University Park Counseling & Testing Center, PLLC

04/12/2026

Trauma-Informed Insight Series:
The Difference Between Discipline and Punishment

Discipline and punishment are not the same—and the difference matters.

Punishment focuses on control.
Discipline focuses on growth.

Punishment asks: “What rule was broken?”
Discipline asks: “What skill is missing?”

One creates short-term compliance.
The other builds long-term change.

If we want better behavior, we can’t just react—we have to teach.

Because behavior is communication… and every response is a lesson.

04/02/2026

April is Autism Acceptance Month

This month is about more than awareness. It is about truly seeing, understanding, and valuing neurodiversity. Autism is a different way of experiencing the world, not something that needs to be “fixed.” Every individual brings unique strengths, perspectives, and ways of connecting, and those differences deserve to be supported and celebrated.

At University Park Counseling & Testing Center, PLLC, we are committed to
• Providing neurodiversity-affirming care
• Supporting all individuals with compassion and understanding
• Building on strengths while supporting areas of need
• Creating a space where clients feel safe to be themselves

Acceptance looks like listening, learning, and meeting people where they are.

This month (and every month) we stand for acceptance, inclusion, and support.

03/31/2026

Calling all mental health professionals who have ever left a session wondering, “Is this client really making progress?” You are not alone. Join Stephanie Patak in this informative training, helping you identify progress and navigate those stuck moments with clarity. Registration link is in the comments.

03/27/2026

We’ve got a great training coming up on April 18! Registration link: www.universityparkcounseling.com/training

03/23/2026

Had a great training today from Dr. Balch! Thank you, Monette, from Fusion Academy for providing coffee and pastries!

03/11/2026

Our team is expanding and we are so excited to welcome Jacky and Julie to UPC!

03/03/2026

Our newest blog explores toxic empathy — when absorbing others’ pain begins to impact our own well-being — and offers gentle, practical ways to set healthy boundaries while staying loving and supportive.

You don’t have to lose yourself to love well.

Learn the signs of toxic empathy, how it affects mental health, and practical ways to set boundaries while supporting loved ones.

03/02/2026

Calling all mental health professionals who work with children and adolescents! Want to feel more confident in your work with parents? Join Dr. Balch for this informative training! Link is in the comments.

02/26/2026

We are excited to share that Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is now available as part of our comprehensive wellness program!

If you are experiencing fatigue, mood changes, brain fog, weight changes, or sleep disruption, hormonal support may help. Contact us to explore a care plan tailored to your unique needs.

Feel balanced. Feel energized. Feel like you again.

02/25/2026

We are excited to announce a new lineup of continuing education trainings for mental health professionals! From ethics and trauma-informed care to working with court-involved families and play therapy topics, our workshops are designed to be practical, relevant, and immediately applicable to your clinical work.

Whether you are looking to deepen your skills, strengthen your confidence, or connect with other professionals, we would love to learn and grow alongside you this year. Visit our website for registration details. We hope to see you there!

02/12/2026

Connection matters and has a strong impact on our mental health. Check out our newest blog for simple, practical ways to nurture the relationships in your life.

Connection doesn’t require perfect relationships. It requires presence, consistency, and emotional safety.

02/06/2026

As International Play Therapy Week comes to a close, we are excited to highlight the incredible play therapists at UPC! We are so grateful for these compassionate therapists who have an expertise in child development and a passion for showing up and supporting children.
Play is a child’s natural language. Play therapists are specially trained to help children express thoughts, feelings, and experiences through play. Our therapists create a safe a supportive space where children can work through big emotions, build coping skills, and grow in confidence.
To learn more about our play therapists, visit www.universityparkcounseling.com