Counseling News from the Week of October 10,2025
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
The following quotes are all from Richard Simmons “Nuggets of Wisdom” for Fall, 2025:
“The crowning grace of old age is influence.”
CICERO, Roman statesman
“It’s natural to be very aware of the sin of others, yet blind to your own.”
PAUL DAVID TRIPP, Pastor and author
“One of the greatest problems in human life is to have giftedness without sufficient character to bear it.”
DALLAS WILLARD, Philosopher and author
“Beware of giving up too soon. Our emotions are not reliable guides.”
JOHN PIPER, Theologian
“You can’t call yourself a leader if no one grows when you are around.”
JOHNNY C. TAYLOR, CEO of SHRM
“I’ll tell you one thing, when Jesus opens your eyes, and you finally realize who you are and who He is, it’s a whole different world.”
ALICE COOPER, Rock star
“Sin is a matter of the heart before it is ever an issue of our behavior.”
PAUL DAVID TRIPP, Pastor and Author
“Champions step up – others pray for volunteers.”
AUTHOR UNKNOWN
“Christianity is true, because it can account not only for itself but also for the rest of what we call reality.”
C.S. LEWIS, Author
“Make wisdom your provision for the journey from youth to old age, for it is a more certain support than all other possessions.”
BIAS OF PRIENE, Greek poet, philosopher and statesman
“Guard well your spare moments. They are like uncut diamonds. Discard them and their value will never be known. Improve them and they will become the brightest gems in a useful life.”
RALPH WALDO EMERSON, Poet and philosopher
“The character and career of a young person depend on how he or she spends spare time.”
OSWALD SANDERS, Author
Fascinating Facts
Nothing in this section for this week.
Counseling Articles
Adult Trans Care Under Fire: 'Devastating' Impacts for Those Who Lose Access
As more states (and Medicare and Medicaid) discontinue funding for transgender treatments and adult maintenance treatments, this situation can become precarious for individuals who have maintained a new gender identity through the use of cross-sex hormones. This article describes some of the challenges these individuals face.
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New Autism Data Challenge Long-Held Assumptions
There have been two movements to revise the autism spectrum in the recent months. The first one was reviewed in the Friday News a few months ago. This article continues to raise the question of whether there is a need for further differentiation within the autism spectrum but does so differently than the previous article. The authors say that It appears that autism that is diagnosed in childhood typically has some features that are different from features found in autistic individuals not diagnosed until in their teens or early adulthood. If you will be working in the field for the next 20 years, you probably should stay tuned to these new issues and questions.
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Autism Is Not One Disorder, New Data Show
Following up on the previous article here is an expansion of the material in that article and some new material. So this is just more evidence that the autism diagnoses need to become more differentiated as we gain more information in the coming years. Expect there to be some significant changes in the DSM-6.
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“My Autistic Child Sincerely Wanted Friends – and Finally Found Them”
This article is by a parent of an autistic child and give five helpful hints about how to help such children develop a circle of friends.
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How Curiosity Supercharges Your Memory and Cognitive Function
An interesting article on the benefits of encouraging curiosity in yourself and your children (or clients).
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Doing almost anything is better with friends, research finds
This research found what most of us already expected—almost any activity is more enjoyable when done with friends rather than when done alone.
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Top Supreme Court Cases to Watch as Justices Reconvene
I encourage us all to pray for the Supreme Court as they begin this new year. There are ten or more cases they will consider. Some are quite political, but at least one will directly affect counselors, which is the issue of whether states can ban “conversion therapy,” i.e., any attempt to counsel a person to accept their natal gender or to change their sexual orientation. Although one-half the states presently do ban this, it is widely believed that this contradicts freedom of speech, and therefore that states cannot ban it. Let’s pray for wisdom for all the decisions the Court makes.
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An Unexpected Line in the Sand
An unsettling change is occurring in American society, when 55% of left-leaning Americans now say it is justified to assassinate a sitting President. Let’s pray and hold discussions to convince others that differences of opinion should be resolved through discussion and not violence.
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Science Affirms the Power of Prayer
Most believers will not need this article, but those who are going through challenging times may. When I volunteer at the hospital I generally ask if people would like a prayer. Frequently if I see them the next day they begin by saying, “God answered that prayer!”
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Special Report: AI-Induced Psychosis: A New Frontier in Mental Health
AI has some wonderful potential, but the evidence continues to mount that present-day AI chatbots still need to continue to be improved. This research article talks about the fact that people who interact with these chatbots can sometimes become psychotic, may develop paranoid thinking, need hospitalization, or even become involved in murder-suicides.
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5 Hymns to Sing at the End of Life
Laura Story, a talented Christian singer, was asked to sing a few songs to Carl and the family as a dear friend, Carl Wilhelm passed into eternity. Here are the five songs, along with their words, of the songs she sang to Carl and his family as he passed into eternity.
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Didn’t Request a Password Reset?
This is from the Florida Consumer Newsletter, but I can’t find a hypertext link, so I’ll summarize what it says. If you didn’t request a password reset, ignore the question, because it is probably a scam to do something nefarious to your computer.
