Blog 23

Counseling Hub

How to Prepare for Your SAP Evaluation

How to Prepare for Your SAP Evaluation

Facing a SAP evaluation can be nerve-wracking, especially if you're unsure what to expect. With abeen-there-done-that perspective, I'm ready to arm you with the know-how you need to take on the challenge ahead. First things first, let's gather all the relevant...

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Spotting Common Warning Signs of Relapse

Spotting Common Warning Signs of Relapse

Spotting the common warning signs of relapse is a critical step on the road to recovery. Knowing what to look out for can make all the difference in maintaining sobriety and steering clear of addiction's tight grip. We'll dive into how missing therapy sessions,...

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How Nature Can Benefit Addiction Recovery

How Nature Can Benefit Addiction Recovery

When we talk about the road to sobriety, how nature can benefit addiction recovery is a conversation worth having. Picture this: lush greenery around you, a serene environment that breathes life into your healing process. It's not just about kicking an addiction; it's...

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The Link Between Serotonin and Drug Use

The Link Between Serotonin and Drug Use

People who use drugs have lower levels of serotonin than people who don’t. At least, that seems to be the consensus among scientists who study addiction. But what exactly does that mean? What is serotonin, and why does it seem to be linked to drug use? The discovery...

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Five stages of grief: Is that all there is?

Five stages of grief: Is that all there is?

“I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope”. Jeremiah 29:11 I have always been fascinated with the work of Elizabeth Kubler Ross even before I became a Christian. She devoted her life...

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Preparing for the Hardship Evaluation Process

Preparing for the Hardship Evaluation Process

The hardship evaluations completed at Counseling Centers of Illinois are thorough biopsychosocial reports that look at the impact of relocation of a family member or loved one on a permanent resident or citizen of the U.S.  Our comprehensive biopsychosocial...

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4 Ways to Bring in More Fun with the Family

4 Ways to Bring in More Fun with the Family

Life is short. We need to enjoy the time we have with the people we love, especially our family. However, there are times when spending time with the family falls flat. It can be hard to keep everyone's energy up, especially if you're dealing with preteens and...

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Tried and True Science-Based Parenting Tips

Tried and True Science-Based Parenting Tips

Adults looking for parenting tips have no shortage of sources. Relatives, neighbors, books, parenting classes, teachers, and online experts all believe they have the answers you so desperately need to raise a healthy child. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to...

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Do it Yourself Brand Building in 10 Days!

Do it Yourself Brand Building in 10 Days!

DAY 1 What is a brand? Brand is not just a logo or advertising even though most people think it is. It is meaning behind what you do or want to do. What do people think about you? What do they say? What do they feel? What do they say about you as a counselor? Do you...

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How to Open a Dui Program

How to Open a Dui Program

Credentials requirements Anyone can open a substance abuse treatment program provided they have appropriate credentials that are required by your particular state, and they can prove to the appropriate licensing agency they are capable of running such operation. If...

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Common Myths About Opening Private Practice

Common Myths About Opening Private Practice

Many counselors dream of opening a private practice, even when they are still at school. Unfortunately, they don’t find much understanding and support anywhere. Their teachers don’t encourage them to pursue their goals and quite often discourage them from seeking...

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The Importance of Niche in Private Practice

The Importance of Niche in Private Practice

Success in private practice is not only defined by financial gains but also by our fulfillment. Many counselors do not consider counseling practice as a business and believe that it is mainly their passion. It is important that they love what they do, but they also...

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Holidays and Social Anxiety

Holidays and Social Anxiety

By CCI Team   Most people see the holiday season as a festive time in which there are multiple gatherings with friends and family.  On the flip side, for some others, the same holiday season can be stress, anxiety and even depression provoking. Per a recent...

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Treating Addiction with Medication

Treating Addiction with Medication

By CCI Team The process of treating addiction is not easy, and while psychotherapy is an important part of the process in order to explore the roots of the issue, medication is also often involved. Science Daily recently posted a release regarding the Washington State...

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Is Psychiatry a Religion?

Is Psychiatry a Religion?

By CCI Team, According to Merriam-Webster.com, religion is defined as: a) the service and worship of God of the supernatural, b) commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs and...

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A Different Perspective on Addiction

A Different Perspective on Addiction

By CCI Team Even without going into the science of addiction, I’ve found that many still have a hard time grasping the concept of a drug, alcohol, or substance related addiction, let alone society’s addiction to media. In conversation, many have responded to my face,...

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Is Psychiatry Killing Your Children?

Is Psychiatry Killing Your Children?

By CCI Team We have previously discussed Dr. Lawrence Klemenson, MD’s Mad in America article Psychiatry’s 12-Step Program for Producing Heroin Addicts in which he attempted to drew parallels between Psychiatry’s “brain disease” to the 12 step program.  In a recent...

