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 I…

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 in…

In honor of SPOOKY SEASON we asked our listeners and community for their horror stories. We didn't want the PARANORMAL kind, we wanted the ones that left our peers and colleagues in shock and terror for different reasons. As you will see, in this episode, the horror ranges from kinda scary to outright terrifying. Elisa Dobler, LCSW-S and myself, Cr…

Elisa Dobler, LCSW-S and Cristal Acosta, LPC-S are back on the pod together to constructively critique a post from Psych Today's Instagram. In this episode we review each piece of advice given by Psych Today (thank you @psych_today) in their post about ACES on Instagram. We are trauma therapists and found the post interesting! To hear more about tr…

"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 ca…

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 htt…

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 …

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…

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 he…

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: th…

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!By Cristal Martinez Acosta, LPC, NCC

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 http…

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…

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 co…

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, writi…

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—> …

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. Cri…

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 h…

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 Servi…

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…

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.co…

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 …

Cristal answers listener questions she curated from her IG, FB, and Gmail. Listen to a therapist’s thoughts on sitting all day, listening to people’s problems, how to shop around for your own therapist, and more! *This podcast is not therapy* If you have any questions, reach out on @throughtheeyesofatherapistpod • Instagram photos and videos…

How do you respond in highly stressful situations? Are you a fighter? How about a runner? A freezer? Is the person you’re dealing with such a threat that you need to keep them happy or stay in their good graces with the “fawning” response? In this episode I talk about the four main survival responses and how they show up in life-or-death situations…

In this episode, Dr. Kate Walker, counselor educator, and myself discuss what it’s like to mess up! It’s ok because everyone makes mistakes and nobody is perfect! Especially therapists! We are absolutely not perfect and have our own baggage; BUT we are held to a high standard of care (laws and ethics) that requires us to bravely confront these mist…

Did you know there are several types of boundaries? Sexual, physical, emotional, financial, and more! In this episode psychiatrist Dr. Gaiathry Jeyarajan, author of children’s book “Ella’s Choice” talks about how to teach babies and kids about consent and boundaries. Teaching our littles about how to say “no” and how to give “permission” starts at …

The interesting thing about being one of the 10% Latinx therapists in the U.S. is all of the UNLEARNING we had to do. Luis Cornejo, LMFT and I talk about our “Lessons Learned” as therapists. (5.5% of therapists are fully bilingual BTW according to the APA.) Here’s some data about the gap that exists for mental health care for Spanish speaking Ameri…

What is a highly sensitive therapist? Well, firstly what is a highly sensitive person? Are we empaths? Introverts? Do we have special powers? In this interview with April Snow, LMFT, we have a candid and informative convo about what it’s like inside of a HST (Highly Sensitive Therapist’s) brain. Yep, it’s different in here. Mentioned in the episode…

Can you tell the difference if a therapist is truly providing trauma-informed services or if they are merely providing trauma-focused care? In this episode, I explain the difference between the two concepts. I also provide a list of questions to ask providers to ensure they are actually “trauma-informed”. Mentioned in the episode: https://ncsacw.sa…

In this episode my guest, Marilyn Corbin-Burdick, Licensed Professional Counselor, and I discuss how horror films and stories are much like the therapeutic process. We talk about folklore--stories passed down from previous generations, and why they are important to consider when thinking about dealing with our own traumas and mental illness. We als…

In this episode, Cristal Acosta, Licensed Professional Counselor, speaks with some of her colleagues who also happen to be a part of the new-mom club. In the first segment, Bianca Balderrama, LPC, talks about her experience giving birth in the middle of the pandemic, perinatal and post-partum anxiety/depression, as well as the grief and loss she an…

Today, Cristal Acosta, LPC-S, NCC, speaks with Elisa D, LCSW about what the hell even happened to all of us in 2020 and 2021. The series of unfortunate events that occurred over the last two years has taken a toll on not only our clients, but on therapists everywhere! We discuss what two therapists could have possibly been up to for the last year a…

In this episode I am an open book about my personal journey into why I decided to go into private practice after 10 years of working for other agencies. Even though I had a steady income, I knew I had to follow my dreams! (Here’s my referral code for SimplePractice. You’ll get a free 30 day trial and a $50 subscription credit after you sign up for …

Through the Eyes of a Therapist Podcast was founded January 2018 by a Chicana counselor named Cristal Martinez Acosta. One day, she noticed her perception of commonplace events, people, and things was different from that of her non-therapist friends. This was when she decided to start recording her thoughts….and voila! The podcast was born! By givi…

