Through the Eyes of a Therapist

A therapist POV about how progress notes are written after client sessions. Tips, tricks, and best practices for counselors/therapists are reviewed by Cristal Acosta, LPC-S, NCC, CCTP. Click here--->RATE AND REVIEW on APPLE PODCASTS ***** If you like this episode, give to the podcast at PATREON $$$ SUPPORT Visit me on social media! TikTok profile Instagram Profile or book therapy/speaking engagements at www.clarityelpaso.com If you're a therapist who needs CEUs go to https://www.clarityelpaso.com/online-courses and use code "STUDENT24" to get $10 off Essentials for a Trauma Sensitive Practice workshop on 4/5/2024 Advice from this podcast should never substitute help/advice from your own medical/health professionals. This podcast is not therapy or a consultation. Copyright infringement is never intended. For entertainment purposes only.

A therapist who models and another who does interior design?! Yes, please!   Eloy Castro and Luis Cornejo are both Latine, queer, gay, creative mental health professionals who are in the style industry and you MUST hear their stories. They recall their journeys toward authenticity, genuine self expression, and risk taking. They also talk about the intersections amongst counseling, style, makeup, modeling, and interior design.   Here is how you can get in touch with them: Luis Cornejo website- www.luis-cornejo.com and insta- https://instagram.com/luis_thee_lmft Eloy Castro website- www.castrodesigns-sf.com and insta- https://instagram.com/castrodesigns_sf   If you like this episode, give to the podcast at https://www.patreon.com/Therapistcristal Visit me on social media! https://www.tiktok.com/@thrutheeyzofatherapist   https://www.instagram.com/throughtheeyesofatherapist/ or book therapy/speaking engagements at www.clarityelpaso.com If you're a therapist who needs CEUs go to https://www.clarityelpaso.com/online-courses and use code "THERAPISTPOD5" to get $5 off any course! Advice from this podcast should never substitute help/advice from your own medical/health professionals. This podcast is not therapy or a consultation. Copyright infringement is never intended.

"Empathy without boundaries is a path to self-destruction." Have you heard this saying before?  For healers, counselors, therapists, social workers, this statement is so heavy and true! Empathy and compassion are main tenets of our work with other humans and if we don't set boundaries for others and ourselves in different areas of our lives, this can lead to a place of resentment and burnout. Cristal Acosta, private practice owner and therapist of over a decade who has worked in many settings, gives therapists 5 ways to set boundaries. Visit me on social media! https://www.tiktok.com/@thrutheeyzofatherapist   https://www.instagram.com/throughtheeyesofatherapist/   or book therapy/speaking engagements at www.clarityelpaso.com If you're a therapist who needs CEUs go to https://www.clarityelpaso.com/online-courses and use code "THERAPISTPOD5" to get $5 off any course! Advice from this podcast should never substitute help/advice from your own medical/health professionals. This podcast is not therapy or a consultation. Copyright infringement is never intended.    

Thanks for listening for 6 seasons everyone! We have been on since 2018 and this year we will continue to bring light to mental health issues, humanize therapists, and demystify therapy! Every hero has an origin story, and this episode describes how TTEOAT was born. Enjoy! Visit me on social media! https://www.tiktok.com/@thrutheeyzofatherapist   https://www.instagram.com/throughtheeyesofatherapist/   or book therapy/speaking engagements at www.clarityelpaso.com If you're a therapist who needs CEUs go to https://www.clarityelpaso.com/online-courses and use code "THERAPISTPOD5" to get $5 off any course!

These two counselors crossed paths while filming a reality show/docuseries in the summer of 2022...so of course we had to record a conversation about the therapist perspective! Jade Eytcheson, CEO of Willowtree Therapeutic Services, and Cristal talk about their experiences being filmed on the show. Season 5 of The Blox drops on January 26, 2023 on Facebook Watch!   Be ready by downloading the app to watch them compete here: GOOGLE-https://play.google.com/store/apps/developer?id=BetaBlox&gl=US&pli=1 iOS- https://apps.apple.com/us/developer/betablox/id1598009781   See Jade's professional profile here- https://www.linkedin.com/in/jade-hall-520579b3/  

Elisa Dobler, LCSW-S and Cristal Acosta, LPC-S, NCC, CCTP basically hang out and record a conversation about their thoughts on Love is Blind Season 3. So JUICY. And excuse the F bombs. Support the podcast here: https://patron.podbean.com/therapisteyes Mentioned in the episode:  https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/love-is-blind-season-3-cast-where-are-they-now Ruptures-https://www.gottman.com/blog/turn-toward-instead-of-away/   *Copyright infringement is never intended* *Commentary or information from this podcast is for entertainment purposes only. You should never replace information from this podcast with advice from your own mental health/medical professional(s)*

