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As counselors we must engage in our own self-care. The mind and soul needs time to recharge so that we are our best with our patients/clients. "Counselor, Know Thyself" (Wolf, 2014). Countertransference is real and for some therapists may be draining. If we haven't not dealt with our own issues or triggers. We must also seek therapy and have an emotional support system that allows us to decompress and talk about our feelings.

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Not only are we susceptible as therapists to countertransference, we are also prone to stagnation. In order to offer the best results to our patients/clients we must always be on a continual path of self-awareness and engage in self-reflective practices (Pompeo, 2014). If we are not aware of trigger events or do not engage in our clients to the best of our ability, we are denying the full potential of their treatment, as well as any client growth. Self-care means we must practice taking care of our physical, emotional and mental health.

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We are what we think and eat, this is absolutely true and can attest to this. I am a strong believer in exercise, from swimming, cycling, pilates, yoga, meditation, weight lifting and even taking a brisk walk. Additionally, consuming whole foods and limiting your sugar intake is revolutionary. Staying hydrated especially during the winter season or in times of stress. Not consuming alcohol/limiting the consumption during personal celebrations or the holiday season. Lastly, staying away from negative people, relationships or family members is transformative.

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Autumn and winter are the best seasons for cycling, during the summer I swim more, but even with a heated pool it is still much too cold. Instead of doing thirty minutes of cardio, I plan on doing forty five minutes. This helps me relax and sleep better.

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Bipolar & Related Disorders (SAMHSA)-Reflect on what you learn about:

Three kinds of Bipolar disorders:

1.    Bipolar I Disorder-high maniac/severe depressive episodes

2.    Bipolar II Disorder-high and lows, but highs less severe/lows just as severe as BP-I.

3.    Cyclothymic Disorder-milder episodes of BP-I, chronic mood swings with less frequency, severity and shorter duration.

Treatment-medication(s) & psychotherapy.

·      These disorders

·      Their   effects

·      Support methods

Depressive Disorders-

Depression/Major Depressive Disorder-causes severe feelings of how you think, feel, and handle daily activities. For example, how you sleep, eat or how you work. The illness affects anyone, but research does show that genetics, the environment and psychological factors play a role.

Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder

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Medically Reviewed by: Dr. Emilio Mantero-Atienza, MD, Ph.D, MPH

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Bipolar Disorder Signs & Symptoms - URP Behavioral Health

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Delve into the nuanced Bipolar Disorder Signs & Symptoms with URP Behavioral Health. Your well-being, our priority.

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The “umbrella” of anxiety disorders includes:

•Separation Anxiety

•Selective Mutism

•Specific Phobia

•Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)

•Panic Disorder

•Agoraphobia

•Generalized Anxiety Disorder

•Substance/Medication-Induced Anxiety Disorder

•Other Anxiety Disorders (Specified and Unspecified Disorders)

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Anxiety disorder umbrella:

Excessive fear, worry and avoidance behaviors.

Disorders:

1.generalized anxiety disorder

2.panic disorder

3.social anxiety disorder

4.specific phobias

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Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)-affects social interactions, triggered by the presence of others, fear of being judged, scrutinized, embarrassed in social situations, more common than agoraphobia and is associated with panic disorder.

Agoraphobia- fear of physical environments, perception of being trapped, fear of not being to escape, associated with depression.

SAD & Agoraphobia- Clients experience anxiety, intense fear, avoidance, panic attacks.

Treatment consists of:

1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

2. Exposure Therapy

3. Medication(s)

What is a Licensed Professional Therapist: An LPC who provides counseling/therapy services to individuals, couples and families. Helping clients with a wide range of issues and coping strategies (ERIC, 2025).

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Eating  Disorders umbrella

Early traumatic and stressful events are risk factors for eating disorders (Solmi, 2021). A persistent disturbance of eating or eating related that results in the altered consumption or absorption of food that significantly impairs physical health or psychosocial functioning (APA, 2013 p.329).

1.Anorexia Nervosa

2.Bulimia Nervosa

3.Binge Eating Disorder

4.Pica

5.Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder

ELIMINATION DISORDER

Inappropriate elimination of urine or feces usually diagnosed in childhood or adolescence (APA, 2013).

1.Enuresis

2. Encopresis

3. Other Elimination Disorders (Specified and    Unspecified)

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1.Anorexia Nervosa-eating disorder; limited food intake below what is required for normal health. Intense fear of gaining weight; problematic self-perceptions of body weight/shape (DSM, 2013).

