Addiction & Substance Use

When AI Becomes the First Call: A Practical Guide to Teen AI Use for Therapists

Have you ever had a teenage client describe a really hard week and then mention, almost in passing, that they had already talked it through at two in the morning with something that isn't a person? They usually say it lightly. I just asked ChatGPT. And then they move on, because to them it isn't the interesting part of the story. It might be the most interesting part of the story. Three in four teenagers have now used an AI companion. Nearly two-thirds use one regularly. One in three has gone to 9 min read

Motivational Interviewing in Tough Sessions: 7 Strategies That Work

You know the theory. You’ve had the training. And you’ve seen Motivational Interviewing work beautifully in session after session. But then there's that one client who keeps circling the same issue, week after week. No forward motion. No shift in motivation. Just a loop of "maybe," "not yet," or "I don't know." That loop? It can leave you feeling stuck, too. When that happens, it doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong. It just means something’s getting in the way, and it might be time to shift 8 min read

Mastering Motivational Interviewing: A Therapist’s Guide to Effective Change

Have you ever found yourself at a crossroads with a client, feeling stuck in the cycle of ambivalence? You're not alone. Motivational Interviewing (MI) has become an invaluable tool for therapists like us, navigating the complexities of client motivation and behavior change. Whether you're new to MI or have been using it for years, sometimes we all need a little reminder or a fresh perspective on how to integrate it more effectively into our practice. In this blog, we're going to dive deep into 13 min read