Counselor Toolbox Podcast with DocSnipes

Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes
  • 4.7 (611)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Biweekly

Counselors, coaches and sober companions help hundreds of thousands of people affected by Addictions and Mental Health issues each year. Learn about the current research and practical counseling tools to improve your skills and provide the best possible services. Counselor Toolbox targets counselors, coaches and companions, but can also provide useful counseling self-help tools for persons struggling with these issues and their loved ones. AllCEUs is an approved counseling continuing education provider for addiction and mental health counselors in most states. Counseling CEUs are available for each episode.

  1. 1d ago

    Developing Assertiveness Skills & Improving Communication

    Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes, provides a comprehensive guide to developing assertiveness skills, defined as the ability to clearly and respectfully state one's feelings, wants, and needs (0:34). Key Takeaways: Defining Assertiveness: It is characterized by honesty, ownership of one's needs, and mutual respect, sitting in the "sweet spot" between submissive passivity and destructive aggression (0:42, 6:42). Barriers to Assertiveness: Stress/Anxiety: The brain's natural "fight-or-flight" response can make it feel dangerous to be direct (10:51). Social Expectations: Changing your communication style may surprise or frustrate those who are accustomed to your previous behavior (14:51, 16:41). Cognitive Barriers: Past experiences or distortions like "overgeneralization" can lead people to believe that being assertive is unsafe or futile (17:21, 25:51). Core Characteristics: Assertive communication relies on appropriate eye contact, open posture, a well-modulated voice, and proper timing (28:20, 31:32). Practical Techniques: Reality Checks: Evaluate your current perceptions against objective facts (24:05). I-Statements: Use the formula: "When you do [behavior], I feel [feeling], because [effect]" to communicate needs without accusation (46:54). Constructive Feedback: Provide objective, actionable information rather than personal attacks (48:13). Win-Win Requests: State your needs and show how meeting them benefits both parties (50:28). Fogging: A method for handling criticism by acknowledging the truth in it while remaining the final judge of your actions (59:07). The presentation encourages learners to start small, perhaps practicing with safe individuals or even pets, to build confidence before applying these skills in higher-stakes environments (9:14, 55:27). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  2. Sep 11

    Strengthening Relationships with Healthy Boundaries

    00:00 Introduction & Topics Covered 01:00 What Are Boundaries? 02:30 How Childhood Shapes Boundaries 04:30 Learning and Modeling Boundaries 06:30 Weak, Rigid, and Mixed Boundaries 08:30 Understanding Safe vs. Healthy Boundaries 10:00 Five Types of Boundaries 12:00 Physical and Interpersonal Boundaries 14:00 Emotional, Cognitive, and Environmental Boundaries 17:00 Setting Boundaries Based on Relationships 18:30 Benefits of Healthy Boundaries 21:00 The Four Laws of Boundaries 26:00 Choosing Who to Let In 31:00 Respecting Others’ Boundaries 37:00 Communicating and Maintaining Boundaries 41:00 Understanding Boundary Violators 44:30 Categories of People and Boundaries 47:30 Maintaining Safety Through Boundaries 49:00 Evaluating and Adjusting Boundaries 52:00 Boundary Workout Practice 55:00 Building Your Boundary Bill of Rights 56:00 Summary and Developing Trust Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  3. Sep 4