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Signs & Symptoms:

vIntense fear of gaining weight

vRefusal to gain weight/follow nutritional guidelines

vBehaviors have serious restricting of food

vMedical conditions

vToo thin or weak

vAbsence of menstrual cycle

vFine and soft hair

2. Bulimia Nervosa- binge eating and purging that are used to prevent weight gain.

Signs & Symptoms:

vEating large quantities of food especially at one time esp. high fat and sweets.

vInduced vomiting, laxatives and excessive exercise.

vPreoccupation with body image/body size.

vWorrying/complaining about being fat.

vFear of becoming overweight

vExercising too much

vNot wanting to eat in public places

vA distorted/negative body image

vElectrolyte imbalance/dental problems

vGoing to the bathroom right after eating meals

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Binge Eating Disorder-recurrent episodes of binge in a discrete period of time for example within two hours. Eating an amount of food that is definitely larger than what most individuals would eat.  Additionally, feeling a sense of control over eating during the episode. Feeling that one cannot stop eating or control what or how much one is eating.

Signs & Symptoms

vEating much more rapidly than normal

vEating until feeling uncomfortably full

vEating large amounts of food when not feeling physically hungry.

vEating alone because of feeling embarrassed by how much one is eating.

vFeeling disgusted with oneself, depressed or very guilty afterwards.

vMarked distressed regarding binge eating is present

vThe binge eating occurs, on average, at least once a week for three months

vThe binge eating is not associated with the recurrent use of inappropriate compensatory behavior as in bulimia nervosa and does not occur exclusively during the course of bulimia nervosa or anorexia nervosa. (DSM-5, 2013).

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4. Pica-feeding and eating disorder defined in the DSM-5th edition of persistent eating of non-nutritive, non-food substances for at least one month.

Signs & Symptoms:

vPersistent ingestion of non-food intake, for a minimum period of one month.

vDevelopmentally inappropriate

vThe eating behavior is not part of a cultural tradition or socially normative practice.

vClinical severity if the “Pica” occurs in the context of another mental disorder. For example ASD, intellectual disability or a medical condition.

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Elimination Disorder

1.Encopresis Disorder-Repeated passage of feces into inappropriate places. (DSM-5, 2013)

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2.Enuresis-Repeated urination into beds or clothes.

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Protocol: What to do if there’s a concern (Mayo Clinic, 2025).

Avoid dieting around your child

Talk to your child

Encourage and reinforce a health body image

Ask your child’s health care provider for help.

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vAmerican Psychiatric Association (2024). DSM-5-TR Update Supplement to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision.

vDziegielewshi, S. (2015). DSM-5 IN ACTION Third Edition. Overview and Treatment Plans For Eating Disorders. (P.538, 542)

vMayo Clinic Diseases and Conditions(2025). Eating Disorders. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER)  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/eating-disorders/symptoms-causes/syc-20353603#:~:text=Ask%20your%20child's%20health%20care,questions%20about%20their%20eating%20habits.

vNational Alliance of Eating Disorders (2024). What Exactly Does an Eating Disorder Therapist Do? Gather & Seek

https://www.allianceforeatingdisorders.com/what-exactly-does-an-eating-disorder-therapist-      do/#:~:text=Eating%20disorder%20therapists%20wear%20multiple,effectively%20in%20the%20therapeutic%20process.

Solmi, M. Radua, J. (2021). Risk factors for eating disorders: an umbrella review of published meta-nalyses.SciELO  https://www.scielo.br/j/rbp/a/xX6RB8dNV5tG6jZGSdXrttK

