Congruence as Self-Care: Practicing What We Preach

The subject of self-care for counselors is one that receives plenty of attention in the literature, as well as during conversations in the classroom, staff rooms, supervision, and the dialogues inside our heads. It has been evident since the earliest days of our profession that counselors and therapists must be clear-headed, as well as relatively free of distractions and pressing personal issues, in order to do our best work. And yet, in spite of all the attention on this subject, self-care remains one of the most critical and pressing issues. Even among so-called experts on the subject, there is a certain amount of hypocrisy and failure to practice what is preached.

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About Me

Ryan Thomas Neace

Ryan Thomas Neacehas a comprehensive background in mental health, entrepreneurialism, and education that spans the United States from coast to coast across more than 20 years. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Missouri, Wisconsin, and Virginia, as well as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) in the state of California. He also holds the most advanced clinical mental health credential offered by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) as a Board Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC), Ryan is the Founder (2013) & CEO of Change, Inc., a psychotherapy practice in St. Louis, Missouri, and the Co-Founder (2023) of Juxta, California, Inc., a San Diego, California-based private practice.

Jeffrey Kottler, PhD

Jeffrey A. Kottler is one of the foremost authorities and prolific writers in the fields of counseling, psychology, advocacy, and education. He is the best-selling author of more than 120 nonfiction books that address a wide range of subjects including personal development, group leadership, professional development of psychotherapists and teachers, self-care for helping professionals, social justice, and a variety of contemporary issues. His books have been translated into more than two dozen languages and include a New York Times bestseller and a few that have been produced as feature films. Jeffrey is Professor Emeritus of Counseling at California State University, Fullerton, currently residing in Houston, Texas, his base for traveling the world to speak about issues related to advocacy, social justice, and promoting personal and professional growth for psychotherapists, counselors, teachers, and community leaders.

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