I recognize it’s been quite some time since I have updated the Blog portion of my website. When I pause and reflect on why that it is, I am taken aback by the many changes that have transpired since the last post in November 2017. To summarize the past 3 years fully would take far more time and energy than I think most people have to read right now, so I will try to provide highlights rather than a full summary. Let’s begin shall we!
· Continued working on my AASECT Sex Therapist Certification since August 2017 with the amazing help of Drs. Stephanie Buehler and Shirley Baron
· Obtained the certification in December 2020 with extreme delight (I am the only Licensed Psychologist in Nevada with this certification)
· Private practice adventures continued in both individual practice and within a group practice
· I had the privilege to train two students in anxiety and trauma treatments that will make amazing providers for the community
· Began the process of board certification which will continue over the coming 1.5 years
· COVID-19 happened and there are both too few and too many words to describe that experience
· Worries about patients, their families, my own family and friends, colleagues, the world…is everyone an option for that worry?
· Started some new hobbies in an effort to create a better work/life balance
· Reflection has happened more and more with uncertainty about exact goals, but as the year 2020 has taught, have ideas not exact plans
While I recognize there is still so much more to address, I wanted to take the brief opportunity to reflect on an area that keeps popping into my head. When I think about the role of psychologists in the world and especially my role in my chosen specialty, I can’t help but focus on the overarching desire to inform the world of the science. Why do we have the concerns we have? Why is sex so difficult for so many people? Why is anxiety such a pain in so many aspects of our lives? Without having an exact goal in mind, I have a good idea of what I want to do in both my practice and within this Blog space. Let’s just focus on really cool information! Let’s learn together and survive the coming uncertainties and discovers! Stay safe everyone and Happy New Year!
-Dr. Jordan Soper