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It does. Depending on your needs and budget, you can get away with wordpress.com and using the personal plan upgrade (like $5/mo).
If you need more than that, I would go with an actual host like fatcow or the like.
I'm certain if you called a few web developers in your town you'd be able to find one that offers hosting on a shared plan and includes initial setup of a wordpress install for a low cost. It's a pretty common setup here, I don't think that is unique to our local region. If you can't find anyone in your area, PM me, I do that kind of stuff all the time for clients who want to make their own site without having to learn how to install the core files.
If you just want to be able to direct your clients to your site, Weebly gives you pretty websites without much of a learning curve.
If you want people to be able to find you by searching something like "therapy Your City", go with WordPress.
Weebly has absolutely horrible SEO. I'm currently remaking a clients site that was originally done with Weebly by a friend of hers. Even when I directly search her business name and city, she doesn't come up on search results. That's unacceptable, yet she's been paying monthly for the privilege of not being found.
WordPress has a slightly higher learning curve, but once it's set up you can add blog posts easily. People will find you and you don't have to pay a monthly ransom to keep your site live.
A few other notes: -go to Google My Business and list yourself there. -as much as I hate saying it, make a page on Facebook as well. You can just post links to your blog posts and thoughts, inspiration, etc. -learn how to be comfortable asking clients for recommendations, testimonials, etc. You can share the testimonials on your website and make images with them to post on Facebook and add to your Google listing as business photos
You may be able to join Facebook groups if you look up some combination of North Carolina LCMHC/mental health/therapists etc. and post about NCE tutoring and see if anyone might be interested in your area. I would highly suggest this book and this website for studying. Good luck!!! :)
This good book has an entire chapter dedicated to "I don't know" - "Effective Techniques for Dealing With Highly Resistant Clients"
Is it this one?
I had insomnia for a solid year. It was a downward spiral of feeling worse, worse function during the day, worse anxiety, and worse sleep. I started to dread going to bed at all. Eventually, I was getting about 4 hours of sleep per night.
So, I know CBT-i is popular, but it made my insomnia worse. That's just my personal experience, I know it works for lots of people. Definitely not for me.
What made the difference for me was an ACT based program called The Sleep School. Guy Meadows, PhD also has a book on amazon, The Sleep Book, but I haven't I read it. The app (it was actually a web app back when I used it) was the way I went.
What was fascinating to me was that, given that it was acceptance based, it went in the opposite direction of everything I'd ever read about insomnia treatment (bedtime routines, not using your bed for anything but sleep, sleep restriction, ect.) So, if you like ACT/contextual behavioral science, or you're looking for a different approach, it might be worth a shot.
For me, following the program, I started to get about a half hour more sleep per night, about every 2-3 weeks. Some nights that would be falling asleep earlier, some nights that was not waking up, or waking up less. Other nights it was sleeping until my alarm. So, it took me months to go from the 4 hours per night I had been getting, to the 8-8.5 hours I get now.
I still have an odd night of not sleeping well, or once in a while I'll wake up for a little while. So, some nights I'm only getting like 7 hours. But that's way better than 4, and my average is still like 8.
Again, just my experience. It might not be the thing for you, but it made a huge difference for me.
this workbook would be one of the best clinical purchases you could make: https://www.amazon.com/Training-Treating-Borderline-Personality-Disorder/dp/0898620341
it's written for BPD clients but is honestly applicable to any presenting problem!
I have siatica and back issues and finally started used my wife's kneeling chair. So so so much better on my back: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.amazon.com/DRAGONN-Ergonomic-Kneeling-Adjustable-Office/dp/B073ZN7B52&ved=2ahUKEwjv5Zya5Kv4AhX9FzQIHZerAOEQFnoECCIQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1eh8spD9BpZhuYMtNTntmg
Note: I have no financial interest in this product or link
What can you share about your in person clinical approach? That will inform how you work virtually.
Definitely check out Digital Play Therapy by Dr. Jessica Stone.
Effective Techniques for Dealing with Highly Resistant Clients is a great book that may be helpful to you for this clients and others who are "resistant." :)
This is a great book:
Attachment Disturbances in Adults: Treatment for Comprehensive Repair
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26531469-attachment-disturbances-in-adults (RIP Dr Brown who passed away recently from Parkinson's).
Thank you for the book recommendation! For anyone else looking, here's a link to it on amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Its-All-Your-Head-Imaginary/dp/0701189266
Was also going to recommend CPT.