Secretary Duffy Warns of Marijuana Dangers after Study Reveals THC Levels in Fatal Car Accidents
More bad news for marijuana users. A six-year study in Ohio found that nearly half of fatal car crashes involved people driving with THC in their system, some as much as six times the legal limit. THC significantly slows reaction times, which in our crowded highways, raises dangers considerably. And the research indicates that many of these individuals were taking in marijuana shortly before driving. So please warn even recreational pot users of the dangers of using and then driving.
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My Regrets Living With Bipolar — and What They Taught Me
The author, who has bipolar disorder, identifies 15 regrets she has about things she has done and not done as she’s come to eventually accept her diagnosis and fully get involved her own recovery. A good read.
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SCOTUS Decides Whether Christian Counselors will be Able to Help Children
On Tuesday the United States Supreme Court heard a case from Colorado that has major implications for Christian counselors. Many children and teens have questions about sexual orientation and gender identity and about ½ the states have laws prohibiting licensed counselors from giving any counsel contrary to either homosexuality or transgender ideology, labelling this as “conversion therapy” and claiming it could harm children or teens. The Christian counselor who brought the lawsuit said that this law violated her free speech rights to discuss both sides of the issue. While most are cautious about predicting what way the Supreme Court will decide, those who were present for the questioning believe the majority of justices were inclined toward the fact that the Colorado law (and therefore many state laws) violate the Free Speech provision found in the First Amendment to the Constitution.
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Yahya blows up in Britain
You won’t be able to read this complete article without subscribing to the Washington Examiner, but you can read the first part of the article. The most common name given to boys in Great Britain is now Yahya, who was a very violent terrorist, who was known for his brutal rapes, killing, kidnapping and torture. The second most common name is of a soccer player known for keeping opponents from scoring by grabbing them by some of their private parts. It seems a sad indictment on a country that these are the most common names that parents are giving to their boys.
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Five types of sleep and their implications for your health
These researchers identified five types of sleep profiles, each of which was problematic for mental or physical health. Interesting that they did not identify any sleep profiles that are correlated with good mental and physical health.
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Why regular exercise is the best prescription for lifelong health
If you, or clients, are having trouble motivating yourself (or themselves) to exercise, this article from a doctor could help. He says that exercise is superior to supplements or medication for promoting health and longevity. And because there are so many ways to exercise, almost everyone can find some type of exercise they enjoy and that is not expensive. The article includes a description of the many organ systems that benefit from exercise. And we know that exercise also benefits mental health. So consider keeping this article to share with a client who needs it to supply motivation.
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The quiet grief behind hospital walls
As counselors we’re most familiar with the grief of loved ones who have been left behind. Probably most of us have not thought much about the grief that doctors and nurses must deal with when the patients they have worked with, sometimes for a short time, and sometimes for many years, pass away. I think it is worthwhile to consider that they also often grieve.
The Unacknowledged Grief Oncologists Face and the Need for Closure
An article related to the above, written by and for oncologists, who often spend months and occasionally years helping people deal with cancer.
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Social Ties Help You Live Longer. What Does That Mean for Introverts?
This is from the New York Times, so you’ll need a subscription to read it, so I’ll summarize its basic points. Although it is true that people with good social ties are likely to live longer, be healthier, stay cognitively sharper, get regular exercise and eat healthier, you don’t have to be an extreme extrovert to get these benefits. A few good relationships such as friends and family, people you ride to work with, will do. It’s recommended that you aim for four to six relationships so you’re not overly dependent on one or two persons.
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Who’s Afraid of ADHD Stimulants?
The answer is: many parents who have been bombarded with misinformation about the use of stimulants to treat ADHD. Stimulants are some of the most thoroughly researched of any medications and have been used for decades successfully with children who have ADHD. And untreated ADHD can have disadvantages. Untreated, individuals with ADHD have a typical lifespan 12 years shorter than average, and this is due to a combination of factors—greater impulsivity and inattention, more vehicle accidents, higher likelihood of substance abuse issues, and unsafe sexual practices. Untreated ADHD can also lead to serious interpersonal and financial issues. So if you have a parent of a child with ADHD who is afraid to try medication with their child, encourage them to read this article.
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It’s OK to be honest with God when we’re depressed or discouraged
You probably haven’t heard your pastor preach from Psalm 88 or from Psalm 44. These are called “Lament Psalms.” Psalm 88 was authored by Heman the Ezrahite and verses 1 and 6-18 are brutally honest about how depressed he feels. Psalm 44 recalls how God miraculously delivered his people in the past, but now He seems silent when they’re being oppressed, even though they are trying to be obedient. I wonder whether Heman may have been experiencing major depression or even bipolar depression? But one of the things these two Psalms teach us, that could be helpful in our counseling, is that when clients are going through periods of depression or discouragement, it’s okay to be honest with God. As with any loving father, honesty and vulnerability is likely to draw Him closer.
I hope you are encouraged by some of the wonderful news we’ve received this week!
Henry Virkler