 By Christine Murray As I’m in the midst of launching Start Here Counseling and Consulting, PLLC, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about how I wanted to set up both the counseling and the consulting aspects of the practice. I'll save more thoughts on the consulting side of the practice for other posts, but in this post, I’m sharing why I’m so excited to be focusing exclusively on offering virtual counseling, at least for now. When I graduated with my Master's degree in 2002, and then my doctoral degree in 2004, never would I have imagined some of the advances that have happened in the counseling field between then and now. Over two decades later, we've seen how technology has had some detrimental effects on people's mental health, especially when they use social media in ways that contribute to anxiety and feeling less-than in comparison to the seemingly-perfect lives of others. At the same time, new technologies have emerged that have truly revolutionized the delivery of mental health services and helped to break down barriers to access to mental health services in a way that I could never have imagined would be possible back when I was in graduate school and first entering the counseling profession. I still really believe in the value of in-person counseling. In my own life, I have sought counseling at different points in time, and I've experienced both in-person counseling services as a client, as well as online counseling services. I know that many clients still prefer and, in some cases, require in-person counseling support. The value of in-person counseling will never go away, because there can be so much value in sitting in the same room with somebody who is right across from and sharing space with you. And, some clients just are not comfortable with seeking counseling virtually. And so while I am embracing online counseling as my service delivery approach for Start Here Counseling and Consulting, I will never completely abandon my belief in the value of in-person counseling and services. While I deeply value traditional in-person counseling, there are many potential benefits of online therapy for clients. Here are some compelling reasons why virtual mental health services can be a game-changer for many clients:
Overall, online therapy offers many potential benefits that can empower clients to prioritize their mental health on their terms. The value of in-person services will never go away, and the best cast scenario is that clients will continue to have a lot of options for seeking services in ways that are meaningful, accessible, and responsive to their unique needs. The flexibility, accessibility, and personalized experience of virtual counseling can make it a valuable and impactful option for individuals seeking support and growth. If you're considering virtual counseling services, you’ll find a few additional links below to learn more:
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 By Christine Murray As someone who has always been super passionate about bridging gaps between research and practice–particularly related to mental health, abuse recovery, and healthy relationships–I've been grateful to be part of developing online educational resources with this focus. This has been a focus of my career in higher education, and it’s something I plan to continue as I retire from academia and move fully into working in the Start Here Counseling & Consulting, PLLC, practice later this year. To help make it as easy as possible for people to navigate the resources connected with Start Here, below I’ll share a glimpse into the four main platforms: Start Here social media, The Source for Survivors, the See the Triumph Campaign, and the Healthy Relationships Initiative. For each one, I’ll offer some background on the initiative, what you can expect to find there, and how to get connected.
In addition to these four platforms, I've been involved in various programs and initiatives throughout my career, and I’ll spotlight some of those from time to time across different platforms. I welcome your feedback and suggestions for enhancing our offerings across any of these resources! Thank you for joining me on this journey, and I look forward to continuing to build and share impactful resources through Start Here Counseling & Consulting, PLLC and beyond.
