My guest is Dr. Rick Balkin, Professor and Doctoral Program Coordinator, in the Department of Leadership and Counselor Education, at the University of Mississippi. Dr. Balkin is the immediate past editor of the Journal of Counseling & Development, the current editor of the International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling, and a Fellow of the American Counseling Association. His research focuses on counseling outcomes, instrument development, research methods, forgiveness, and religious diversity.

Warning: This episode contains descriptions of sexual abuse and suicide.

Dr. Balkin discusses how studying and teaching martial arts increased his self-confidence and ability to build strong relationships, describes how working in an inpatient psychiatric hospital impacted his growth as a new professional, reflects on some of his most memorable and challenging cases, and shares about how his clinical work has informed his research into forgiveness. He also explains how recent hardships and struggles have increased his willingness to express vulnerability and nurture deeper friendships.

For more information about The International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors, visit IAMFC's website: http://www.iamfconline.org/