You could also look into STAIR with narrative storytelling. This book is great if you go that route: Treating Survivors of Childhood Abuse and Interpersonal Trauma
Freud may be foundationally relevant to modern psychodynamic theory but that doesn't mean that the reputation and effectiveness of psychodynamic therapy is tied to "Freudian psychodynamics." I've completed two years of a fellowship at a psychoanalytic institute and Freud is barely mentioned. The type of psychodynamic theory that was taught and consulted on - family/parent/friend interpersonal history/dynamics explored with a focus on the therapeutic relationship as a vehicle for healing and change - is not what Freud was doing. To be frank, your critiques of the practice mimic those who don't have the curiosity or bandwidth to properly explore what psychodynamic therapists actually do. I have also found that psychodynamic intervention works quite well at most lengths of treatment outside of 1-3 session interventions.
I can see how practitioners who need to adopt a medical model for their own personal insecurities about the practice of therapy may be attracted to the shiny 6-8 session CBT interventions (and subsequently, clients looking for a quick fix) despite the gaping holes and bias in the research that "validates" the practice.
I found this to be a decent resource with questions similar to what's on the exam: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999818422?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
I had another study guide from a company called Mometrix (can't link because it was a hand-me-down from a classmate). The information in it was decent, but the practice exam in it was NOTHING like the actual exam. A huge proportion of the actual exam questions were little case vignettes with accompanying questions like "what is the FIRST thing the therapist would do in this situation?" or "what is the PRIMARY goal for x type of therapist with this family?" And honestly, I do not know how you study for that! It felt frustratingly subjective.
I also did take the AMFTRB official practice exam, and that was pretty helpful!
So when one of my third graders doesn't get to celebrate their birthday at the jump park because their mom is waiting to get her car fixed until she gets her tax return...I guess I'll ignore their very real disappointment and anxiety about finances over which they have no control and just tell them I'm taking a vacation with my $980 biweekly agency pay 🫠
Not everyone getting therapy is financially stable, and the stress of that ripples throughout families. I recommend reading a book before you make another comment. I'd start with this one: The Working Poor: Invisible in America https://www.amazon.com/dp/0375708219/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_319Q5AB6VEZXF0G1R4XY
I formerly worked on a trauma disorders unit that specialized in DID. IFS wasn't really used at the time, though acknowledgement and working with alters/states/parts was, as well as CBT, DBT, and mindfulness. Below is a book that was used on the unit by patients. Great place to start out for DID work, which may be different than an IFS approach..
https://www.amazon.com/Coping-Trauma-Related-Dissociation-Interpersonal-Neurobiology/dp/039370646X
If you haven't read anything by Beck, you should start there. Horse's mouth and all that.
Not to be condescending - - - I didn't name this book - - - but Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Dummies is a fairly accessible read.
For some extra validation, https://www.amazon.com/What-Therapists-Dont-Talk-about/dp/1591474019 What Therapists don’t talk about was a book my program made me read that covered some stuff not discussed as in depth as they would’ve wanted. It’s been helpful!
Mixed Emotions: A Tool That Helps... https://www.amazon.com/dp/0970164009?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
These cards have been helpful for me when working with teens that struggle to provide content upfront. I let them go through the deck to determine emotions they’ve been feeling lately and then tell me why they chose that one. Usually gives us something to go off!
IFS, Walking the Tiger by Peter Levine (there is actually a free audiobook of this on YouTube), and the book Healing Sex: https://www.amazon.com/Healing-Sex-Mind-Body-Approach-Sexual/dp/1573442933 were all very helpful to me!
My colleague gave me this book: Polyamory : A Clinical Toolkit for Therapists (and Their Clients) https://www.amazon.com/Polyamory-Clinical-Toolkit-Therapists-Clients/dp/1538129884 + it was very helpful
If I were you, I’d start by working through this DBT workbook. It is a great place to start if you can’t afford therapy.
My contigo is great. Contigo - 2076624 Contigo Stainless Steel Water Bottle | Vacuum-Insulated Water Bottle | Autospout Ashland Chill Water Bottle, 20 Oz, Stainless/Scuba https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BD0R8PU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_1HY35XT2EP34WF9YVH52
As u/mtcherryontop suggests (and another commenter indirectly alluded to), Motivational Interviewing lends itself well to a discussion of the stages of change.. But that's not what you asked.
