Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals

 
Take advantage of Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals!

Deals for 2014 are 25-50% OFF allowing you to get more bang for your buck.
This offer is only available until 11:59pm PT Cyber Monday, so act now!

Once you've purchased your deal don't forget to schedule your appointments:

• An initial consultation - phone or office
• Assessment visit (if needed)
• Scheduled appointments

Who says Black Friday and Cyber Monday have to be for retail items only. Save on counseling now!

Client vs. Patient

A few days ago, I learned that many of the shop people that I dealt with in the neighborhood, didn't realize my profession until one simple conversation in Nordstrom's Rack.

"Good afternoon Angela, how are you today?" she asked. "Having a great day; full day of clients this afternoon." I said feeling good about having completed my morning tasks, which allowed me time to look around and shop before starting my work day.

She then looked at me without batting and eye lash, "Where do you do hair?" she said. The question assumed that I was a hair stylist or cosmetologist. "I don't do hair, I'm a counselor." I replied, with a confused look on my face.

She quickly says, "I'm sorry, I thought,...you said clients." And then it hit me. She now fumbles with my credit cards trying to get me out of her line as fast as possible.  I responded, "I can understand that. You're right, I don't say patients, I say clients." Trying to reassure her.

It wasn't until she actually looked at my card to see that it read, Dr. Angela. Now, when she sees me, her greeting is "Morning Doc!"

I say that to say this -- there is a reason for the difference in usage of name for me and my office. A mind set that hopefully not only affects how I deal with the people who use my services, but how they think of themselves as well.

I use the word “client”, not “patient," because the word “patient” can imply a medical model in which the doctor works on and heals the patient, and the patient more passively receives the treatment. Pastoral Counseling is different; it involves your active participation. You hire me, and we work together.

The medical terminology of "patient" also implies that you are sick in your body - those who need help versus those who do not. I prefer to think of it as walking along a path and the occasional loosing of your footing: sometimes walking along the sure path, and sometimes walking along the overgrown, dead end path. It is during those times that you seek out my assistance.

So, I will only call those who visit with me - clients.
"Not accepting patients at this time."

Black Americans and Government Dependency

Kenneth Durden: "Rep. Joe Walsh Is Right About Black Americans & Government Dependency"

Rep. Joe Walsh

I don't see the big fuss here either, because Rep. Walsh is telling the truth. The fact remains that most African Americans are dependent on the government largesse in some form: working for the government (22%), welfare (12%), or Social Security/disability benefits (24%). That means that almost 60% fall into Rep. Walsh's category. The only change that I'd have made is to add that the Democratic Party's goal is increasingly for everyone — across race — to revel in envy politics and be dependent on government. Anyway, Mr. Durden, a libertarian-conservative blogger, opines about the controversy: "Rep. Joe Walsh (R-IL) is catching hell for saying that Democrats want Hispanics dependent on government 'like black people.' It's easy to be offended by what Walsh said, but in a way, he's right. Okay, pick up your chin off the floor. While there may be some Democrats and leftists/Socialists who believe in a simple safety net, there are many others who want an expansive welfare state so they can maintain power. ALL politicians (right and left) know that by promising more, they can maintain their power."

He continues his commentary: "Democrats know they have the loyalty of Fido when it comes to black people. They need to tap into the largest minority group. If Hispanic/Latino people embrace the notion of 3-jobs-or-whatever-it-takes like black people used to do, then Democrats can offer them little. Make a man a victim, then pretend to be his hero. You have his loyalty."


Communication is one of the most discussed issues that affect couples and families.  After reading the above article -- how do you feel? How does truth, communication and openness play a role in this? 

Court Rules for Christian Counseling Student in Religious Discrimination Case

Julea Ward (left), a student in the university’s graduate level counseling program, had only four courses remaining to earn her degree when she enrolled in a one-on-one counseling practicum in 2009. As part of the practicum Ward was assigned a potential client “seeking assistance regarding a sexual relationship that was contrary to her religious convictions,” explained the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF), the legal advocacy group that represented Ward in the case. “Ward recognized the potential conscience issue with the client, and asked her supervisor how to handle the matter.”

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th District has ruled that Eastern Michigan University (EMU) was out of line in expelling a graduate counseling student because of her unwillingness to validate homosexuality in her treatment of individuals struggling with same-sex attraction.

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