My 8th grade algebra teacher was a very kind and patient woman named Mrs. Collier. Math has never been my thing, and I found myself totally at sea in her class. She never embarrassed or shamed me, and she was available if I wanted help in solving the problems at hand. Somehow, I scraped by […]
People may question or wonder how the presence of a pet in a counseling office aids in the therapeutic process. Many animals are currently being used in a multitude of settings but I will speak only of the one I work with, my dog! Prior to introducing my golden retriever as a “therapy-assist” dog, I […]
By Randy Brazzel MA, LPC, LMFT Unfortunately, traumatic experiences are a relatively common event. Current estimates are that as many as 70% of adults in the U.S. have experienced at least one traumatic event in their lifetimes. Given the number of veterans who have experienced combat, the frequency and intensity of recent natural disasters, and […]
In other blogs I have talked about the effectiveness of Energy Psychology (EP) approaches for PTSD. One of the big stumbling blocks in getting this treatment out to more people, especially veterans, is that APA (American Psychological Association) told its approved providers that they could not offer CE credit for EP. That has now […]
Many men and women in the military have significant problems adjusting to civilian life after active duty. They have problems sleeping. They are agitated and jumpy, easily angered. Thoughts and images about the war come back to them at unwanted times in unwanted ways. They often feel emotionally disconnected from others including family. […]
In January, I wrote an article for the publication in the national psychologist about Energy Psychology. In a subsequent issue there was a scathing letter to the editor by Dr. Chambers that was full of errors and misinformation. In his letter, among other things, he asserted that: “The fundamental concept of this modality, that manipulations […]
I wrote the folowing article for the National Psychologist, In my 27 years of practice as a clinical psychologist, I have been guided by a continuous curiosity to study and implement the most effective tools for helping my clients experience relief and healing. Whether the techniques are firmly rooted in the psychotherapeutic establishment or newly […]
Perfection is the enemy of the good. It shuts people down and prevents them from accomplishing many goals. It is far better to shoot for a B and succeed than shoot for an A+ and becoome immobilized. 80-85% is more than good enough 95% of the time. Resist the thought that you have […]
How much do your personal feelings about animals affect the way in which you are authentically able to help a client who has just lost their pet? How does your past inform your present? Whether it be a sibling’s allergies, cultural beliefs, or perhaps a traumatic experience you had with a dog as a child, […]
