The tragedy in Newtown is a little over three months old, and talk in the wake of that tragedy has largely devolved into the need for more or less guns. The need for better mental health services got some good lip service, but most of the “solutions” I’ve seen passed and proposed offer little more …
Category Archive: Life
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Jan 24
Violent Video Games: some brief thoughts from a father and counselor
The topic of violent video games is one that has become a hot issue since the Newton tragedy. As a counselor, father and gamer I find the whole thing interesting and also a little perplexing. Shortly after Newtown I wrote this post on ign, a gaming website, and given the recent government and media attention …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.matt-otto.com/violent-video-games/
Dec 18
Learning to Listen: Beginning to find answers
Like the rest of the country, I feel like I’ve been in a state of moderate shock since the events at Sandy Hoook Elementary. Like many of you the tragedy of 20 dead children, about the same ages as my little girls, has me asking so many questions: How did this happen? Were there any …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.matt-otto.com/learning-to-listen/
Jun 20
Working with Troubled Teens
In the wake of the suicide of a Glenelg teen last month I have had the opportunity to talk to a couple local youth workers about how to take care of troubled teens and at risk youth. It reminded me of why I got into counseling in the first place. When I was in youth …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.matt-otto.com/working-with-troubled-teens/
Feb 14
Dealing with stress: It’s ok to not be ok
I can’t believe it’s been over a month since my last post, and my promise to start blogging more regularly. Truth is, this has probably been the hardest month of my professional counseling career. I’ve been busy, very busy. This is a tough time of year in general for a lot of people. The doldrums …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.matt-otto.com/dealing-with-stress-its-ok-to-not-be-ok/
Dec 28
Giving less
And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.matt-otto.com/giving_less/
Dec 24
Merry Christmas to all…
…oh that it were so. For many of us, especially those of us who are kids at heart, or get to enjoy the company of children during this season, it is one of the most wonderful times of the year. I have been very much enjoying watching my kids reactions to christmas lights, Santa Claus, …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.matt-otto.com/merry-christmas-to-all/
Dec 19
State Licensed!
It’s (almost) official. I received word from the board of Professional Counselors and Therapists last week that I passed the final test needed to become a State Licensed Professional Counselor and should receive my license in the mail in the next two weeks! Now that classes, licensing, and career moves are (hopefully) done for a …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.matt-otto.com/state-licensed/
Jul 26
In Our Weakness
Sometimes it seems like no matter how hard you try there is no one around who understands. Or if they are life gets in the way. You can’t catch a break. Life keeps throwing curveballs. I wish I could tell you that it will all be alright. That a friend is waiting. Or if not that …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.matt-otto.com/251/
Jul 11
A New Adventure
As you may have heard, I am wrapping up my wonderful two years at Vital Sources. It was a wonderful place to practice, with great therapists, who are even better people. I will miss them a lot. It’s been a sad time saying goodbye, to people who mean so much to me, but I was …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.matt-otto.com/a-new-adventure/
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