Cristal and Elisa, two licensed therapists, are back on the show with their expert opinions on how to keep new years resolutions.  Elisa talks about trends she noticed last year and gives some WISE feedback on what she thinks about failed new year's resolutions. Cristal talks about her personal evolution and maturity when it comes to prioritizing her health. Cristal and Elisa talk: Habit Stacking, Packed Gyms, Self-Compassion, and Creating Rituals.   Link to article mentioned: https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/living/story/experts-share-advice-making-new-years-resolutions-start-94364502   If you want short videos with mental health expertise, subscribe to Cristal's tiktok page: https://www.tiktok.com/@thrutheeyzofatherapist Don't miss out on FREE downloadable PDFs at www.clarityelpaso.com    

Mom guilt: preoccupation with feeling "not good enough" as a parent/caregiver, questioning your decisions or indecisions about parenting, feeling guilty about taking care of yourself, thinking you might "mess up" your kids. I talk about my experience with "therapist mom" guilt in this episode.   Influencing factors to mom guilt are also addressed: the patriarchy, unfair and unattainable societal norms, and other forms of oppression.   Go to www.clarityelpaso.com for more info or follow me on insta www.instagram.com/throughtheeyesofatherapist.  Makeup and mental health: https://www.tiktok.com/@thrutheeyzofatherapist  

Hi everyone! In this episode I talk about the beginning of the holiday season...and the stress that comes along with it. Also mentioned: systems theory and ideas on how to give gifts on a person's love language!

In another candid and unedited episode, I walk you through a typical day of working at home in solo private practice. I talk about why copywriting and letting your voice and purpose shine through in website descriptions is a good way to increase SEO and communicate with potential clients. Mentioned in this episode: Mi colega, Mishka Kimball at  https://www.thekimballcollective.com/  

Season 5 is the most candid season yet. Raw and unfiltered audio. Unedited thoughts from Cristal Acosta, LPC-S, Board Certified Counselor takes you along with her on the day to day life of entrepreneur life and therapist life. Visit www.clarityelpaso.com to find out more or https://linktr.ee/Cristalacosta to sign up for consultations, e courses, or trainings!

Ashley Zayas and Zamanda Martinez, are two therapists featured on the Therapists Looking for Love Episode. We analyze the show, talk about each couple and their dynamics, and say what we think as “regular viewers” and as “therapists”. Join us for the chisme and the clinical view.   PS: Beware of spoilers!   *This podcast is not therapy/counseling or consultation. It is for entertainment purposes only.*   Want to see my guests and I record in our online studio? Sign up on www.patreon.com/therapistcristal  

Do you wonder what therapists who are self-employed do for a living? How do we make ends meet? How do we make our ideas come to fruition?   In this episode I speak with two other therap-preneurs, Ashlei Lien, LMFT and Dr. Cristina Bautista, who have several business ventures that we call “side hustles”.  These folx are BUSAYYY with kids, travel, writing books, teaching fitness classes, and running startups.   We talk about mindset, goal setting, money and time management, self-care, and confidence.   More about today’s guests: Ashlei Lien https://ashleilien.wixsite.com/website/about   Dr. Cristina Bautista https://drcristinabautistapsyd.com   https://Spanishforprofessionalsinstitute.com   https://ayudaparatodoshelpforeveryone.com

For those of you who are interested or curious about the PhD track in therapy, here are two of my colleagues talking about their experiences in higher education. Viridiana Sigala and Federico Mendez discuss balancing personal and work life, first generation student struggles, bilingualism, marginalization, biculturalism, and more.   My new Patreon—> https://www.patreon.com/Therapistcristal   Here’s more about today’s guests:   Federico Mendez, (he/him), is a cisgendered, Hispanic, gay, male who is a bilingual (English/Spanish) therapist in North Richland Hills, TX. He sees individuals, couples/marriage and families struggling with anxiety, PTSD, trauma, marital issues, sexuality, and overall relationship issues. He has his own private practice, Intimacy Counseling & Consulting, serving clients online throughout the State of Texas or in-person in the Fort Worth, TX areas. He is also the Director of Veteran Mental Health Services at a local non-profit providing therapy to Veterans and their families. Federico is also pursuing his PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy from Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth with research interest in male sexual fluidity and romantic relationships. You can reach him by visiting his website at: www.intimacycc.com or on social media FB: @Intimacy.cc or TikTok: @intimacycounseling or IG: freddy_junior2000 Viridiana Sigala (she/her) LCSW-S, is a bilingual (English/Spanish) clinician who has experience in medical social work, mental health services with Native American and Hispanic children, adolescents and adults, crisis intervention, and mental health program administration. Her research interests include mental health disparities in minority communities, cultural competence, community-based behavioral health practice, and immigration. She is currently the Mental Health Coordinator at Ysleta del Sur Pueblo and has been there almost 6 years now. Viri is a Ph.D.Candidate at Our Lady of the Lake University pursuing her doctoral degree in Social work. She is also a part time faculty professor at the University of Texas at El Paso. You can reach her at vsigalamh@gmail.com

