Staying Current

Taking the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) in order to continue providing independent services for Service Members and their family. It's been study, study, study... now the moment of Aletheia.

Life / Work Balance

There are all sorts of obligation that we stack on our day. In addition, there can be obligations to ourselves. There are tasks we must get done to keep our tummies filled, our heads dry, and our selves safe. It's harder to recognize the obligations to ourselves to keep our hearts full and our heads clear. Here lies the Life / Work Balance. For the over 160 million working Americans, and others who have other less recognized jobs (homemakers et al) we try to keep a balance in keeping an obligation to the jobs that keep us and our family and to balance that with our need for compassion, fun, recreation, health, and spirit.
Some of the first few sessions with clients will visit self care - are you keeping healthy physically and doing what you can to live a mentally fit lifestyle? Life / Work balance can get more complicated, though. Life / Work balance will feel uncomfortable. When you start making room for more life you may find yourself wrapping up your workday with undone tasks. You may feel like your opting out of important work meetings or events that meet in the evening or weekend. The unanswered phone calls and emails, feel like their dangling when you've put a little more life in your day and week.
Certain themes especially make this an anxious transition. A sense of perfectionism, obligation, and need to be liked all can interfere with this transition. Take the time to recognize how other coworkers are fitting in balance. Take the time to recognize your competencies, your demonstrations of responsibility, and how you're appreciated. Greater allowances for time-off, friends, family, sport, etc. will actually improve your productivity.
If this helps -- even the leaders of The Free World take vacation days:

Compared to past presidents, Obama takes few vacations

Moving Anger - 6 Week Workshop

Starting October 1st, Michael Sibrava will present Moving Anger, a six week workshop to address overwhelming and problematic anger. Tuesdays 6:30pm-8:00pm visit www.envisiontherapies.net for more info or to enroll.

Congrats, Grads!

A First Job Is Like A First Date, And Other Advice For Graduation Day

A recent article from NPR that lists economists' advice about getting your first job.
New grads often feel like that first job will define the rest of their careers. First jobs are simply the first position you hold. If anything a job that's disliked is always a learning experience. It can be helpful to know what you do not want to do, what your limits are, and learn when you actually have a choice.
Good luck and great job new grads!