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All life starts at the cellular level, some of us have the luxury of obtaining genetic testing when we are expecting a pregnancy. But what if genetic testing isn’t possible for autism? What does a parent do then? Autism affects 1 in 31 children in the United States alone (Autism Speaks, 2025). If you have been trying to conceive for years or have always wanted a child, there is no other option. For anyone that has a child with autism, you do not know until you realize your child is special. Autism’s average age is a diagnosis by the age of five, but some children may be diagnosed as early as the age of two (Frith, 2005). Autism spectrum disorder is a condition that is associated with the way the human brain is formed. People with autism have problems with socializing and communication. Additionally, people with autism have patterns of behavior which may seem like compulsions and have routing behaviors (Mayo Clinic, 2025). The category that autism falls under in the DSM-V is autism spectrum disorder which is a neurodevelopmental disorder with two persistent deficiencies such as impairment in social communication and interaction. This disorder also includes repetitive, restricted patterns of behavior interests and activities (Hendricks, 2025). One can notice that there are more films as well as literature about autism. Having public knowledge is critical to being able to learn more about this disorder and what else we may do to better the lives of individuals with this disorder. A) Disorder description, assessments: Some of the assessments that are used by professionals to diagnose the disorder are test given to children that have to do with speech, language, development, behavior and social issues. Genetic testing to confirm conditions such as Rett syndrome or fragile X syndrome. There is also some talk regarding functional imaging such as magnetic resonance imaging in infants (Mayo Clinic, 2025). B) Description of the strategy or strategies that have been proven successful in working with this disorder: The scope of practice in assessment of my role as an LPC is to provide mental health services within my community or online. Licensed professional therapists can diagnose mental illnesses, and we must create a treatment plan for our patients (NCSL, 2025). This is a huge responsibility and of course it is critical that different disorders are learned and that we are accurate in our diagnosis. The legal and ethical responsibilities that accompany me as a licensed professional therapist are accurate record keeping, proper informed consent, and not engaging in false advertising as well as any sexual relationships with my clients (Cornell Law School, 2025). As with any profession or healthcare field, this is common sense, but of course it must be stipulated. We do know of cases where even though you are supposed to wait five years before having a relationship with your client, this time frame has not been honored. Proper and accurate record keeping not only will protect an LPC should your client’s file be subpoenaed, but also in case my private practice goes through an audit. More importantly, if as an LPC you create a thorough process you never need to worry about your record keeping because you always document properly. This applies to also creating a process for consent that is routinely practiced and making sure you do not have any relationships with your clients. Again, you may also refer your client to another LPC for continuation of care. Hence, reducing any liability and doing what is best for the client. Two strategies that are successful in treating autism because there is no cure are to teach critical social, communication, functional and behavioral skills. This is best put to practice as soon as possible. There are many forms of therapy such as educational and family therapies. So that family members, specifically parents, learn to play and interact with their autistic child (Mayo Clinic, 2025). Medication has been used as a third form of treatment. Most patients with Asperger’s syndrome were placed on medication, but mostly by psychiatrists since they are the only ones besides doctors that may prescribe medications. The research that supports autism was that of a sample size of more than 168 children ages 1.7 years old up to 21.9 years old. The results showed that younger children used treatments having to do with diet and behavioral/educational/alternative treatments. In contrast to adolescent or early childhood groups which used more drug treatments (Goin-Kochel, 2007). C) Select your specific future role for this section: The role of the LPC is to diagnose and create a treatment plan for my client. To also help them understand how to improve their daily routine and help them to learn how to function independently. I would also explain to the client and if they were a minor to their parent(s) that I do not prescribe medication. I am not legally licensed or allowed to. The social life of my client and their emotional and behavioral areas of the person’s life will only improve. I would work collaboratively with a nutritionist and advise them to engage in physical activity. They may go outdoors or obtain membership at the local gym. Lastly, I would also recommend sports or joining a community gym such as the YMCA. D) Select your specific future role for this section: As a counselor or a Licensed Professional Therapist, I would use these same strategies and families or support systems because they would work. I would be able to see results without having to worry about not being confident that in the treatment of my clients. There are organizations that I could work collaboratively with or also refer to. Such as a dietician or nutritionist which would teach my patients how to enjoy food groups that would be to their mental benefit. The elements of the ACA Code of Ethics that I would need to consider when collaborating with/consulting with others would be; to develop a positive working relationship as well as have an open mind and being respectful of different approaches. Forming strong relationships with my colleagues, and working well with others from different disciplinaries, establishing professional and ethical obligations. I must always engage in confidentiality and select competent staff (ACA Code of Ethics, 2014). References Autism Speaks (2025). Autism statistics and facts. Autism Prevalence. https://www.autismspeaks.org/autism-statistics-asd 22 Tex. Admin. Code Section 681.41 General Ethical Requirments. Cornell Law School (2025). https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/texas/22-Tex-Admin-Code-SS-681-41 Frith, U. Happé, F. (2005). Autism Spectrum Disorder. Current Biology A Cell Press Journal. Volume 15, Issue 19.https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960- 9822(05)01103-6 Goin-Kochel, R (2007). Parental reports on the use of treatments and therapies for children with autism spectrum disorders. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Vol 1, Issue 3. Pages 195-209 Science Direct.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1750946706000171 Hendricks, D. Boswell, B. (2025) VCU RRTC. VCU Rehabilitation Research and Training Center. Virginia Commonwealth University. Just the Facts: DSM-5 and Autism Spectrum Disorder. https://vcurrtc.org/resources/viewContent.cfm/1090#:~:text=This%20information%20doe s%20not%20constitute%20medical%20advice,of%20restricted%20or%20repetitive%20 patterns%20of%20behavior** Mayo Clinic (2025). Diseases & Conditions. Autism spectrum disorder. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/autism-spectrum-disorder/symptomscauses/syc20352928#:~:text=Autism%20spectrum%20disorder%20is%20a,and%20repeated%20p atterns%20of%20behavior. National Conference of State Legislatures (2025). Licensed Professional Counselors’ Ability to Diagnose. NCSL. https://www.ncsl.org/scope-of-practicepolicy/practitioners/behavioral-health-professionals/licensed-professional-counselorsability-to--diagnose#:~:text=Licensed%20professional%20counselors%20(LPCs)%20