Justin Fisk, LPC Associate, AMA Reality Counseling

01/11/2026

"The more important to your soul's growth, the stronger the resistance will be." -Steven Pressfield

Restated: If it is important to your soul's growth, you will not want to take the action. Your mind will push against it in a thousand different ways.

"I don't have time. It's too cold outside to workout. Nobody wants to hear what I have to say. I've caused too much damage to repair. I've invested too much time and money in my career to change paths." The list goes on and on, forever.

Now let's reframe: Embrace resistance. Welcome it with open arms. Say "thank you". Internal resistance means you are headed in the right direction.

Justin Fisk, Licensed Professional Counselor Associate
Supervisor: Dr. Stephen Jennings, LPC-S

Send a message to learn more

11/18/2025

The New Reality: The Dangers of Adolescent THC & Synthetic Cannabinoid Use

Bottom Line: The data is emerging and the findings are alarming.

Recent data shows a clear and significant increase in adolescent exposure to both natural and synthetic THC products. Anyone involved in the school system can attest to the increasing availability of THC v**e pens. Their ease of use and concealment make them a difficult challenge for anyone focused on the well-being of our teenagers.

Make no mistake about it: These products are everywhere. They are in our classrooms, our bathrooms, on the bus to athletic events, and at social gatherings. And crucially, this is not the cannabis of the 1990’s.

The stakes are higher: Recent studies indicate that exposure to synthetic cannabinoids (like Spice or K2) may contribute to the development of psychosis in susceptible individuals. Furthermore, use is linked to a higher risk of developing anxiety, depressive, and conduct disorders. Adolescents using these synthetics are also more likely to engage in other risky behaviors. Parents need to understand that the game has fundamentally changed.

What can we do? 1) Stay Vigilant: Be on the lookout for recent, significant changes in your teenager’s behavior. 2) Communicate: Talk regularly with your teens about the dangers and ask the hard questions. 3) Seek Help: If you suspect a problem, immediately seek assistance from a mental health professional or primary care provider.

What we cannot afford to do: Nothing.

Justin Fisk, LPC-Associate
AMA Reality Counseling, PLLC

Supervisor: Dr. Stephen L. Jennings, LPC-S

11/04/2025

Alcohol Abuse...

Alcoholism (yes, I use that word) is baffling, frustrating, and heartbreaking to anyone that finds themselves in its path. Unlike many other medical conditions, alcoholism can be unique in its devastating reach, affecting nearly everyone it encounters: family, friends, even total strangers. Why is it that in the face of every awful thing certain to arrive after taking a drink, the alcoholic still chooses to do so? Many in counseling or the recovery would be triggered by that last statement and respond with, “Justin, you clearly don’t know anything about substance use disorders… it’s not a choice, it’s a disease”.

My response as a counselor and a recovered alcoholic: Whether you call it a disease or not is completely irrelevant to the solution.

Too much emphasis and valuable time is spent arguing whether alcoholism is a choice or an illness. So I’ll simplify: Alcoholism is a destructive behavior that needs to be changed. Period. Why get caught up in words?

At the end of the day, if we want to change behavior, we have to initiate some sort of movement or action. Even if that action seems insignificant, it’s a necessary bridge to the next action, and a series of small, sustained actions can build and lead to change.

Millions of people have recovered from alcoholism. It can be done. Thousands start their journey each day. Initiating action, no matter how small, is a choice.

Justin Fisk, LPC Associate
AMA Reality Counseling, PLLC

Supervisor: Dr. Stephen L. Jennings, LPC-S

Call now to connect with business.

10/23/2025

(Supervisor: Dr. Stephen L. Jennings, LPC-S)

Reality isn't quickly changed. But one responsible choice at a time, we can shift it. It's a slow, steady movement, like a time-lapse of the sun's position.

Ready to start shifting your reality? Let's take that first step together.

Accepting new clients in Texas. Affordable rates. Contact me for availability.

Justin Fisk, Licensed Professional Counselor Associate

Supervisor: Dr. Stephen L. Jennings, LPC-S

10/12/2025

Contempt = Poison

When discussing contempt in a relationship, world renowned couples therapist John Gottman states “It’s virtually impossible to solve a problem when your partner is getting the message you’re disgusted with him or her”.

In reality, contempt is not about wanting to solve a problem, it’s about conveying a sense of superiority over an individual. When this starts to happen in a relationship it can become automatic and reciprocal and we don’t even know that we are doing it! Pointed, sarcastic remarks disguised as humor are a great example of contempt, especially when followed with the disarming disclaimer of “I’m just messing with you…”.

“Honey, could you maybe just start the lawnmower today and see how it goes??… I’m just kidding… I know you’ve been busy.”

“Sweetheart, maybe you and your friends could limit it to 4 bottles of wine at lunch today? That would be stellar!… I’m just giving you a hard time… I know you’ve had a long week.”

Before you know it, the disarming disclaimer disappears and it starts to get heavy.

Each little jab adds up. It builds… pour the kerosene… light the match… BOOM.

Houston… we have a problem.

This is just one of the ways couples therapy can help. Identifying and avoiding contempt is a learned skill that gets better with practice! This alone can transform many relationships.

Justin Fisk, LPC Associate

Supervised by Katherine E. Thompson, LPC-S

10/03/2025

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS!
www.amareality.com

Justin Fisk, LPC Associate

Supervised by: Katherine E. Thompson, LPC-S

Experience practical, solution-focused therapy with Justin Fisk at AMA Reality Counseling in Amarillo, TX. In-person and virtual sessions available for individuals, couples, and families.

10/03/2025

Parents and Teenagers- Sometimes The Well Gets Poisoned

As a parent that has raised teenagers, I can identify with what may feel like a hopeless, downward spiral of frustration when it comes to communication. How is it that we can have positive control over all other things in our lives, yet feel so powerless with what is most important to us: the wellbeing of our teenager?

“What did we do wrong?”
“How do we right this ship?”
“I almost don’t want to say anything at all for fear that they will just do the opposite to spite me.”
“Why can’t they understand that we’re just trying to help them avoid the mistakes that we made?”

The reality is that it’s never just one thing, and rarely is anyone to blame. Sometimes the well of communication just gets poisoned. When this happens, a strange type of inertia can take hold which can be difficult to overcome.

This is where a counselor can help. It’s not about a diagnosis… It’s about building rapport and communication. It’s about breaking the cycle and finding the off-ramp. It’s about helping the teenager understand why their behavior is driving them further away from fulfilling their needs.

Justin Fisk, LPC- Associate

Supervised By: Katherine E. Thompson, LPC-S

09/29/2025

Maybe we are asking the wrong questions.

"Why can't I just be happy like him / her?"
"Why won't they just listen to me?"
"What the hell is wrong with my teenager?"
"Can anything just work? Anything?"
"Why do I have to drink to enjoy anything at all?"
"Why does it even matter? To be human is to suffer. That's the way it is."

Maybe we should start asking the right questions.

"What is truly important to me?"
"What need am I not fulfilling and why?"
"Are my current behaviors bringing me closer to fulfilling my true needs or driving me further away?"

Happiness can be achieved right where we are. It starts by identifying what our true needs are, and the thoughts/actions/behaviors that are driving us further away from fulfilling those needs.

Let's start asking the right questions.

Justin Fisk, LPC-Associate
Supervisor: Katherine E. Thompson, LPC-S