Time2Track Blog
Real-Life Resources for Students & Early Career Professionals
The Millennial Therapist: How Social Media Affects Our Lives and Work
The millennial generation, born roughly between 1980 and 2000, is a generation categorized by the digital age. An overwhelming majority owns a computer, a smartphone and uses the internet daily. Coined “digital natives,” millennials are a generation raised on using social media as a primary way to communicate and express oneself. This is the generation that is now entering into the field of psychotherapy.
The social media obsession has significant implications for this generation of psychologists, both relationally and professionally. We are entering into the field with a perspective of the world much different than our predecessors. We deal with public exposure in a way that has not yet been faced. There can be some harmful consequences of our lives being so public. As we enter into this field, we must be thoughtful about our social media use and the implications it has for both our work as therapists and in our personal lives.
Mental Health Care for Older Adults is Necessary – Here’s Why
By the year 2030, one in five Americans will be 65 years or older. The demographic of those aged 80 and older is growing faster than any other age group [1]. There is also a prevailing stereotype of older adults as dependent, depressed, and possibly demented [1].
Taking into consideration this stereotype of the aging population, is there a case to address their mental wellness in addition to the population’s huge demand for basic medical services?
How to Build an Effective Practicum or Internship Plan
In reflecting upon how graduate students in psychology and related disciplines may begin to view logging clinical hours as a more meaningful endeavor, I explore the features of an effective practicum or internship plan.
The post is written based on the big idea that the development of a student’s professional skills should be treated as an integrated process, not a series of isolated activities.
Big Boys Don’t Cry: Navigating Masculinity in Therapy
I remember being in grade school and hearing the age-old cliché “Big boys don’t cry” whenever a male peer began to show he was upset about something.
At the time, I didn’t think twice about it, and I’m sure there were moments when I repeated those very words, not realizing the harm I was doing. Regardless of intention, I now see that these types of subtle messages convey a normative stance of stoicism, invulnerability, and detachment that contribute to toxic ideals of masculinity.
How to Choose a Hospital Training Site in Behavioral Health
I went to graduate school in a large city, and I was lucky to have over a dozen hospital sites to apply to once I knew I wanted inpatient experience. The problem was that I didn’t realize how much variation existed within the world of hospital training.
Knowing what kind of hospital you’re applying to will help you focus your cover letters, know what you’re walking into on interviews, and pick the site that best fits with the experiences you want.
How to Pass the EPPP on the First Try
In grad school, each step forward was fairly well-defined. In contrast, studying for the EPPP was an unknown. Thankfully, many of the same skills that helped lead to success in graduate school can be used to aid in EPPP preparation, leading to licensure as a psychologist. For any remaining gaps, support is available. Below are six preparation tips to help you get organized and get licensed. Best of luck!
Familismo: The Unseen Family in the Therapy Room
(Please access full text for link to article in Spanish.)
The number of Mexican immigrants is growing rapidly in the United States. While culturally sensitive psychological services may be a luxury in United States clinics, they are a necessity in places where Spanish-speaking people live.
Unfortunately, the number of Latinx and/or Spanish-speaking therapists is below the minimum needed. Thus, even if you do not speak Spanish, the odds are considerable that a Spanish-speaking Latin American will cross your path.
In this series, I will cover some issues that may help you in being more culturally appropriate regarding Latin Americans, especially those from Mexico. I will first explore the term familismo, a value that refers to the development of close ties within the immediate and extended family of many Mexicans.
The Importance of Looking After Yourself as a Therapist
It is important to realize that therapists need to take care of themselves as much as we tell our clients to take care of themselves. After all – we are human, too!
With heavy workloads and complex cases, it is easy to forget the impact our work can have on our physical and mental health.
Often we work in isolation, with people in crisis or pain. Alongside the normal life ‘distractions’ we have additional responsibilities in the form of professional ethics, codes of conduct, licensing issues and insurance requirements.
All these elements can add up to a big emotional and energy cost for the individual therapist so it is essential to take steps to protect ourselves. Continual professional reflection can help to identify areas where we need to take steps to ensure the weight of the work we undertake is not taking a toll on our own health.
Organize Your Student Loans like a Pro
It’s really easy to forget about your loans in graduate school because there are so many other things to think about. However, your loans will eventually catch up to you, and you’ll need to start making payments on them. Unfortunately, this tends to start happening right as you’re midway through a fellowship and trying to apply for jobs, or when you’re trying to apply for licensure and take the licensing exam. Having to start paying on your student loans can come at a very overwhelming time, and also be an overwhelming thing to think about. With some simple organizational strategies, you can feel more confident about the financial responsibility that awaits you.
Adverse Childhood Experiences: Traumas That Set the Framework for Life
Growing up in a home with physical abuse, emotional neglect, mental illness, alcohol use, or drug use are some examples of childhood adversities. The seminal work of Dr. Vincent Felitti and colleagues asked over 17,000 adults to answer questions about adverse childhood experiences — or ACEs — and current health [1]. Results were shocking: More ACEs led to poorer health in adulthood and early death.
It is important to understand that ACEs do not directly cause poor outcomes; there are likely many mediating mechanisms such as maladaptive coping, unhealthy interpersonal relationships, negative health behaviors, dysfunctional thinking styles, and insecure attachments that contribute to these outcomes. In addition to prevention efforts, these are all potential areas that therapists can intervene to mitigate the long-term effects of adversity.
FROM OUR PARTNERS
