One of my favorite volunteer gigs right now is that I get to edit the quarterly newsletter of Oregon’s chapter of the American Counseling Association. It’s been fun to revamp this small journal’s content to focus on issues surrounding social justice as they relate to the counseling profession in Oregon. And it’s always a huge blast to find and reach out topotential contributors and advertisers, edit content, and manage/do all of the design and layout. If you’re interested in issues affecting this field and this work, check out the fall edition of The Counselor, out today 🙂 

Happy November, Oregon Counselors!

We hope you enjoy our fall issue of The Counselor.

A couple months back, we solicited articles for a special issue, Focus On: Intersectionality, and we’re grateful that so many of you chose to write to us and share a part of your story. Because of you, this month we’re pleased to share some really insightful perspectives on how privilege plays out in a session, how it affects our field, and some simple things we can do to help ourselves, our colleagues, and our clients feel seen, heard, and valued.

In this issue:

Making It Visible by Raina Hassan, LPC

All Perpetrators, All Victims by Victor Chang, Ph.D, LPC

Weight-Inclusive Care by Hilary Kinavey, LPC

It’s Intimidating and Important… So Let’s Talk About It by Gianna Russo-Mitma, MS, LMFT

Between Worlds and Identities by Neil Panchmatia

COPACT Corner: SB 860: What Does It Mean? by Larry Conner, LPC

OACES Corner: Changing Campus Climate by Joel Lane, LPC, Ph.D

2017 ORCA Power + Privilege Essay Award Winners’ Essays!

Counseling the Person with Legal Blindness by Deb Marinos, CRC, LPC Intern

Veterans Have Their Own Culture by Rev. Shane Nelson

And if you haven’t had a chance to check out our summer issue, you might want to check that out – especially to read Summer Brown’s thoughtful essay on counseling and intersectionality. (We’re so excited to see her keynote at this week’s ORCA conference!)

Hope you’re enjoying the change of seasons, and hope to see you at the conference 🙂

Moira Ryan, LPC

Editor, The Counselor

One of my favorite volunteer gigs right now is that I get to edit the quarterly newsletter of Oregon’s chapter of the American Counseling Association. It’s been fun to revamp this small journal’s content to focus on issues surrounding social justice as they relate to the counseling profession in Oregon. And it’s always a huge blast to find and reach out to potential contributors and advertisers, edit content, and manage/do all of the design and layout. If you’re interested in issues affecting this field and this work, check out the summer edition of The Counselor, out today 🙂 

Happy August, Oregon Counselors!

We hope you enjoy our summer issue of The Counselor.

A couple months back, we solicited articles for a special issue Focus On: Diversity + Inclusion, and we’re grateful that so many of you chose to write to us and share a part of your story. Because of you, this month we’re pleased to share some really insightful perspectives on what othering feels like – and some simple things we can do to help ourselves, our colleagues, and our clients feel seen, heard, and valued. Thanks especially to Summer Brown (ORCA’s 2017 Conference keynote speaker), whose article “Between Transparancy & Awareness” is funny, frank, and a real must-read.

In addition, our Summer issue invites you to 1) join us in starting Oregon’s first ALGBTIC chapter, 2) learn more about the many, MANY ways our lobbyist (paid for by your membership dues!) and the COPACT team have been championing Oregon counselors this legislative season, 3) think more critically about granting access to records, 4) meet your new representatives, one of whom is just back from advocating for us in D.C., and 5) print out a handy-dandy list of social justice primers for your next trip to Powell’s.

Thanks for reading! And hope to see you at the ORCA picnic this weekend 🙂

Moira Ryan, LPC

Editor, The Counselor

Since 2013, I’ve been proud to volunteer at William Temple House. It’s one of the last social service agencies that never asks its patrons for proof of income, long wait times, or prayer before receiving services. The “castle” itself – called Mackenzie House – is a wonderful space full of hidden crevices, creaky turrets, and other Victorian flourishes that never add up to a “church basement feeling.” Its food pantry is one of the best in Portland, allowing folks to truly shop for fresh vegetables, milk, and meat along canned items. Its counseling department is one of the most well-respected in the area: most folks, dependent on OHP or Kaiser, might be able to access counseling once a month by burned-out new graduates with huge caseloads, whereas at William Temple House you’re afforded access to weekly treatment by excellent providers who are supported by free weekly trainings and supervision.

If you’re in need of a hand up – and we all are, from time to time – please consider visiting this amazing organization. If you’re looking for a worthy place for which to offer your time or donations, again, please consider William Temple House.