Michelle Van Aken, LMHC

07/27/2025

Emiliana R. Simon-Thomas, Ph.D., is the science director of the UC Berkeley Greater Good Science Center. In this talk for the 2012 Mindfulness and Compassion...

05/05/2025

01/18/2025

Recently, Meta (which owns Facebook and Instagram) introduced significant changes to its content moderation policies to allow users to suggest that identifying as LGBTQ+ is a mental illness. This decision poses a potential threat to the well-being of LGBTQ+ teens, who are already vulnerable to discrimination and harassment. And it starkly contrasts with decades of medical and scientific consensus — namely, that being part of the LGBTQ+ community is not a mental disorder.

At the Child Mind Institute, we are committed to supporting children’s mental health and well-being, including that of LGBTQ+ youth. We also recognize how profoundly social media can shape young people’s sense of identity and self-esteem. Here are some of the possible implications of Meta’s new policy as well as guidance for parents who want to ensure a safe and supportive environment for their teens: https://childmind.org/blog/metas-new-policy

12/31/2024

💡 The Truth About Therapy: Not All “Therapy” Is Created Equal 💡

In a time when mental health is finally in the spotlight, there’s an important truth to share: not everyone offering “therapy” is qualified to do so.

True therapy isn’t just about good intentions—it’s about:
✔️ 3,000–4,000 hours of supervised training
✔️ A master’s degree in counseling, social work, or a related field
✔️ Continuous professional development to stay up-to-date

Licensed clinicians dedicate years to ensure they provide safe, ethical, and effective care. But the rise of unqualified providers branding themselves as therapists is creating real risks.

Before starting therapy, ask:
❓ Are you licensed in my state?
❓ What’s your educational background?
❓ How many hours of supervised training have you completed?

Your mental health is too important to trust to someone who isn’t fully qualified. Let’s raise awareness and help others find the care they deserve.

Have you ever been surprised to learn about the credentials (or lack thereof) of someone offering therapy?

12/10/2024

Understand the context.

11/10/2024

For those moving through grief this post-election cycle, we wanted to share this process with you.

The phases of grief can look very differently for different people. But, they can often follow these phases. You may even find yourself cycling through these phases within the same day. Over time, they tend to lessen in intensity, frequency and duration.

Please reach out for a safe space to connect and process if you are struggling with grief. We are here to support you so that you don't feel stuck along the way.

www.camelcitycounseling.com

09/30/2024

Book mark it / face tattoo it
📌 comment RESPOND I’ll send you my free respond don’t react worksheet

⚡️Comment COPE for a link to my 52 card coping skills deck with nervous system regulating skills to help you interrupt your reactions 💜

08/25/2024

I hope the conversations around estrangement can change where they are expanded in ways to:

-Better respect those who have gone through years of complicated efforts to keep people in their lives and were shown no respect in return.

-Not ask questions when someone makes it clear it is a topic, they are uncomfortable speaking of.

-Not assume all people have the same view of family.

-Not assume you know what needs to happen to bring them back together.

-Not assume they want to be back together, or that being reunited is healthy for anyone involved.

This topic is complex, but the constant shame and projection that people who are estranged receive is unnecessary. Here are some ways to show respect when you are in the presence of someone who is estranged:

-That must have been a hard decision to come to.

-While I can’t relate, I can only imagine that has been painful.

-If there is a way for me to support you in that, please let me know.

Lastly, keep in mind that when people project it comes from a place of uncertainty. This is not about your family experience; it is about theirs. Let them have that…exhale, exhale, exhale…

Ok, are we good? Good! Now go have a great weekend and KNOW you are not alone in what you are trying to overcome!

Free ebooks @ linktr.ee/natepost :
-A survivors guide to trauma recovery
-Inner child journaling guide

I’m so glad you’re here! 💞💞✨✨

08/22/2024

Mindfully walking this morning and noticed these two cuties, frozen and gazing at each other. They don’t know I’m not a predator. Their nervous systems did exactly what happens when fear causes freeze. Eventually, they unfroze and bounced under the bushes. They will continue to physically process their bodies traumatic response by shaking and moving, then possibly eating and sleep. Trauma is processed in the body.