Interesting Reading

Posted by: Priya Senroy on May 2, 2012 2:40 pm
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As we embrace Spring like weather here in Canada, I have again been reading interesting viewpoints of Counsellors who work in a diverse and multicultural set up. This month’s blog focuses on a document titled- Within and Beyond Borders: Critical Multicultural Counselling in Practice Critical Multicultural Series.  Based on the 4th Critical Multicultural Counselling and Psychotherapy Conference that took place in Toronto in 2007, the documents include 12 chapters, with topics ranging from Aboriginal ways of healing to mental health issues in the South Asian communities, from exploring Martial Arts as healing to discussing Jungian viewpoints of the self.

http://www.oise.utoronto.ca/cdcp/UserFiles/File/Publications/within_and_beyond_borders.pdf




*The views expressed by our authors are personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views of the CCPA

Going Back to School – Part 2 of Schools and Online Counselling

Posted by: Dawn Schell on May 2, 2012 2:38 pm
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My quest to find out about online counselling in schools continued.  I queried the online community, school counsellors associations and school counsellors themselves.   I was unable to discover any current use of online counselling in schools [feel free to let me know if I’ve missed anything]. 

Which is not surprising really.  Over the past number of years in education financial pressures have mounted. School counsellors have been faced with a time, money and resources squeeze making it more difficult to introduce something like online counselling into the system or, perhaps even to spend the time to find out if it’s viable [making guesses here].

So I turned my attention to ways in which school counsellors are using technology.  One school counsellor, Eddie Levisman, noted that despite the pressures of time and lack of resources  “the counselor must be very technologically proficient: emails, websites, e-lists, wikis, e-newsletters, webinars and what not – all will be expected in his/her arsenal of skills….We, as counselors, must find ways to enter their (students) world and compete for attention with many other sources. We must, constantly and persistently, fight for our right to be present in their virtual habitat.”[1]

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*The views expressed by our authors are personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views of the CCPA

Emphasis on Fitness

Posted by: Asa Don Brown on April 24, 2012 4:38 pm
10 Replies

Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.  ~ World Health Organization

Fitness is a lifestyle.  It is a deliberate action which is directed by a purposeful intention.  If we desire for our children to live and lead healthier and happier lives, then we must conscientiously set out to model a positive example. 

“Western society is in a state of health never seen in history.  We are fatter, less productive, and at a higher risk of developing disease, early osteoporosis, and clinical depression than ever before.” (Brazier, 2009, p. 3)  What has caused the decay of our society’s health and wellbeing?  Is it that we are less driven or motivated?  Is it that our time is occupied with technological or occupational endeavors preventing us from being fit? Whatever our excuse, whatever the reason, we must learn to embrace the need for a healthier lifestyle. 

The lack of physical activity can compound our internal and external stressors.  “Chronic negative stress also is linked to insomnia, anxiety, and depression.” (Starr & McMillan, 2010, p. 297)

The benefits of fitness are countless.  Living a fit life will lead to having a healthier life.

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*The views expressed by our authors are personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views of the CCPA

Victimization vs. Personal Responsibility

Posted by: Maritza Rodriguez on April 20, 2012 11:39 am
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There has been a trend in modern society to take less responsibility over our thoughts and behaviors. A month or two ago, a politician fell asleep during a presentation. When he was called on it, rather than admit his behavior and apologize for being tired, he counteracted by condemning the presenters of absurd accusations. In fact, the situation turned out to be so farfetched; he had to publically apologize for his comments. However, he never admitted to the initial behavior that started the whole embarrassing process; falling asleep during the presentation.

As a witness of this scenario, I contemplated the possible consequences for this politician as a result of this public fiasco. Many of his constituents might perceive him as cowardly, untrustworthy, defensive and/or unhonorable. These are labels that could possibly have a negative consequence to his political career. As a counsellor and observer of human behavior, I wondered why this man in a position of power responded initially as a victim, choosing to engage in a verbal attack in response to a stated fact – he fell asleep.

I will confess to placing myself in a similar situation as the politician mentioned above early in my career. I had scheduled clients all day and my last appointment was at 7pm at night. I was physically exhausted but hung in until the last five minutes of my finally counselling session in which I closed my eyes for what was approximately a few seconds and dozed off and did not hear what my client was discussing. I remember returning to a wakeful state, startled at my own actions. I could feel a dreadful burning sensation at the pit of my stomach that I associate with fear.  My client then stood up and angrily accused me of being uncaring and stormed out the door.

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*The views expressed by our authors are personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views of the CCPA

School Counselling Online?

Posted by: Dawn Schell on April 16, 2012 3:52 pm
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I might have set myself a difficult task. My aim this month is to talk about the use of online counselling in elementary, middle and high schools. My research has shown that while there are many ways in which online counselling is being used effectively with children and adolescents it doesn’t appear it is being used in the school system.
With the possible exception of career development and guidance. Though the literature is not quite clear on whether this is online counselling [will check into that further].

So, if you know of any school counselling that is being done online please feel free to share!

Here’s what I found out so far [with more to follow in two weeks]…

Social media networks are being used by special needs teachers for teaching social competence to students with emotional and behavioural disorders.

A small number of “highly aggressive” grade five students were enrolled by the school psychologist in an intervention program using a computer game. The aim of the game was to impact their cognitions, emotions and behaviour.

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*The views expressed by our authors are personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views of the CCPA

When is a Good Time to Write the Next Chapter in Your Career and Life Story?

