Blog

Explore content produced by Northwestern University’s faculty and staff

Dr. Katherine M. Atkins Dr. Cori Costello Dr. Tonya Davis
Dr. Russell Fulmer Dr. Michele Kerulis Dr. Nate Perron
Dr. Jinah Jimenez Rordam Dr. Lee Teufel-Prida Dr. Stephannee Standefer

Halloween and Paranormal Issues in Counseling

October 31, 2016 

Things that go bump in the night. Seeing something out of the corner of your eye. Feeling as if something is behind you. Having a feeling that something is not quite right.

 

These are things that countless people around the world have experienced. Some attribute these experiences to a sixth sense while others believe that there are sound, scientific explanations for them. However, for clinicians the question remains: What is the proper approach of a counselor with a client reporting paranormal issues? 

Youth and Concussions: Insight on Prevention and Protocol from Athletic Trainer Amanda Khor

September 26, 2016 

A big rush from the running back gets the team closer to the end zone!

Fall is in the air, and that means football season is here. Along with the tailgates and touchdowns come concussions. A form of a traumatic brain injury (TBI), concussions are common in many sports and have received more attention lately as former professional athletes have come forward with their stories about long-term struggles that resulted from multiple concussions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention External link  estimates that between 1.6 million and 3.8 million sports- and recreation-related concussions happen annually in the United States. People who have concussions can experience headaches, personality changes, motor control problems, depression, and insomnia, to name a few symptoms.

Counseling and William Shakespeare: An Interdisciplinary Blog Entry in Five Acts

September 8, 2016 

William Shakespeare Engraving

Don’t judge a book by its cover. At first glance, the counseling field and works of William Shakespeare may seem to have little in common, but looks can be deceiving. Beneath the cover, both are defined by an interest in the human condition: What makes us tick? What drives us? What confounds us? Let’s explore the connection in a little more depth.

Back to School Stress: How to Mentally Prepare for Tryouts

August 31, 2016 

Summer is coming to an end, students are heading back to school, and sports tryouts are right around the corner. Athletes of all ages experience jitters when it comes to tryouts or being scouted. No matter your level of play, these four tips can help you prepare your mind so that you can confidently perform under pressure during tryouts.

How to Maintain a Healthy Relationship: Tips for Couples from The Family Institute

August 24, 2016 

Couples in romantic relationships frequently receive advice—solicited or not—from family, friends, and even strangers. Such suggestions can be vague and unwarranted, providing couples with little quality information. For couples that want concrete and realistic advice, The Family Institute at Northwestern University publishes a “Tip of the Month External link ” series on relationships.  

Mental Health of Affluent Teens: The Challenge of Prosperity

August 22, 2016 

Our society is the most affluent in the history of the world, but wealth does not protect children from being at risk. Everyone knows someone whose child has seriously faltered, who has fallen into addiction, depression, or a more amorphous sort of “failure to thrive.”

Self-Care Solutions: Your Body Sitting at a Computer

August 2, 2016 

How you sit and how long you sit can affect how balanced a life you lead, and as a result, how long of a life you live. Sedentary lifestyles can cause a host of physical and mental health issues. Even weekend warriors and those who manage to squeeze in a morning workout before a long day of sitting are not completely out of the woods. So, what are we supposed to do when school and work are so central to our lives? Here’s a closer look at what happens to your body when you sit, and how you can make some healthy changes.

AMHCA Conference Recap

July 28, 2016 

The American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA External link ) recently celebrated its 40th anniversary at its annual conference in New Orleans. As the only national professional organization representing clinical mental health counselors, AMHCA presented a conference featuring innovative strategies to enhance the profession and the lives of clients. The conference theme was “Building Professional Resilience in Challenging Times” and featured keynote addresses by Drs. Thomas Joiner, Maureen Duffy, and Juliana Ekong as well as Major General Margaret Wilmoth.

Self-Care Solutions: Your 10-Minute Anywhere Workout

July 19, 2016 

If you have ever had a scheduling conundrum, you know that getting everything done in a week, a day, or even an hour can have you throwing your hands up in the air in exasperation. Rather than getting lost in the chaos, turn that feeling into motivation. Life can be a puzzle and you have to see where the pieces fit — especially when it comes to finding a place for exercise.

Four Steps for Creating a Healthy Body Image During Summer Months

July 14, 2016 

Cropped shot of a young sportsman drinking water while running on riverbank. Warm sunset tones.

The pressure to look good and show off our bodies is high during summer. Developing a healthy body image and being confident from the inside out takes concentrated effort and practice. Rejecting the body-shaming trend and speaking positively to yourself are ways you can practice developing a healthy body image. External factors, such as properly fitting clothing, eating well, and exercise, can bolster your body-to-mind confidence and include benefits like feeling healthier and lowering risk for disease.