The 5 Most Common Stages of Therapy Every New Clinician Should Know
As a new clinician, it can be helpful to understand that therapy is often (but not always) a process that unfolds in stages. While every...
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Erica Cardenas, LCSW
Sep 8
Tips for New Clinicians Navigating Their Early Sessions
Starting your journey as a therapist can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to those first few sessions with clients.
Erica Cardenas, LCSW
May 31
5-Minute Fixes: 5 Self-Care Ideas for Busy Therapists
Let's be real. Getting told to practice self-care is annoying sometimes. You're juggling a lot, and I guess much of the stress comes from...
Erica Cardenas, LCSW
Mar 9
Roadmap for Post-Grad: Essential Points to Consider for New Therapists
If you're reading this, congratulations, soon-to-be graduate! This is a time to celebrate but also a time to answer the dreaded question:...
Erica Cardenas, LCSW
Jan 22
Balancing Act: Tips for Finding Balance as a Grad School Student
Embarking on a graduate program is an exciting endeavor, but it often comes with the challenge of maintaining a healthy work-life...
Erica Cardenas, LCSW
Jan 6
Tips for Choosing the Right Master of Social Work Program
Selecting the right one can shape your academic and professional experience. Here are essential tips to guide you in choosing the perfect...
Erica Cardenas, LCSW
Jan 4
Navigating the Final Stretch: Tips for Master of Social Work Students in Their Last Semester
Your final semester of your Master of Social Work degree is a stressful time. Priority number one is graduating. You may also be thinking...
Erica Cardenas, LCSW
Oct 21, 2023
5 Things to Consider When Picking an Undergraduate University for Your Future Career in Mental He...
Are you thinking about a future in the mental health field? Awesome, we need you! But, let's talk about something crucial: choosing the...
Erica Cardenas, LCSW
Oct 14, 2023
How to Have a Successful Initial Assessment as a New Therapist
Hey there, fellow mental health therapists and soon-to-be super therapists! Today, we're going over some very basic tips for initial...
Erica Cardenas, LCSW
Jun 14, 2023
Journal #16: How My Self-Doubt Has Become Exactly What Made Me Successful
I notice the topic of self-doubt coming up a lot in my sessions with clients. Generally, I do try to help clients build their...
Erica Cardenas, LCSW
Jun 14, 2023
10 Surprising Non-Mental-Health Topics That Made Me a Better Therapist
I’ve heard before that being a therapist is a calling. For me, I would have to agree. Although I have learned to create a work-life...
Erica Cardenas, LCSW
May 29, 2023
Minimize Blank Stares: 10 Surprising Questions to Get Clients Thinking
We have all been in one of these situations: Noticing that sessions have the same pattern/topic of conversation. Wondering what would be...
Erica Cardenas, LCSW
May 31
5-Minute Fixes: 5 Self-Care Ideas for Busy Therapists
Let's be real. Getting told to practice self-care is annoying sometimes. You're juggling a lot, and I guess much of the stress comes from...
Erica Cardenas, LCSW
Apr 27
From Ignorance to Understanding: Your Roadmap to Autism Education (For Therapists)
It is still Autism Awareness Month! Neurodiversity in many forms has become near and dear to my heart as a therapist, and I hope to...
Erica Cardenas, LCSW
Apr 6
Sacred Work: Balancing Faith and Professionalism in Therapy
As social workers and therapists, we have an ethical standard that we do not force our own beliefs onto clients. We also tend to avoid...
Erica Cardenas, LCSW
Nov 27, 2023
Journal: 5 Wonderful, Game-Changing Purchases That Upped My Happiness Quotient
Hey friends! Today, I'm sharing a few things that made me happy this past year. Gifting season is upon us, you know. Now, these are not...
Erica Cardenas, LCSW
Oct 7, 2023
Self-Care Ideas For Busy Professionals
Hey there, fellow BUSY people! I get it – your calendar is jam-packed, your inbox is overflowing, and your to-do list never gets cleared....
Erica Cardenas, LCSW
Oct 1, 2023
A List of the Books I've Been Impulse Buying
Listen, this isn't really an article where I'm giving out recommendations. Really, it's just a list of books I've been buying. I'll leave...
