How to be a Wonderful Counselor

What do you do when you simply don’t feel strong enough for what you’re facing?

In this episode, I share how financial stress, rental-property problems, and a very opinionated Norwegian inner critic led me back to Alma 31:31–38 and Alma’s prayer for strength.

Using the C-A-L-M Method, we’ll look at how faith, wise thinking, and one inspired next step can help us face problems we cannot immediately fix.

Struggling with a child who's always on a screen? You don't need a Counseling degree — you need C.A.L.M.

In this video, we dive into Words of Mormon 1:18 and pull out a simple, scripture-rooted framework any parent can use when gaming or social media has taken over their child's life. After 30 years of clinical counseling experience, I've distilled it down to four steps:

C – Concerns
A – AI-assisted facts and logic
L – Lord
M – My next step

No advanced degree req...

You don't need a master's degree in counseling psychology to comfort, guide, and inspire.

In this series, I share the best of my 30 years of professional counseling experience, distilled into simple steps you can actually use.

You'll learn how to listen with compassion, use AI carefully as a research assistant, and find one powerful scripture that can become a lifeline for someone you love — something you can keep "in your back pocket" for the difficult moments.

Most importantly, these scriptures will help you comfort those who stand in need of comfort an...

What do you say when your child comes home hurt, embarrassed, and worn down from being picked on?

In this episode of Comfort and Counsel, we step inside a father-and-son pickup truck conversation with a 13-year-old boy who is being bullied because he is short. Using Helaman 5:12, we explore how parents, counselors, and leaders can help a child feel understood, find wisdom that applies to his problem, find out "What Would God Say?, and begin building confidence on the rock of Jesus Christ.

When your child comes to you carrying heartbreak and pain, it can be hard to know what to say. Using AI as a thoughtful research assistant to help answer the question, “What would God say?” this podcast which is about a middle school teacher in rural Texas. It teaches you how to combine the best counseling psychology strategies I developed over 30 years of clinical experience with the power of God’s word. You will learn 5 simple steps to offer emotional support, seek wisdom and the words of God, and help your child or client find inspired next steps and healin...

How do you bridle your natural man or woman?  How do you reign in yourself from thoughts and behaviors that are taking you down a destructive path?  I'm hoping to illustrate how Mosiah 3:19, which I used to think of as a prickly scripture, is a real gem to help yourself or those you love.

A Father who's 14 year old is so depressed that she thinks about taking her life, finds peace and strength in the Savior.  These two scriptures are good for anyone facing a tough challenge.

What are some great scriptures to help someone who is being bullied or emotionally abused?  Actually todays scripture, Alma 7:11-12 can help with a myriad of problems.  Listen to see an example of how to use it most effectively.

What do you say when you or someone you love is saying and thinking, 

I'm worthless.

I'm not good enough.

I'm not important.

I can't compete.

In this episode I teach you to use the 4W's  Worries, Wisdom, Word and Why with Peyton a 15 year old who struggles with her worth and the volleyball team and social media.

One of the most difficult and painful things a parent has to face is when a child choses not to follow the Savior.   It's so hard to know if what you are doing is the right thing to do. This week's episode is the 4W's to help a parent who is grieving.

What do you say when all that criticism, all those negative things the kids say to your child at school is really getting her down?  One of my parents tells the story of using the 4W's to help her hurting daughter.  If you'd had success with CLTS, I encourage you to share it with me!   dr.tracyhogan@gmail.com

When someone you love is discouraged should you try to cheer them up?  Be positive and encourage emotional resilience?  In this episode we talk about how sometimes that's not the most effective thing to do.   If a child does not feel listened to, they are not ready to hear your wisdom.

You might ask yourself, If I believe the scriptures are the words of God, why can't I use them when I'm trying to counsel someone I love.  In this podcast we'll discuss how to use the scriptures to help people in perhaps ways you've never used before.

Hey Parents or anyone who'd like to Counsel Like the Savior.  Here's a podcast to help you bring comfort, hope and real change to those you care about.
For about 25 years I tried counseling without using the scriptures.  Then I found someone I couldn't help without using them. To help you become a better listener and develop compassion, I will introduce you to the 4W's of counseling like the Savior, 
Worries
Wisdom
Word
Why