Matt explains why getting mental health care can feel impossibly difficult, even when motivation is high, and why those barriers are systemic, not personal. He breaks down the most common obstacles and offers realistic strategies to keep moving forward. The goal is to replace self-blame with clarity and momentum.  Read More…

Tags: access, mental health care, therapy, insurance, medicare, counseling

In this post, Matt explores how trauma is understood differently in EMS and counseling, why the term has become overextended, and what trauma-informed care actually looks like in practice. By balancing body-based insight with meaning and agency, trauma counseling can remain precise, humane, and effective.  Read More…

Tags: trauma, trauma-informed care, counseling, the body keeps the score, first responder wellness

Matt explores the emotional and psychological reasons behind substance use, reframing numbness as a protective response rather than a failure. By understanding what substances are helping manage, individuals can begin developing healthier ways to cope and reconnect with themselves.  Read More…

Tags: numbing emotions, substance use disorder, addiction, coping strategies

Today's reflection is about Matt's transition from EMS to mental health counseling, showing how both fields can share similar missions of helping people in crisis. He outlines lessons each can borrow from the other and shares his vision of building a bridge between first response and long-term healing.   Read More…

Tags: EMS, counseling, mental health care, resilience, first responder wellness

Matt's blog highlights ethical pitfalls in mental health counseling, from confidentiality breaches to organizational climate. Drawing on ACA guidelines, models from Cottone and Tarvydas, and even the Aggie Code of Honor, Matt underscores how values, virtues, and cultural accordance shape ethical decision-making across both client care and professional workplaces.   Read More…

Tags: ethics, ethical decision-making, confidentiality, dual relationships, cultural competence, counseling ethics, aca code, accordance, values, workplace, aggie code of honor

Money steers mental health care more than most clients realize. Here Matt explains how insurance incentives shape clinical decisions and shows how time-limited, skills-based therapy plans can deliver effective care without open-ended treatment. Tactical Counseling clarifies its private-pay model and new superbill option while emphasizing planned, collaborative endings.   Read More…

Tags: insurance, superbills, privatepay, therapy tools, sfbt, dbt, counseling, outcomes, policy

Today, Matt reflects on recent tragedies, political hate speech, and polarization. Drawing from research, Tactical Counseling calls for compassion, dialogue, and unity.   Read More…

Tags: polarization, unity, resilience

Today, Matt explores the growing need of counselors in disaster response and emergency management. From trauma-informed care after Columbine and 9/11 to integration in FEMA’s ICS, NIMS, and NRF frameworks. Matt discusses how counselors not only support survivors and first responders but also can play a critical role in planning, communication, and recovery, helping to stabilize communities when disaster strikes.  Read More…