Get your cafecito because this is gonna be juicy!  Cristal asks 3 therapists who are in the dating scene what it’s like out there looking for love. She speaks with Ashley, Zamanda, and Carmen, three therapists who are at different stages of companionship seeking. Dating apps, running into clients, attachment styles, and queer love are discussed. Cristal’s marriage tips/perspectives are included!    Here’s more about today’s guests:   Ashley Zayas, LCSW (they/xe) has been a therapist for 9 years and founded their private practice in 2020. Xe works primarily with BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ adults who experience a range of things such as depression, anxiety, and trauma from a decolonial and anti-oppressive lens. They are licensed in New York and New Jersey, for more information, visit www.bipocrestorativetherapylcsw.com Zamanda Martinez Is a bilingual therapist in Arlington, TX. She sees adolescents and adults struggling with grief & loss, anxiety, depression and trauma. As a proud first generation American coming from strong Mexican roots, She works collaboratively with individuals and families to provide a culturally sensitive approach to tailor the individual needs of the client. Apart from being a therapist, she enjoys running, hiking, yoga, reading and playing the ukulele. Carmen Rodriguez is an Immigrant from Mexico and lives in the Midwest. She is a social worker who currently works in a community mental health agency. The population she serves are children and teens in a school setting. She enjoys watching B rated horror movies, playtime with her dog and learning new hobbies (currently taking pottery classes).   Remember to interact with Cristal on Instagram @throughtheeyesofatherapistpod   https://instagram.com/throughtheeyesofatherapistpod  

Brenda Risch, PhD, LCSW and Cristal Acosta, LPC-S, NCC, CCTP, continue the conversation about the bigger picture related to gender affirming care in Texas.  With recent opinions from the Texas Governor and Attorney General saying that this type of care should be reported to DFPS, the implications are far reaching.     We hope that this two part series has provided sound evidence that gender affirming care seeking families and caregivers should not be reported to DFPS. Please continue to utilize the resources available to you (such as the Borderland Rainbow Center) for cutting edge training on these topics. Study your laws, ethics, and best practices.   To continue the support of our local trans-affirming haven, I will be hosting a giveaway on instagram! So please visit my page https://instagram.com/throughtheeyesofatherapistpod for details!   Thank you again to Dr.Risch for her time and energy.   And to my audience, I appreciate your willingness to listen to our points of view on these two episodes! Please visit www.borderlandrainbow.org and click the big DONATE button to securely donate through PayPal.  

In this two part series, 2 therapists explore what is happening in Texas with Governor Greg Abbott and Trans Youth.  In a recent upheaval on the Texas Capitol, Texas Governor and Texas Attorney General stated their opinion that offering trans affirming care should be considered child abuse and that the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (AKA, CPS) should investigate those who are allowing the trans youth in their care to access and receive these services.   This obviously caused panic and trauma amongst the trans community–their caregivers and providers who protect and serve them.   Implications of denying this care stretch far and deep.   Let’s discuss!   And if you want to make a quick and meaningful difference please visit www.borderlandrainbow.org and click DONATE to securely donate through PayPal.

Marilyn F. Corbin-Burdick, LPC and Cristal Acosta, LPC-S, NCC, CCTP (both Borderland, Latine Therapists) FINALLY saw Encanto and FINALLY discussed it on the podcast.  Themes about intergenerational trauma, shared language with clients, representation in media, and miraculous happy endings (thanks Disney) are SQUEEZED into a 30 minute episode.     Let us know what you want to hear more about by giving me feedback on www.instagram.com/throughtheeyesofatherapistpod

Elisa D. LCSW and Cristal Acosta, LPC-S, friends and colleagues, are back together on this episode to have a chat about what makes them happy.  Joy is an important part of self-care and replenishing the “therapist self”.  Listen in as they talk about video games, Paw Patrol, and Seinfeld.   Tell us what makes you happy on Instagram https://instagram.com/throughtheeyesofatherapistpod   *This podcast is not therapy. This podcast is not a substitute for any advice from a medical professional.   Visit www.clarityelpaso.com for therapy services in Texas.  

What are the hazards of being a counselor? Loneliness, existential dread, and VT of course! In this episode, Cristal shares a few reasons why a therapist would choose to see their own counselor…aside from occupational hazards!   Mentioned in this episode: HTTPS://www.sondermind.com   Latinxtherapy https://latinxtherapy.com/find-a-therapist/   Clinicians of Color: https://www.cliniciansofcolor.org/find-a-therapist/   Therapy in Color https://www.therapyincolor.org   www.psychologytoday.com