The personal is political and the political is personal. Mental health is both personal and political! It's about viewing the person as a whole within a larger system. My guest today really, really gets this. Lawyer and mayoral candidate, Veronica Carbajal, is a guest on today's episode to talk about her views on politics and mental health. If you …

Hello, everyone! Today we discuss what it's like to be a therapist in the times of the Coronavirus epidemic. Myself and two other therapists located in El Paso, Texas talk about: what it's like to run a small business/private practice during a pandemic, how to prepare yourself as a therapist to see clients via tele-health during these unprecedented…

Hello again, everyone! Jen Reeves, LMFT-S, CST is back on the podcast giving us her expert opinion on the Netflix show "Sex Education". We discuss the characters from the show and talk about boundaries, teen development, and sex therapy in pop culture. SPOILERS AHEAD! Takeaways from the episode: Sex education should start at an early age Portrayals…

Hello again and welcome back to season three of Through the Eyes of a Therapist podcast! If you are a millennial, or if you were paying attention to life in the early 2000s, you may remember the iconic pop princess, Britney Spears! She has had an eventful life in the public eye…and what better way to dissect her resilience than with my returning gu…

In this episode, two licensed professional counselors discuss the popular and controversial show "13 Reasons Why". Andrea Rios, LPC and Cristal Acosta, LPC-S, NCC dissect and dialogue about the implications the show can have on their clients. After a lunchroom discussion, the two therapists decided to record their opinions and perspectives for the …

Welcome back to Through the Eyes of a Therapist Podcast! This season is all about pop-culture and the unique view of shows, books, and movies through a therapist's point of view! In this episode we have returning guest/co-host, Elisa D. She is an LMSW who specializes in childhood trauma and works with victims of crime. This lens allows her to talk …

If you want to be a psychologist but are considering a non-clinical route, this is a great episode to listen to. Social Psychology, just like clinical or counseling psychology, is only one of the many niches in the psychology world. This area of psych explores why people do what they do, why we think what we think--biases, perception, preferences, …

In this episode, I talk with my friend and colleague, Elisa. We discuss introverts, extroverts, ambiverts and some labels that [we] introverts do not like. We talk about pets, counselor life, and my extroverted partner. Are you an introvert? Listen for our GAME/QUIZ that gives characteristics of a true introvert (it'll make you say *same*) Stay tun…

Hello, Through the Eyes of a Therapist Podcast listeners! If you’ve gotten this far in my latest series on becoming a therapist, you’ve heard about Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, Clinical Social Workers, and School Counselors. You know by now that to become a therapist, you need to get a master’s degree and to become fully licensed, you m…

Equine therapy is a treatment modality that can be used for a wide array of client populations and issues in counseling. Equines are horses, and if I didn't do an episode about equines, I wouldn't be able to call myself a true Texan! I am so excited to release this interview because I learned so much about the healing power of horses in counseling/…

Contemplative therapy has foundations in clinical psychology and Buddhist psychology. This approach may be helpful if you: have a busy life, have a life...if you live, breathe....lol. It can be beneficial for ANYONE. In this episode, my guest and I discuss the difference between conventional therapy and contemplative therapy. We also talk about anx…

Through the Eyes of a Therapist Podcast has reached 10 thousand plus downloads! Thank you to all listeners! ----more---- Career counseling can be very helpful for people who are just starting out in college or at a university or those who are changing careers. Career counselors need to be aware of upcoming career/job market trends, career/job requi…

If you want to be a school psychologist or have ever wondered what a school psychologist does, then this episode is for you! School psychologists are collaborators, advocates, leaders, and team players! They are in charge of assessing school aged children and identifying their needs for success in school. They work with other clinicians like Occupa…

"Play is the language of children and toys are their words."-A Play Therapy Philosophy. Working with children in therapy requires special skills. Sometimes the best approaches with children are left to the experts who we call Registered Play Therapists. This special certification/registration takes at least 300 extra supervised hours to attain post…

In this episode, we talk about how clinical supervisors are needed beyond graduate internships and licensure requirements! Supervising at an agency can help clinicians be more well rounded and prepared for many client issues. Supervision is also discussed in the previous episode with Dr. Kate Walker (CLICK HERE TO LISTEN). Tim Mendoza graduated wit…

Social work is a diverse and large field where individuals can grow professionally in many different directions. Clinical Social Work is one area of specialty where social workers can conduct therapy services. Licensed Clinical Social workers are trained in a variety of therapeutic modalities that allows them the title of "therapist". LCSWs, LMFTs,…