    Group Activities for Developing Self Esteem and Empowerment

    00:00 Welcome & Overview of Self-Esteem/Efficacy 01:06 Why Self-Esteem and Efficacy Matter 02:39 Attachment, Self-Worth, and Social Connection 03:43 Understanding Self-Efficacy and Its Origins 05:00 Building Strengths and Addressing Obstacles 06:06 Secure Attachment & the CARES Framework 07:04 Consistency, Attention, and Responsiveness 09:07 Encouragement, Safety, and Self-Belief 10:53 Group Activity: Stations for Secure Attachment 13:12 Processing Group Activities and Lived Experience 15:45 Overcoming Feelings of Unworthiness and Powerlessness 17:32 Separating Self from Accomplishments and Past Mistakes 19:01 Exploring Core Beliefs and Self-Talk 21:03 Challenging Stereotypes and Being Mindful 22:49 Descriptor Card Activity & Mindless vs Mindful Living 25:30 Examining Autopilot Behaviors and Mainstream Messages 28:00 Teaching Mindfulness and Present Focus 29:53 Activities for Mindful Awareness and Resource Identification 34:04 Addressing Fear, Anger, and Downregulation Skills 35:51 Downregulation Toolbox & Safety Practices 41:07 Challenging Unhelpful Thoughts and Cognitive Distortions 44:44 Gamifying Self-Esteem: Activities & Ads 47:02 Effective Goal Setting in Recovery 50:09 Personal Goal Practice and Group Support 52:00 Morning and Evening Reflections for Self-Concept 54:00 Recognizing Strengths & Playing Jenga for Traits 55:04 Dialectics, Failure, and the Elephant in the Room 57:07 Addressing Hecklers and Emotional Baggage 59:00 Cultivating Your Garden: Plant Lessons for Growth 01:00:04 Lifelong Self-Esteem, Efficacy & Closing Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  4. Aug 28

    Developing Rapport to Enhance Success in Healthy Relationships

    00:00 Introduction and Importance of Rapport 03:05 Challenges in Building Rapport 06:04 Rapport and Client Vulnerability 10:00 Creating Safety and Promoting Authenticity 13:44 The SHARE Pneumonic for Rapport 16:20 Mutually Agreeable Goals in Therapy 19:12 Avoiding Common Rapport-Breaking Mistakes 24:32 Voluntary vs Involuntary Clients 26:08 Transparency and Documentation with Clients 28:23 Helping Clients Feel Safe and Heard 32:29 Challenges with Safety and Cultural Sensitivity 36:36 Environmental and First Contact Considerations 42:00 Behaviors for Building Client Safety (ACE Approach) 45:01 Active Listening and Communication Skills 49:06 Questioning Strategies and Non-Verbals 52:49 Understanding Projection and Transference 56:01 Displacement, Supervision, and Losing Rapport 59:47 Maintaining Rapport and Recognizing Signs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  5. Aug 21

    13 Skills for Developing Healthy Relationships

    00:00 Welcome & Overview of Relationship Skills 03:04 Awareness of Self and Others 10:06 Authenticity and Honesty 15:59 Acceptance of Differing Opinions 18:36 Attention and Love Languages 21:44 Understanding and Setting Boundaries 25:40 Consistency and Building Trust 27:48 Defensiveness and Communication Challenges 29:42 Communication Styles & Assertiveness 32:32 Cultivating Compassion 35:25 Healthy Compromise in Relationships 38:34 Encouragement and Honest Feedback 41:03 Forgiveness and Letting Go 43:37 Intimacy and Varying Levels of Connection 47:04 Responsibility & The Blame Game 49:09 Healthy Responsiveness 52:16 Unconditional Positive Regard 54:57 Bringing It All Together & Final Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  6. Aug 14

    How Childhood Trauma Impacts Adult Physical & Mental Health

    00:00 Welcome & Overview of Childhood Trauma 04:44 Definitions: Trauma, Attachment, & Adverse Experiences 11:05 What Are ACEs? Basic Concepts & Brain Development 17:19 Prevalence, Impact, and Categories of ACEs 24:09 How ACEs Affect Child Safety and Needs 33:33 Consequences for Family Dynamics & Emotional Development 40:09 ACEs, Caregivers & Household Chaos 46:00 Long-Term Physical and Cognitive Health Effects 52:01 Key Brain Changes and Mental Disorders 58:01 Assessment & Wraparound Interventions 01:01:22 Principles of Treatment and Empowerment 01:02:00 Summary: ACEs, Impact, and Recovery Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  7. Aug 7

