Matt Otto

The Gun Control Debate is Missing the Point

Matt — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 12:46:47 +0000

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 …

Violent Video Games: some brief thoughts from a father and counselor

Matt — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 17:25:00 +0000

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 …

Learning to Listen: Beginning to find answers

Matt — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 22:07:17 +0000

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 …

Working with Troubled Teens

Matt — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 18:44:27 +0000

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 …

Blended Families: Growing together

Matt — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 03:12:53 +0000

A good pastor friend of mine (who also got me started blogging, and whose sermons can be found here) mentioned to me that I need to stop apologizing at the beginning of my posts about how long it has been since I last posted. So I’m taking his advice, and I’m not going to apologize …

Dealing with stress: It’s ok to not be ok

Matt — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:41:57 +0000

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 …

Giving less

Matt — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 15:42:56 +0000

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 …

Merry Christmas to all…

Matt — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 14:37:40 +0000

…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, …

The return of the blog

Matt — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 05:04:01 +0000

Two and a half years after it closed I am officially re-opening “one mo blog” for business. Posts from the old blog have been migrated to my new website, and as I alluded to in my last post, it’s time to start writing again. Look for some new meaningful content starting before the end of …

State Licensed!

Matt — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 04:01:03 +0000

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 …