I realize you're probably not dying to purchase (yet) another textbook, but Gerald Corey's Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy is a well-respected source to compare and contrast various theoretical perspectives. It includes a discussion of theory of change for each one.
If by chance you take it again (I bet you did fine, though), Neukrug & Fawcett do a great job of boiling a lot of stats into 2 chapters of this testing & assessment textbook.
I've been looking into things contemplating going into private practice as well, and I found this resource in someone else's post. I just finished reading it cover to cover a few minutes ago and it is incredibly helpful. From Clinician to Confident CEO
I have a workbook I like: Body Image Workbook (The Body Image Workbook: An Eight-Step Program for Learning to Like Your Looks (A New Harbinger Self-Help Workbook) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1572245468/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_5XCVY229B06R18T5YX4F)
One caveat is that the “Assessment “ which asks about different body parts can be triggering, so use it selectively.
I'm sorry that's you experience. I've been there. I'm so grateful that my current boss is magical and really praises us for our hard work but also our intentional rest and self care. Have you read "Trauma Stewardship" by Laura Van der Noot Lipsky? It was SOOOO impactful for me to read when I was feeling anxious, angry, distracted, resentful, etc.
​
A really great instructor who led dbt training in my area heavily recommended Jon Kabat-Zinn for mindfulness based stressed reduction (MBSR), as well as his book Full Catastrophe Living:
https://www.amazon.com/Full-Catastrophe-Living-Revised-Illness/dp/0345536932/ref=nodl_
I’ve been reading https://www.amazon.com/My-Grandmothers-Hands-Racialized-Pathway/dp/1942094477 this book by a therapist who works primarily focused on issues of race. The book is a little more of a somatic perspective than I necessarily believe in right now, but it’s got a lot of good info in thinking about the effects of inter generational trauma and how it affects identities.
Recognizing the trauma background for some of these issues, and with the very real experience you have with some of the factors you’re talking about, struggling with identity issues, facing multiple avenues of discrimination; you sound like you’d be very prepared to hold space for people looking for someone sensitive to these issues. It’s kind of like when a client says they would prefer someone older if you’re a younger clinician. What they really mean is, will you understand what I mean when I say something from a place of my culture? Will you apply another cultures ideas to me in a judge mental way?
That’s not to say you might not have clients reacting to you, but don’t doubt your own experience in what you’re doing.
Hermine Graham's book on Cognitive-Behavioural informed approaches to substance misuse / dual diagnosis treatment was a useful read when I worked with that client group.
More recently:
- Treatment Plans and Interventions for Depression and Anxiety Disorders by Robert L. Leahy, Stephen J. F. Holland, Lata K. McGinn has been useful for treatment planning and being a bit of a one-stop shop for a multitude of presenting problems.
- Cognitive Therapy of Anxiety Disorders: A Practice Manual and Conceptual Guide by Adrian Wells has been good for guiding treatment with... err... anxiety disorders, surprisingly.
Christine Padesky's youtube videos (and VHS/DVD videos) have been quite useful - but they can be a bit of an acquired taste from an "is this clinically viable with a real life client group" point of of view.
For a more ACT-y view on things...
- ACT made simple: an easy-to-read primer on acceptance and commitment therapy by Russ Harris
- Acceptance and commitment therapy: 100 key points and techniques by Richard Bennett and Joseph Oliver.
The "Treatment That Works" manuals guide evidence based treatment for variety of anxiety needs. Here are a couple below but there are several:
Mastery of Your Anxiety and Panic: Workbook (Treatments That Work)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0195311353/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_G12T18RTBHC7Q39TACZR
Treating Your OCD with Exposure and Response (Ritual) Prevention Therapy: Workbook (Treatments That Work)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0195335295/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_JZPQAWXNWFRPRW3H3YBA
Hello,
Quick tip, small fidget's that are unnoticeable could certainly help! Maybe like a fidget ring, like one i linked. It has certainly helped me!
​
-A friend...and Okay Therapist.