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Difficulties in Deprescribing

Difficulties in Deprescribing

By CCI Team As a developing counselor, I’ve considered the implications of deprescribing a patient, especially when I am coming from a “less experienced” background. More-so, this critical thinking has enabled me to study and prepare for encounters as such. If I am...

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The Salvation of Psychiatry

The Salvation of Psychiatry

By CCI Team A human’s relationship with another human is a fascinating component of life. The act to which we form a bond with another individual is a beautiful thing. Whether people require daily contact or are content with once a week, people need each other and the...

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What Are You Feeding the Fishes?

What Are You Feeding the Fishes?

Did you know that the U.S. is the third largest consumer of fish and shellfish behind China and Japan?  This amounts to a total of 4.8 billion pounds of seafood, or approximately 15.8 pounds of fish and shellfish consumed per person (both wild-caught and farmed),...

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Exercise and Depression

Exercise and Depression

Exercise is one of those aspects of life where we as humans choose to put ourselves through physical pain in order to make ourselves bigger, faster, stronger, or at least that’s the idea. Moreover, exercise is popularly used to shape one’s self to what our culture...

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Are Antidepressants the Real Killer?

Are Antidepressants the Real Killer?

Science and technology continues to be a progressive movement where the improvement of people, places, and things is inevitable. This includes the science behind mental health and the biological studies done on medication in hope to find the means of a cure for...

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Depression Is…All Around Us

Depression Is…All Around Us

Big Think’s recent article The Most Debilitating Disease in the World Isn't Just in Your Head discussed the World Health Organization’s  (WHO) announcement that Major Depressive Disorder, more commonly known as depression is now the leading cause of poor health and...

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Secrets of Sex Appeal

Secrets of Sex Appeal

We live in a day and age where sex appeal is everything. However, it is up for discussion for how it is defined. In today’s society, the media tells us how to alter our physical appearance, increase muscle tone, what clothing style is “in”, and how one should wear...

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Is Psychiatry to Blame for Rising Drug Dependence?

Is Psychiatry to Blame for Rising Drug Dependence?

By CCI Team We live in a world where information is easily attainable, and various sources are available to not only supply the information we are seeking, but also supply support for our views, whatever they may be.  While it would be easy to search only for sources...

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The Batman Killer

The Batman Killer

By CCI Team   Many of us are aware of the Colorado movie theater shooting that took place back in July 2012. As one of the worst shootings recorded, murderer James Holmes was later tested for a series of mental disorders. As a result, these diagnoses later lead...

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Words and Their Impact

Words and Their Impact

By CCI Team We all grew up hearing the saying, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” However, this statement isn’t entirely true. No matter the intention or meaning, words do have impact whether we like it or not. When it comes to...

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What is a DUI Evaluation?

What is a DUI Evaluation?

By Anna Jankowska MA LCPC Whenever you are arrested for a DUI whether it is in the state of Illinois or in any other state, you have to undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation. The purpose of this evaluation is to determine the degree of the person’s alcohol and/or drug...

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Desperation: You’re Not Alone

Desperation: You’re Not Alone

By Brendan Cole - Graduate Intern Recently, many are aware of the death of singer Chester Bennington, who committed suicide this past month. From heartfelt social media posts to concerts dedicated in his name, the loss of the singer impacted the music world majorly....

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Best Ways to Deal with Stress Natural Ways

Best Ways to Deal with Stress Natural Ways

Did you know that nearly a quarter of all Americans are under varying amounts of extreme stress? According to the American Psychological Association, approximately 85,605,500 people rated their stress levels at a level eight, nine or 10 on a 10-point scale in 2011....

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3 Ways Humans Deal with Anger

3 Ways Humans Deal with Anger

By CCI Team Anger is a reaction to a threat or insult that can be all-consuming and sometimes, difficult to deal with. While anger is a normal human emotion, how we deal with it is important for mental health and a sense of peace. If not handled well, anger can become...

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13 Signs of a Cheating Partner

13 Signs of a Cheating Partner

Most of us have been cheated on at some point or another. In fact, up to around 60% of married couples have engaged in cheating. This is an alarming statistic but rings true if you suspect your partner is cheating on you. If you have a tingling feeling they are being...

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Trump and Immigration

Trump and Immigration

By Lawyer Christopher Kurczaba While campaigning for President, Donald Trump pledged to increase enforcement of immigration laws.  After the election, surrogates claim Trump will have more moderate views.  No one is sure what will happen, but given a...

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TRUMP I IMIGRACJA

TRUMP I IMIGRACJA

By Lawyer Christopher Kurczaba W trakcie ubiegania się o urząd Prezydenta, Donald Trump zapowiadał zaostrzenie egzekwowania prawa imigracyjnego. Zastępcy oraz współpracownicy Trumpa twierdzą, że po wyborach będzie miał bardziej umiarkwane poglądy. Nikt nie jest pewien...

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