Posted by: Mark Franklin on April 16, 2012 10:21 am
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It’s spring and the cycles of nature show us it’s a time for renewal. The natural world is reviving, flowers blossom, trees bud, and your career and life can be aligned with this powerful cycle. Check out this short video linking career and life choices to spring’s inspiration. Easter celebrates the renewal STORY of resurrection, which happened when Jesus was 33 years old. Some call this the JESUS YEAR a time to clarify what you want in your career and life. Here’s the thinking: If Jesus could be credited for all that was accomplished in his life by 33, then anyone approaching that age might want to assess where they’re at and what they want to do next. But how to answer, “What next?” Sidestep those silly career tests, and instead draw on the power of YOUR STORY – it holds all the clues you need.

What do you think about the Jesus Year? How are your being inspired this spring? Leave a comment!




*The views expressed by our authors are personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views of the CCPA

Birthday Party

Posted by: Hailing Huang on April 16, 2012 8:00 am
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In Canada, a birthday party is a huge issue for a child who is between the ages of five and ten. Since she came to Canada three years ago, one of the excitements that my daughter is anticipating every year is her birthday party.  Over the last three years, Vive has received more than 20 birthday party invitations from her friends and she did not miss a single one.

Now, her 10th birthday is approaching. She has been excited, thinking about how to plan and prepare. After attending numerous parties, she has developed sufficient knowledge and skills in planning, designing and running her own. I, who used to take full responsibility and be in charge, have gradually moved to a secondary position, to be her assistant. Planning an event like a birthday party isn’t easy; there are seven steps: first, list the people you like to invite, write, design the card and send out the card. Second, figure out the location of the party. Third, brain storming what kind of activities, programs, games to implement. Fourth, what kind of food will be provided? Fifth, how many assistants you can find to help you out, and who is doing what. Sixth, planning and shopping for the gift bags. Seventh, keep the budget in mind, and carry out the show.  

Three years ago, the concept of a birthday party was new for us who had come from China. Back home there is no such thing as a birthday party for a child. Chinese hold birthday parties for the elders who are over the age of 60. However, in order to encourage her to make friends and mingle with other kids of her age, I have supported and encouraged my daughter to participate. At the same time, I have had to learn how to organize and run a party with her.

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*The views expressed by our authors are personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views of the CCPA

Spring Blog

Posted by: Priya Senroy on April 15, 2012 8:00 am
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Happy Spring fellow Creative arts Therapists…..

I am delighted to take you all on a journey to South East Asia to share with you some of the work that is happening there in the filed of Creative Arts therapy. The list is modest but gives you an idea how this filed is being expanded to include the population in that part of the world.

http://www.healthxchange.com.sg/News/Pages/KKH-offers-art-therapy-for-patients-with-mental-illness.aspx

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2012-03/20/content_14875539.htm

http://cbh.hku.hk/

http://www.creativeartstherapy.org.my/centre.htm

http://ragamuffinproject.org/projects/cambodia/




*The views expressed by our authors are personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views of the CCPA

Why Reading is Important for Your Children

Posted by: Asa Don Brown on April 10, 2012 4:33 pm
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The benefits of reading to children is severalfold.  As young children, we are comforted by the calm voices of our parents and the physical contact received while being read to.  The initiation of reading develops a bond between parent and child.   

As your children develops,  you can introduce them to picture books, nursery rhymes, easy readers, and various transition books, which help expose them to many academic, psychological, and life principles. 

PARENTAL – CHILD ATTACHMENT

A major area of concern in today’s society, is the phenomenologically increase or lack of parental-child attachment. We live in a society that has become so technologically savvy, that we are beginning to loose our personal intimacy with one another.   

Attachment begins in the early stages of development.  It is an emotional and physical interconnection that occurs when mother and/or father and child have an opportunity to bond.  The bonding occurs through physical touch, comforting, playing, verbal and nonverbal communication, and intentional and/or unintentional affection. 

The benefit of reading is that you are purposefully paying attention.  You are offering a gentle voice and soothing embrace while reading your chosen literature.  Therefore, children have a greater propensity of bonding with their parental caregiver.  

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*The views expressed by our authors are personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views of the CCPA

Speaking Vocational Identity into Being

Posted by: John Stewart on April 10, 2012 4:07 pm
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I (Jeff) just finished reading Mark Savickas’ new book Career Counseling and in it, among other things, he makes a case for a change in how we as career practitioners see the development and implementation of vocational identity.  Traditionally (and this has been the approach John and I have used to expand on the idea of vocational identity in this blog) vocational identity has been presented as something that is present, or pre-existing, but is hidden and thus needs to be discovered.  As I see it, this is akin to having a lost brother, that one knows exists, and with some searching can be found and become a part of one’s everyday functioning. Savickas proposes, however, that vocational identity is, in fact, one’s vocational “thesis”, imposed over time on our experiences as we bring them to bear on the construction of the identity.  He explains it as the pattern we impose on our everyday realities to guide us in various social contexts.  Instead of a lost brother who becomes part of our functioning, this conceptualization of vocational identity resembles a brother created, rather than found, to fulfill one’s ongoing needs.  This created entity would change with growth and experience to better match functioning.

In thinking about this conceptualization of identity, I have arrived at the conclusion that there are likely two important components to developing a vocational identity:

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*The views expressed by our authors are personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views of the CCPA
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