Erica Cardenas, LCSW
Sep 23, 2023
How to Find a Therapist
How Do I Find a Therapist? First things first, do you have insurance? If you have insurance, one option is to call your insurance and ask...
Erica Cardenas, LCSW
Sep 9, 2023
10+ Great, Fairly Low-Cost Ways to Build Your Clinical Skills as a Therapist
Why do we need to build our skills as therapists? Yes, we have to get a certain amount of CEU's to get/maintain our licenses. Beyond...
Erica Cardenas, LCSW
Sep 2, 2023
10 Técnicas de Afrontamiento para Ansiedad
No voy a perder su tiempo. Yo sé que esta leyendo este artículo para poder aprender mas sobre técnicas para manejar la ansiedad. Vamos...
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Jul 29, 2023
15 Awesome Coping Skill Videos to Upgrade Your Toolkit: Anxiety (English)
I won't waste your time here. I know why you clicked. You know why you clicked. Let's get to it. Here is a list of 15 coping skill videos...
Erica Cardenas, LCSW
Jul 14, 2023
More Videos on Breathing Techniques, but the Techniques Get Progressively Harder
Sick of teaching only belly breathing? Has your client mastered belly breathing but really enjoy learning breathing techniques? This list...
Erica Cardenas, LCSW
May 29, 2023
Minimize Blank Stares: 10 Surprising Questions to Get Clients Thinking
We have all been in one of these situations: Noticing that sessions have the same pattern/topic of conversation. Wondering what would be...
Erica Cardenas, LCSW
Jun 15
Can I Have ADHD Symptoms But Not Have ADHD?
Have you ever felt scattered, forgetful, hyper, overwhelmed? Many people have experienced moments where they can't seem to focus,...
Erica Cardenas, LCSW
Jun 6
Are All ADHDers Hyper?
ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. So, most people assume that to have ADHD, you must be high energy all the time....
Erica Cardenas, LCSW
Jun 1
Mental Health Explained: What Does Neurodivergence Mean?
Have you ever heard the term "neurodivergence" and wondered what it means? Let's take a moment to explore this concept together....
Erica Cardenas, LCSW
May 30
Will I Ever Forget My Trauma?
My definition of trauma: Any event, history, or series of events that changed the way you think about yourself or the world around you....
Erica Cardenas, LCSW
May 30
Can Toxic Relationships Be Fixed? Better Questions to Consider
Before we get started, here's something very important: if there is physical or sexual violence in your relationship, therapy can make it...
Erica Cardenas, LCSW
May 10
Are ADHD and ADD the same thing?
You've likely heard people say they have ADD and others say they have ADHD. When you hear these, you likely get the message that the...
Erica Cardenas, LCSW
Apr 8
Navigating the ADHD Mind: Strategies for Improved Productivity and Attention As an Adult
One thing that has astonished and pained me in my work as a therapist is how poorly understood neurodivergence is--by therapists and the...
Erica Cardenas, LCSW
Mar 16
Relaxation Toolbox: Tailored Techniques for Every Age Group
Keep in mind that I could probably list relaxation skills forever. Moreover, what works for one person might not work for another person....
Erica Cardenas, LCSW
Dec 2, 2023
Tis the Season for Setting Goals: Manifest a Wonderful 2024
As we wrap ourselves in the cozy embrace of December, it's a time for slowing down and examining our lives. Even if your December feels...
Erica Cardenas, LCSW
Nov 18, 2023
Why It's Frustrating When Therapists Teach Relaxation Skills for Anxiety
Imagine this scenario: You’re feeling anxiety, and your friend/family member/partner (in all their wisdom) says, “just relax! Stop...
Erica Cardenas, LCSW
Oct 7, 2023
Self-Care Ideas For Busy Professionals
Hey there, fellow BUSY people! I get it – your calendar is jam-packed, your inbox is overflowing, and your to-do list never gets cleared....
Erica Cardenas, LCSW
Sep 23, 2023
How to Find a Therapist
How Do I Find a Therapist? First things first, do you have insurance? If you have insurance, one option is to call your insurance and ask...
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