    Unique Issues in Diagnosis and Treatment of Addiction in Older Adults

    00:00 Introduction & Overview 00:42 Aging and Drug Responses 02:02 Body Composition and Medication Effects 06:01 Kidney & Liver Clearance in Aging 07:45 Drug Competition & Enzyme Decline 09:49 Nutrient Deficiencies & Drug Absorption 12:12 Medication Interactions in Older Adults 13:11 Health Disorders Impacting Drug Clearance 15:41 Frailty, Cognitive Impairment & Medication Challenges 18:14 Vision, Brain Changes & Medication Safety 21:02 Inflammation, Diet & White Matter 25:00 Addictive Behaviors & Aging Vulnerability 28:09 White Matter Loss & Chronic Stress 30:46 Gambling, Impulsivity, and Clinical Notes 33:11 Is It Addiction or Aging? Diagnostic Challenges 36:08 DSM-5 Limitations and Underrecognized Issues 40:06 Differential Diagnosis & Overlapping Symptoms 43:00 Testing, False Results & Medication Effects 47:24 Substance Use and Aging: Family Awareness & Risks 52:13 Clinical Practice Guidelines & Polypharmacy 53:20 Treatment Challenges in Older Adults 54:37 Key Takeaways & Counselor Role Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  8. Jul 31

    The Importance of Gut Health for Mental Health | A Counselor's Guide

    00:00 Introduction & Importance of Gut Microbiome 00:40 Gut Microbiome and Stress Connection 02:02 How Stress Affects the Gut 03:34 Neurochemicals and Recovery from Stress 04:30 Fight or Flight vs. Rest and Digest 05:06 Chronic Stress and Vicious Cycles in the Gut 06:14 How the Microbiome Produces Key Neurotransmitters 08:08 Microbiome, Hormones, and Circadian Rhythms 09:05 Thyroid, Disbiosis & Symptom Overview 10:14 Microbiome Disruption Symptoms and Circadian Issues 11:19 Sleep, Hormones, and Microbiome Testing 12:03 Disbiosis in Clinical and Nonclinical Populations 13:04 Inflammation and Leaky Gut 14:04 Diet, Fiber, and Supporting Gut Health 15:24 Inflammation, Immunity, and Gut Diversity 16:20 Fatigue, Brain Fog, and Gut Imbalances 18:09 Pain and How the Microbiome Influences It 19:13 Supporting Microbiome Health Through Collaboration 19:49 Impulsivity, Neurodegeneration & Leaky Gut 21:42 Neuroinflammation, Brain Health, and Proteins 22:57 Emotional & Cognitive Impacts of Disbiosis 23:57 Gut Bacteria, Mood, and Value Assignment 25:02 Developmental Impacts & Antibiotics 28:01 Cognitive Symptoms & Processing Bias in Disbiosis 29:13 Attention, Concentration & Cognitive Slowing 32:01 Environmental Sensitivity & GABA 34:34 Helping Clients: Recognizing and Addressing Causes 36:12 Sleep, Circadian Rhythms & Medication Effects 39:11 Downregulation & Chronic Pain 42:48 Diet, Prebiotics, and Probiotics Education 44:59 Insulin Resistance, Stress, and Microbiome 47:04 Social Stressors, Intergenerational Trauma & Gut Health 49:56 The Additive Effects of Emotional Stress 51:05 Supporting Empowerment and Well-being 53:02 Addressing Trauma, Core Beliefs & Executive Function 55:04 Scaffolding, Environmental, and Sensory Causes 57:01 Spiritual, Lifestyle, and Nature Connections 58:08 Physical Activity, Green Space, and Microbiome 59:28 Conclusion: Gut Microbiome as Essential Target for Treatment Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Counselors, coaches and sober companions help hundreds of thousands of people affected by Addictions and Mental Health issues each year. Learn about the current research and practical counseling tools to improve your skills and provide the best possible services. Counselor Toolbox targets counselors, coaches and companions, but can also provide useful counseling self-help tools for persons struggling with these issues and their loved ones. AllCEUs is an approved counseling continuing education provider for addiction and mental health counselors in most states. Counseling CEUs are available for each episode.

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