>fidgeting during sessions (mine are usually playing with my hair/earrings, picking at my nails, jiggling my leg/feet)
I use discreet fidget toys for this, like these rings: https://smile.amazon.com/Mr-Sensory-Anxiety-Massager-Reducer/dp/B08D3VSRFV/ref=sr_1_6?crid=2ZROQZQLRH6E1&keywords=grounding+rings&qid=1645106776&sprefix=grounding+rings%2Caps%2C195&sr=8-6
>Disclosing ADHD up front to explain that any of the above behaviours don’t mean I’m not listening, they’re just symptoms and whether this is appropriate/necessary
I don't do this up front but if I a having a bad ADHD day, I tell my clients. Something like "I have not disclosed before that I have somewhat severe ADHD. I feel a bit more restless today so if I am fidgeting or seem more hyper, please know it is my own stuff and not any reflection on my interest in what you are exploring in session today."
I know our clients watch us closely, too, so I don't want anyone to ever misinterpret my behaviors. I give a similar spiel if I am really tired and may be less energetic.
I have no idea why this is so expensive right now but this is will help
Understanding the Borderline Mother: Helping Her Children Transcend the Intense, Unpredictable, and Volatile Relationship https://www.amazon.com/dp/0765703319/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_WSCHJCK21VV58SWSYPEA
When I first started as a therapist this book was really helpful. It gives a clear outline of what to do and I could sit down before a client meeting and write down the questions I wanted to ask.
I struggle with putting into into note form as well. I found using a structured template [like this one](www.etsy.com/listing/1078393316) help me observe and manages writing a note easier.
Therapistaid.com can also be really helpful if your looking for structured interventions.
I’m realizing how many times I said structured in one post. As a therapist with ADHD that’s really what I needed to learn how to function as a therapist in the beginning.
I bought a wall tapestry to hang on the blank wall behind me. Summor Tapestry Blue Mountains Silhouette Watercolor Surface Gift Wrap Scrapbooking Hanging Tapestries 60 x 80 inch Wall Hanging Decor for Bedroom Livingroom Dorm https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HXXB7V5/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_CVYRV36CKNSPPVD6AWMB?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Very cost effective!
Internal Family Systems Couple Therapy Skills Manual: Healing Relationships with Intimacy From the Inside Out https://www.amazon.com/dp/1683733673/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_EJMX4Q2QEC5FVZ6950QH
This one. ?
I have found Brené Brown to be incredibly helpful in this area. These two books provide an excellent foundation to build on for this very challenging kind of work.
Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead https://smile.amazon.com/dp/1592408419/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_R4QC1BNQHKG17V9VGVEQ
And
Rising Strong: How the Ability to Reset Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead https://smile.amazon.com/dp/081298580X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_XAS7G79CPYA70QGXC862
I think that the insights you find, and that you guide your client to find for themselves, are going to come from your theoretical orientation and case conceptualization.
The insights you and your client come to, you'll get to by different paths, depending on the theoretical orientation you're coming from. It'll be different coming from a contextual behavioral versus cognitive behavioral versus humanistic versus psychodynamic, and so on.
Also, it sounds like your client is might be asking for skills training. That learning breathing techniques are great, but they'd like more to take with them out into their lives. I'm a fan of ACT and EET for experiential exercises to teach skills, but you do you. You can lean on your theoretical orientation to find what processes to target and what skills to teach, given that client's particular needs.
Look up this podcast:
Allison miller practices in Canada . A therapist who has a good sense of ptsd and dissociative issues might be very helpful.
My mom wrote a book for teens (she’s a psychologist), and so far it’s going okay for her. She doesn’t have the first fear you list bc the book is not at all about her, but I know she’d like to see some more sales lol. Not even for the money necessarily, but for the validation. We started an Amazon marketing campaign recently and it did boost sales quite a bit! Mom’s book
Good luck with your book!
Do you have any experience with or thoughts about this CBT game?
Playing CBT - Therapy Game to Develop Awareness of Thoughts, Emotions and behaviors for improving Social Skills, Coping Skills and Enhancing self Control.- New Version https://www.amazon.com/dp/9659256167/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_LzroCbMQQ6RSA
It’s got a hefty price tag, but as often as we do CBT it could get a lot of use.
No, although it does contain lots of interesting case studies.
This is the book:
https://www.amazon.com/Phantoms-Brain-Probing-Mysteries-Human/dp/0688172172/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1468079092&sr=8-1&keywords=phantoms+in+the+brain+ramachandran
Absolutely! It's something that I do with my clients all the time. I would consider it to be essential. Here's the book that really helped me:
Dr. Kristin Neff's book "Self-Compassion" is really good for self-esteem/efficacy. It has been helpful for both myself and my clients. Each chapter also has exercises that you could easily do as a group activity or "homework" assignment. It's a fairly easy read too.