Full Focus Counseling
Scott Thode, LPC
Archives
What does it mean to care? Is it a feeling? On some level, sure. But that’s just a starting point. A thought? It probably involves thinking too, but we shouldn’t stop there. Action? Yes, absolutely. Action may be the most central ingredient. But there is more to it, especially with the highest forms of caring. Dedication and time? Yes and yes. A kind of formula is beginning to emerge. And as we… Read More
Confidence is a confusing word, so I should first be clear about what I mean. It seems to me that most people use the term confidence to refer to some kind of elevated feeling state. Whether it’s a little extra spark or something more grandiose, the popular use of confidence implies that we need a heightened mood in order to perform well, succeed in life, or even to just be ourselves. From… Read More
When we’re little, we start learning about our body parts. We even sing songs about them—”Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes,” “The Hokey Pokey,” and others. Very early in life, we physically locate ourselves in the world by naming what’s part of us, and our social environment reinforces this curiosity. But what about the parts of the mind? We might get vague hints that the mind has something like parts. Many of… Read More
Problems can feel like a dark landscape, and the way we think about them is like a flashlight. Shift the beam even slightly, and what once felt overwhelming becomes navigable. As a therapist, I think a lot about how people approach problems. I’m always keeping in mind whether a change in perspective can modulate the stress response— which, in turn, opens the door to relatively calmer, clearer, and more adaptive thinking. When… Read More
I wrote a poem about an ocean wave. It’s a true story. I was in the ocean once Floating on my back Minding my business The waters were quite calm I was at peace Unexpectedly A wave caught me Rolled me over Slammed me against the ocean floor My body thrashed uncontrollably Salt water torpedoed through my nose There was nothing I could do Then the wave let up And it was… Read More
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