 By Christine Murray
Hi everyone! I'm Christine Murray, and I'm excited to welcome you to the Start Here Blog, where I'll be sharing insights, reflections, and updates on my counseling and consulting practice. Today marks the beginning of an exciting new development as I launch the blog for the Start Here website. As I start out on this new chapter in my career, I want to take a moment to share why I've chosen to focus my counseling and consulting practice around the theme of "Start Here." When I first started envisioning my practice, I spent a lot of time reflecting to find a name and concept that truly captured my vision. Through many brainstorming sessions, the theme of "Start Here" emerged as the perfect representation of what I hope to build. The "Start Here" theme applies to both counseling and consulting work. One of the key reasons behind choosing this theme is its relevance to both the counseling and consulting aspects of my work. I am deeply passionate about both of these areas of work. My passion for clinical work is renewed in the midst of the pressing mental health needs in today’s world. I am eager to dive more fully into clinical work, focusing primarily on working with clients who are survivors of trauma and abuse in intimate relationships and other types of relationships and settings. At the same time, my love for community-based work, which I’ve been fortunate to be a part of through a lot of independent consulting projects and university-based work over the past many years, remains unwavering. I am grateful for the opportunities I've had to collaborate with many impactful community organizations, including government agencies, educational organizations, and nonprofits. Integrating my dual passions for both counseling and consulting work into my practice was very important to me. So, "Start Here" felt like a fitting and meaningful title because the idea of starting points is one that can resonate at both a personal and organizational level. I love being part of the start of new things! One thing I’ve learned about myself over the years, especially in work contexts, is that I love being part of the startup phase of new projects and initiatives, and this was another reason that the “Start Here” idea struck a chord with me. Throughout my career, I’ve enjoyed opportunities to be a part of some really exciting and important community-based initiatives right from the beginning, and I just love the startup-phase energy. I get excited about all the creative energy that comes up with the start of something new, as well as the new opportunities and connections that emerge when different stakeholders come together to start building a new project, program, or initiative. I love seeing how the early seeds of a planning process come together over time! The "Start Here" theme reflects the new season I'm in for my career. The "Start Here" theme also holds a lot of personal significance for me, as it symbolizes the beginning of a new season in my professional career. After nearly two decades in academia, during which I’ve served as a faculty member and a research center director, I am transitioning this year into a brand new chapter of my career. While I cherish the experiences and relationships built during my time in academia, I am excited about the possibilities that lie ahead as I head in this new direction. In truth, my own personal season of entering into a new start phase of my career also has been a good reminder of how new starts can be a mix of joy and excitement, but also some sadness, fear, nervousness, and uncertainty. I’m walking away from the parts of academic life that I loved, especially teaching and community-engaged work and research. I’d also be lying if I said I wasn’t at least a little fearful to be stepping away from the security of a tenured position into a new venture of entrepreneurship. "Start Here" is a reminder of the complexity of new beginnings. Because there’s usually some mixed feelings around the idea of starting a new change, the “Start Here” theme will also be an ongoing reminder to me of the complexities and uncertainties that my clients may be experiencing. Through my counseling and consulting work, I’m committed to supporting individuals and organizations navigate these transitions along the pathway toward positive changes and growth. If you go to the main homepage of this website, you’ll see that (at least for now), I’ve got a quote at the top of the page: Every day is an opportunity to start something new. I hope this quote will be a reminder to myself, as well as anyone who visits my site, that we all have opportunities to begin making the changes we would like to start moving toward. We can start right where we are and see where the journey takes us. And so today, I’m grateful to share this inaugural blog post with you, marking the start of this Start Here Counseling & Consulting practice. Your support means so much to me, and I look forward to the journey ahead. Thank you for being a part of this new phase of my career, and I hope you’ll stay connected for more updates and reflections on the Start Here blog! |
AuthorThis blog is written by Christine E. Murray, Ph.D., Founder of Start Here Counseling & Consulting, PLLC. Archives
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Unauthorized use and/or duplication of any material found at this web-site without express and written permission from this site’s owner is strictly prohibited. Unless or until a counselor/client relationship is established in writing, please note that the website for Start Here Counseling & Consulting, PLLC, is not a resource for providing personalized advice or guidance for any individual or organization, either through this website or any associated communication challenges that include but are not limited to social media, emails, or direct messages. Start Here Counseling & Consulting, PLLC, also is not a crisis response resource. Please visit our Other Resource page for additional information, including 24/7 support resources related to domestic violence and mental health.
Unauthorized use and/or duplication of any material found at this web-site without express and written permission from this site’s owner is strictly prohibited. Unless or until a counselor/client relationship is established in writing, please note that the website for Start Here Counseling & Consulting, PLLC, is not a resource for providing personalized advice or guidance for any individual or organization, either through this website or any associated communication challenges that include but are not limited to social media, emails, or direct messages. Start Here Counseling & Consulting, PLLC, also is not a crisis response resource. Please visit our Other Resource page for additional information, including 24/7 support resources related to domestic violence and mental health.