I recently scanned a book, Healing Trauma(published by Norton in 2003), and ran across a new name (for me) for the problem of complex PTSD–Disorders of Extreme Stress NOS or DESNOS. Because many christian counselors are only marginally aware of the research on complex PTSD I’ve decided to give a brief summary here.
The following symptom presentation may be [...]
Entries from August 2009
August 31, 2009
Disorders of Extreme Stress Not Otherwise Specified (DESNOS)
August 28, 2009
The danger of “why” questions
Most thoughtful counselees want to ask “why” questions. Why do I do what I do? Why did she do what she did? Why am I the way I am? Why am I so depressed? Why isn’t my life going the way it should or seems to go for others? Counselors too ask “why” questions. Why did you blow up at [...]
August 25, 2009
Laughing at stupidity?
Here’s one more line from David Goneau’s sermon (not quoted):
Why do we laugh at Elaine’s dancing on Seinfeld or any one of the idiotic characters on The Office? Isn’t because these characters are so obviously out of step with social acceptability?
What we laugh at reveals what we value most: acceptability.
Hmm. I think he may be [...]
August 24, 2009
Two ways to look at suffering
Yesterday, one of our pastors, David Goneau, preached on Acts 13 and made the following point: “Jesus’ Lordship advances through suffering.” His point was that through the book of Acts one cannot miss that the message of Christianity spread through the starter soil of opposition. Consider the cross, Stephen, Peter, Paul, James, etc.
So, there are [...]
August 21, 2009
Case consultation by videoconference?
For my counselor readers…how interested would you be in participating in videoconferenced case consultations with an expert in your field for the purpose of discussing client cases with that expert? Bear in mind that this kind of activity would have to meet ethical guidelines (e.g., no identifying information about any clients could be revealed, clear distinction that this [...]
August 20, 2009
Be Anxious for Nothing???
Posted slides on my “Articles, Slides…” page (#13 on the list) from the talk I gave last night at Macedonia Baptist Church. Talk entitled: Be Anxious for Nothing??? Dealing with Anxiety in a Frightening World.
August 19, 2009
Apologies revisited and moral outrage
The matter of Michael Vick and his return to the NFL cannot be escaped–especially when you live in Philadelphia Eagle territory. Seems the media cannot get enough of him: Can he be forgiven? Is he truly sorry? Has he paid his debt? Should he get a second chance?
I care little about these matters but would [...]
August 18, 2009
Cultural sensitivity or watered down
Having been in meetings yesterday and today about our next steps regarding counseling training in Rwanda, I’m wrestling with the best way to address cultural differences in whatever training we do. And specifically I’m wrestling with a particular dilemma forming in my mind:
Teach what we know about counseling NOW but be unaware of subtle but important cultural [...]
August 17, 2009
The APA on identity therapy and conversion therapy
[Let me wade into something that tends to fire up lots of feelings and lead to controversy. And let me ask all to be civil. Civility seems to be the first thing that disappears when we discuss matters near and dear to our hearts. But let us be different and listen to each other rather than talk [...]
August 13, 2009
Are you a genetic fatalist?
Definition of a genetic fatalist: If I have genetic markers for _____, then I will have _____ problem.
Maybe this doesn’t happen to you but I find that when I have conversations about a wide variety of counseling related issues, they end up hitting upon the genetic question? Whether we are discussing anxiety, depression, alcoholism, sexual [...]
