Online Counseling is a Hit

Online Counseling is a Hit

People are benefiting from teletherapy more than ever As we approach the five-year mark of exclusively using teletherapy or online counseling for all sessions, it has become clear how beneficial this shift has been for both my clients and myself. The flexibility and enhanced privacy that teletherapy offers have been particularly appealing to clients. Many have expressed their appreciation for not having to make the trip to my office, which saves them time and simplifies their schedules. This is especially valuable for those with demanding work or family commitments. For clients who live farther away, the convenience of teletherapy is…
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Therapy Can Change Your Life

Therapy Can Change Your Life

We all have something in our life that we want to change. If someone says there is nothing to change, this should be a problem in and of itself. How do people create change in their lives? Altering thoughts, modifying behaviors, setting goals, and creating/maintaining relationships are all great catalysts. Therapy is a way to help facilitate these behaviors. My goal as a therapist is to help hold you accountable on the changes you wish to make. I do this by asking about your goals and how you are coming along. I also help with creating ideas that will add…
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Thank you Warren Buffett

I recently wrote this thank you letter to Warren Buffett.  His great role modeling is what compelled me to write my first letter to a celebrity. He has some great talks on youtube. Buck Black LCSW, LCAC 100 Saw Mill Road, Suite 3102 Lafayette, Indiana 47905 www.BuckBlack.com 765-807-6778 Mr. Warren Buffett 3555 Farnam Street Suite 1440 Omaha, NE 68131 Dear Mr. Buffett, Thank you for being a teacher and an amazing role model for our society.  I am a licensed therapist and Certified Financial Social Worker who helps couples with money problems, as well as anger, stress, and various relationship…
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A Certified Financial Social Work Counselor’s (CFSW) Thoughts on Money

A Certified Financial Social Work Counselor’s (CFSW) Thoughts on Money

Defining "Living Within Your Means" At its core, living within your means simply means spending less than you earn. But it doesn’t stop there—it also involves setting aside money for the future. This includes building a solid retirement fund and maintaining at least a six-month emergency savings account. By doing so, you create a financial cushion that allows you to handle unexpected expenses without falling into debt or financial distress. Living Within vs. Living Below Your Means While living within your means is about maintaining a balanced financial life, living below your means takes it a step further. This means…
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Work and Leisure?

Work and Leisure?

Balancing Work and Leisure for a Better Life In today’s hyper-connected world, the boundaries between work and leisure have blurred, giving rise to a phenomenon called "weisure." Weisure refers to the blend of work and leisure, where work infiltrates personal time due to constant connectivity. With smartphones, emails, and work-related messages always at our fingertips, it’s easy to find ourselves working even when we’re supposed to be relaxing. But is this a bad thing? For some, work has become a source of joy and fulfillment. They find satisfaction in mixing work and leisure, leading to increased productivity and happiness. Others,…
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Clinical Psychotherapy

Clinical Psychotherapy

I often hear people say that they do not want to have a clinical experience with therapy. Many individuals assume that therapy involves sitting in a sterile office with a cold, detached therapist who only responds with, “How does that make you feel?” Others imagine therapy as a passive procedure—like dropping off a car at a mechanic, expecting to be “fixed” without active participation. This perception couldn’t be further from the truth. Therapy is not a mechanical process where a therapist makes all the changes for you. It is not about diagnosing problems and prescribing solutions in a vacuum. Instead,…
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The Wealthy Could Even Benefit from Financial Counseling

The Wealthy Could Even Benefit from Financial Counseling

My wife and I recently went to the Biltmore Estate.  In case you are not familiar, it is the largest privately owned house in the United States at over 175,000 square feet. I found it amazing that the Vanderbilts, who are an incredibly wealthy family who built the estate, were unable to afford to maintain their estate during the Depression.  In order to raise funds, they opened their house for tours.  In 1956, the family relocated and turned the house into a museum that charged for admission, presumably because the maintenance cost was too high. As I learned more about…
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What to Expect from Counseling

What to Expect from Counseling

Many people are afraid to come to a counseling session because they find it too intimidating. I can't blame them. Heck, I find it difficult to go to the doctor when I am feeling sick and can't go to work. So, it is a new experience and often provokes some natural anxiety. Your first session is the hardest and it gets easier from there! Here are some of the questions I've been asked: * Am I any less of a man for coming to counseling? No. If counseling weren't manly, I wouldn't be doing it! I'll tell you that its…
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I Can’t…

I Can’t…

The Power of "Can Do" We've all been there. Someone asks us to take on a new challenge, and instead of considering the possibilities, we immediately start listing the reasons why it won't work. "I don't have the time," "I don't have the resources," "I'm not skilled enough" – these become our default responses, our go-to excuses for inaction. But what if we shifted our focus? What if, instead of dwelling on limitations, we started talking about what we can do? One of the things that truly perplexes me is the tendency to spend so much time and energy explaining…
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Am I Normal?

Am I Normal?

Given that people come to see me because there is something not quite right in their life (or so they think), I see a lot of people asking if they are “normal.” This is such an interesting question. Actually, I do not claim to know the definition of “normal” and I don’t think anyone does. Most of us want to fit in. However, we all do things that are considered to be “abnormal.” So, I suppose that none of us are considered “normal,” for that matter. I certainly don’t consider myself “normal!” Since everyone has his or her quirks, this…
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