There is a strange period in becoming a therapist when you are simultaneously expected to know a remarkable amount and are painfully aware of how much you still do not know.

Spend enough time in therapist Facebook groups, Reddit discussions, professional forums, or conversations with clinicians in private practice, and you will eventually encounter some version of the same warning:

If you are currently completing a graduate counseling program, July 1, 2027, may seem far away. Depending on where you are in your program, however, that date could significantly affect how you prepare for one of the most important milestones on your path toward becoming a licensed professional counselor. The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) has announced revised examination specifications for both the National Counselor Examination (NCE) and the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE), with the new specifications taking effect July 1, 2027.

As summer draws to a close, millions of children, adolescents, and college students prepare to begin a new academic year. While back-to-school advertisements often focus on school supplies, new clothes, and exciting opportunities, mental health professionals recognize that this season represents one of the most significant periods of transition throughout the year. New classrooms, unfamiliar teachers, changing peer groups, increased academic expectations, and evolving family routines all occur within a relatively short period of time. For many students, these changes are exciting. For others, they can bring anxiety, uncertainty, grief, and emotional overwhelm.

Self-care has become one of the most common phrases in the mental health profession. We tell clients to practice it. Graduate programs remind students about it. Supervisors ask about it when we appear overwhelmed. Professional organizations warn us about burnout and encourage us to take care of ourselves. Yet many therapists are still exhausted. Perhaps the problem is not that therapists do not understand self-care. Perhaps the problem is that we have been taught to think about it too narrowly.

Every June, Pride Month invites us to celebrate visibility, authenticity, and the resilience of LGBTQ+ communities. Across the country, rainbow flags appear in businesses, schools, healthcare organizations, and social media feeds. For many people, Pride is a time of joy, connection, and community.