Blog – Carrie Bock – By The Well Counseling

My Personal Experience with Antidepressants

Written by Carrie Bock on February 3, 2021. Posted in Blog.

I was staring at my computer screen, watching the cursor flash, almost as if it were coaxing me to finish my progress note. Running on a constant lack of sleep, my mind was fuzzy, and I couldn’t string words together in a way that made sense. What was I trying to write about this client’s session yesterday? My supervisor would be sending me an email soon about how my notes the prior day had not been completed. What would I tell her as to why? I must have stared at that computer screen for 30 minutes, getting nothing done, before I decided it was time to call my doctor.

What About this Command to Not Be Anxious Part 1

Written by Carrie Bock on January 20, 2021. Posted in Anxiety, Blog.

Last week, I posted a blog Is Anxiety a Sin? Today, I want to talk a little bit about how we address what appears on the surface to be a command from scripture about not being anxious. Phil 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Phil 4:6).

Christian, Feelings Aren’t a Battle to be Fought

Written by Carrie Bock on January 6, 2021. Posted in Blog.

When I was a child, I remember feeling things very deeply, but not knowing how to express or manage those feelings. Experiencing emotion was like being knocked down by a tall wave. I was introspective, picked up on the subtleties of others’ emotions, and took everything personally. Even into college, one negative comment by someone could affect my entire day. I now have a greater understanding of my emotions, what it means to be highly sensitive, and how to handle things in a healthier way. However, for many years, having strong emotions felt like a curse. Feelings were uncomfortable, painful, and needed to be avoided at all costs.

6 Factors to Consider Before Searching for a Counselor

Written by Carrie Bock on December 31, 2020. Posted in Anxiety, Blog, Counseling, OCD.

Note of clarification: In this article, I am using the terms counselor and therapist interchangeably to refer to a provider who is trained and licensed by the state to practice. I am not referring to someone who may engage in counseling or counseling techniques who has not been formally trained to practice professionally.

If you want to find a doctor, there are several ways you could approach this. You could ask a friend, check the insurance website, the doctor’s website, or read reviews. Finding a therapist comes with unique challenges. I have listed the important factors to consider when finding a therapist below. Understanding this information helps you know what information to cover in the initial phone call or email when reaching out to a therapist.

Bring Your Own Tissues: My Experience with Online (Telehealth) Counseling

Written by Carrie Bock on December 16, 2020. Posted in Blog, Counseling, Personal Testimony.

I wrote this about a year before COVID-19 hit. Telehealth (online) counseling was still in the shadows and people were skeptical of it. In 2020, telehealth is more the norm than in person sessions. I felt this was worth sharing as the words are still as true today as they were in 2019.

My therapist lives about three hours away, but I don’t get in a car to see him. I turn on my computer. I’ve been seeing him via telehealth, and it’s been one of the biggest blessings of this year.

What is it Like to See a Counselor for the First Time?

Written by Carrie Bock on December 2, 2020. Posted in Blog, Counseling.

I think this counselor is a little too close to her client. Respecting client’s personal space is important!

Coming to counseling for the first time can be a bit unnerving. You may feel discomfort at the thought of talking to someone new about things that are personal to you. That’s normal. Most clients who are coming to counseling for the first time will tell me they don’t know what to expect. So, if you’re nervous about coming to counseling for a first session and don’t have a clue what it will be like, you’re not alone. Allow me to attempt to debunk some mystery about the first session or as we refer to it in the counseling realm, the intake.

How to Receive Counseling for Free

Written by Carrie Bock on November 18, 2020. Posted in Blog, Counseling.

Did you know you probably have a benefit through work that would provide you with free counseling? Seriously. Who doesn’t like free? An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a benefit separate from health insurance that pays for 3-8 counseling sessions at no cost to the employee.