counseling Archives - Hope Heal Change

Tag: counseling

Dungeons & Dragons & Therapy

Posted on September 5, 2024September 5, 2024 by hopehealchange

by Justin Lamb You may be wondering how delving into dungeons, fighting dragons, and rolling countless 20-sided dice relates to therapy. Certainly there are some surface metaphors of “slaying the dragon” and things like that. However, I would urge you to dive deeper into the proverbial dungeon. When you look at the way playing Dungeons & Dragons, Call of Cthulhu, and others provides specific outlets, you can see how valuable they truly can be. The Magic of Dungeons & Dragons First, there is the aspect of imagination. Countless peer-reviewed, scientific studies discuss the benefits of utilizing your imagination. Whether that’s done through visual imagery, songwriting, or any other creative act, your imagination is a quality unique to you. Exercising your imagination allows you to tap into your creative mind and invites your unconscious to come out and play. Second, there is the aspect of community. Dungeons & Dragons, and similar role playing Read more [...]

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Posted on August 22, 2024August 22, 2024 by hopehealchange

What Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is and How I Use it in Sessions with Clients by Josh Jostock When a client comes in for therapy for the first time, one term that they often hear in regards to mental health therapy is “Cognitive Behavioral Therapy” (CBT). Today, I hope to explain what it is and how I use that in practice. Moreover, my hope is that after reading this blog, you’re equipped with some CBT so that you can start using it in your day to day life. But before I dive in, I want to preface the heart of my blog by saying that CBT isn’t for everybody nor is it a magic wand. I use CBT with some clients and I also integrate other techniques/theoretical orientations in like Motivational Interviewing and my personal favorite, Internal Family Systems. I cannot think of one case where I’ve strictly used just CBT as a means of treatment. For some cases, though, CBT doesn’t even enter the arena. Okay, preface over—here we go. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: The Definition Cognitive Read more [...]

Understanding the Roles in Dysfunctional Families

Posted on July 30, 2024August 5, 2024 by hopehealchange

by Tara Yombor From family dysfunction to slightly more functional families One of my favorite topics as a therapist, specifically working with clients who are in recovery from addiction, is educating them on the roles in dysfunctional families. While working in treatment centers for drugs and alcohol, inevitably, at least one or two groupsa week would land on the topic of family dynamics. I’ve always said, “you can pick your friends, but you can’t pick your family.” What is family dysfunction? You might be asking, what is a dysfunctional family? What are the roles in dysfunctional families? Is my family dysfunctional? How do the different roles come to exist? How can they “benefit” from each other to create a toxic environment? Let me start by saying that every family is dysfunctional – yes, even yours! It’s important to note that there is no “perfect family.” Human beings are dynamic, flawed, and unique. The intensity and impairment of the dysfunction Read more [...]

Happy to Offer Counseling in Rochester

Posted on July 9, 2024July 9, 2024 by hopehealchange

Why We Love Counseling. Why We Love Rochester. Rochester, Michigan is home to some of our favorite things. Where else can you take in the winding trails of Paint Creek? What hike would be complete without the bright and toasty scents of Bean & Leaf Cafe? And of course, we always end our evenings with the sweet, sassy, and friendly folks at Holy Cannoli. Furthermore, Rochester is home to Oakland University, where Josh Jostock, founder of Hope Heal Change Counseling, got his Master's in Counseling. Rochester is our community and we are happy to serve our community. Rochester also offers unique opportunities in counseling. Counseling Challenges in Rochester Rochester is a hub for education. Rochester, Michigan offers unique opportunities for counseling. In addition to some of the biggest K-12 schools in the state, Rochester is home to Oakland University. The challenges of a student today are very different than the students of yesterday. Whether it's stress on grades Read more [...]

The Do’s and Don’t’s of Supporting Your Child Through Their Therapeutic Process

Posted on March 7, 2024July 9, 2024 by hopehealchange

Providing therapy for kids and adolescents is something I look forward to everyday that I come into the office. Sadly, many therapists miss out on that opportunity. If many therapists are being open and honest, a part of the reason they turn away minors is because they don't want to have to manage the parent(s) on the side. However, I find that just about every parent is great at letting me do my job as long as we establish the boundaries and expectations of their child being in therapy with me. They are more concerned with supporting their child during therapy. Many parents ask me, "What should I ask after session?" or "Should I say anything at all about the therapy?" It can be a helpless position--Investing money into the process and then having to be a bit in the dark for a stretch of time. The good news--you'll eventually get feedback in regards to the case and we always begin the process with a parent meeting. But waiting for the feedback requires patience and trust. A parent needs Read more [...]