Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month focuses on bringing awareness to the struggles that Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) face with Mental Health in the United States. While we know anyone can struggle with mental health issues regardless of their...

What is Self-Harm?  Self-Harm is the act of purposely causing pain and damage to one’s own body. Usually, the person who self-harms is not attempting suicide but more so looking for a release of their negative emotions. Though some may express satisfaction due to the temporary...

International Women's Day, celebrated annually on March 8, is a global day recognizing the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. At Next Step, we are committed to raising awareness about women's equality and promoting a culture of diversity and inclusiveness of all kinds. To...

By Rebecca Smith Next Step counselor Jansen McDonald, LMSW, happened upon the counseling field in an unusual way. “I majored in psychology in college just because I love to be with people, but I didn’t know what that would entail for me,” he said. “When I really...

By Rebecca Smith Next Step counselor Brittney Dougan, LMSW, recalls a 7th-grade student she felt has made some of the most progress since Brittney started with Next Step in September 2020. “She was really angry, ready to fight people at the drop of a hat,” Brittney said. “When...

Having a mentor can be one of the most fulfilling relationships in a person’s life, but often it’s hard to pin down exactly what qualities make someone a great mentor. That might be because what someone needs most from a mentor/mentee relationship can vary from person...