific Papers Are Rapidly Increasing, Study Finds

This article is from the New York Times, so you won’t be able to read it without a subscription, so I’ll include a summary: “A statistical analysis found that the number of fake journal articles being churned out by “paper mills” is doubling every year and a half.”

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Q&A: Is It Worth Seeking an ADHD Diagnosis After 50?

Some older people may wonder whether they have ADHD but ask themselves whether it is worth it to seek a diagnosis so late in life. This article addresses this question and gives some good answers.

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Da Vinci Malfunctions: How Safe Is Robotic Surgery?

In case you or a loved one are going to need surgery, you may have the option of robotic surgery. You might wonder, is it safe? The results found in this metanalysis of 122 studies of different types of surgery from several countries, found that although robotic surgery takes slightly longer than traditional surgery, there is less blood loss, fewer complications, shorter hospital stays, and lower mortality. So if your surgeon recommends robotic surgery rather than traditional surgery and is adequately trained in it, the research encourages you to give it a try.

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Why Early to Bed and Early to Rise Is Wise–Regardless of Your Chronotype

While some people may prefer an earlier or later bedtime and wake-up time, this article compiles research that suggests that earlier bedtimes and wake-up times are healthier for the majority of persons, and includes a few suggestions about how to shift your bedtime routine if you decide to do so.

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 What is "AI Psychosis"?

Well, this isn’t in the DSM yet, but it may appear in future versions. Apparently a small percentage of people who use AI chatbots regularly may be prone to this psychological phenomenon, which can involve delusions and distorted beliefs.

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“What Are the Best Planners for ADHD Brains? Paper or Digital?”

This person, who has worked with students with ADHD using both paper and digital planners, explains why she believes paper planners are better for these students.

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Be On Time! Teaching Sequence and Schedules

Many children have difficulty being on time, but children with ADHD reportedly have more difficulty. Learning these skills can prevent problems throughout life. While this article’s headline focuses on time, the practices suggested in it would probably help ADHD children (and many other children) in a variety of ways.

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The Transformative Power of Weekly Family Meetings

An interesting article about how one family started to have weekly family meetings, how they revised their process, and how now this has blossomed into a national movement that many families have adopted.

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8 Expert Tips to Anticipate and Cope With Bipolar Mood Swings

If you’ve completed a master’s degree in one of the counseling specialties you’ve probably hear all these recommendations, but if you’d like them compiled in one place to give to a newly-diagnosed person, here is a good compilation.

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Why a Safety Plan Can Be a Lifeline During Bipolar Mood Episodes

Everyone diagnosed with bipolar disorder needs a safety plan for a new mood episode will definitely come, and when in the midst of it, it’s hard to make the wisest decisions. This veteran of bipolar disorders shares what should be included in a safety plan.

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When Your Teen’s Tongue Turns Toxic

Many parents have had the experience of being cussed out by their teen son or daughter. Mark Gregston gives some good suggestions to parents that you might want to share with parents and then use that to open a dialogue with the parents about how to respond when that happens.

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Who said Gen Z is walking away from faith? They loudly want Jesus

I didn’t include articles like this at first because I wanted to know if this trend would continue, but apparently it has been for many months. This article compiles several of the manifestations that there is a spiritual resurgence among many of our young people.

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A Book Recommended for Every Christian Counselor and Parent of Children and Teens

[I included this summary and recommendation a few months ago, but the book is now available on Amazon as either an e-book or a soft-cover book.]

Probably one of the most anxious concerns of Christian parents today is that their child will come home from school and announce that they were born in the wrong body. The transgender phenomenon has swept through Europe and is now in the United States. Most parents are unprepared for this happening, many families have been torn apart by this conflict, and in some states children have been removed from their homes and parents have lost custody if they have refused to affirm their child’s new identity.

Even though a half dozen of the European countries that had previously championed the transgender movement have now decided that further research needs to be done before encouraging children to enter this path, and an intensive four-year study in Great Britain (the Cass Report) has caused that country to prohibit counselors from encouraging children to pursue a transgender process, the U.S. still lags in recognizing the paucity of research supporting this phenomenon. And if parents seek counseling for their children, a majority of secular and school counselors will encourage their children to pursue the transgender protocol (puberty-suppressing drugs, then cross-sex hormones, then sex-change surgery).

However, a new book, Answers of Gender Madness, helps parents to see that they need not go along with this new trend. Including both solid Christian teaching and well-documented research, it helps parents know that they can remain loving and patient with their children without giving into to their children’s ideas, and that during puberty between 75 and 85% of children will return to affirming the gender they were born with. And the warning that refusing to affirm the child’s new gender will lead to suicide has been thoroughly debunked.

In addition to giving practical guidance this book will connect them with resources (professional counselors and parent groups) who will support them as they navigate this sometimes-difficult transition. The book is written by Christine Sneeringer, who earned an advanced degree in counseling at Palm Beach Atlantic University and a theology degree from Oxford. This issue is personal for her as she walked through her own battle with gender dysphoria. For every parent of young children and for every Christian counselor (even if your specialty is not children) I think the information is so important that we should all read it. This short book (about 100 pages) can be ordered from her ministry's website Gender Madness book or from the Amazon website.

Hope you have a wonderful week!

Henry Virkler