Full Focus Counseling- Scott Thode, LPC

03/25/2026

This Is Gettin’ Weird: The Future of AI and Mental Health

Let’s start with a little ramble. I have been wanting to write something about artificial intelligence for a while now. I have started several posts about it, just to erase and start over again. I’m not sure what it is about this topic. AI is a tricky one. It could save the world, but it could also destroy the world. It could take our jobs, but it could also lead to abundance for all....

Let’s start with a little ramble. I have been wanting to write something about artificial intelligence for a while now. I have started several posts about it, just to erase and start over again. I’…

10/24/2025

What does it mean to care? Is it a feeling? On some level, sure. But that’s just a starting point. A thought? It probably involves thinking too, but we shouldn’t stop there. Action? Yes, absolutely. Action is probably the most central ingredient. But there is more to it, especially with the highest forms of caring. Time and dedication? Yes and yes....

What does it mean to care? Is it a feeling? On some level, sure. But that’s just a starting point. A thought? It probably involves thinking too, but we shouldn’t stop there. Action? Yes, absolutely…

08/06/2025

Confidence is a confusing word, so I should first be clear about what I mean. It seems to me that most people use the term confidence to refer to some kind of elevated feeling state. Whether it’s a little extra spark or something more grandiose, the popular use of confidence implies that we need a heightened mood in order to perform well, succeed in life, or even to just be ourselves....

Confidence is a confusing word, so I should first be clear about what I mean. It seems to me that most people use the term confidence to refer to some kind of elevated feeling state. Whether it’s a…

06/11/2025

When we’re little, we start learning about our body parts. We even sing songs about them—"Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes,” “The Hokey Pokey,” and others. Very early in life, we physically locate ourselves in the world by naming what’s part of us, and our social environment reinforces this curiosity. But what about the parts of the mind? We might get vague hints that the mind has something like parts....

When we’re little, we start learning about our body parts. We even sing songs about them—”Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes,” “The Hokey Pokey,” and others. Very early in life, we physically l…

04/22/2025

Problems can seem like a dark landscape, and the way we think about them is like a flashlight. Shift the beam even slightly, and what once felt overwhelming becomes navigable. As a therapist, I think a lot about how people approach problems. I’m always keeping in mind whether a change in perspective can reduce the stress response— which, in turn, opens the door to calmer, clearer, and more adaptive thinking....

Problems can seem like a dark landscape, and the way we think about them is like a flashlight. Shift the beam even slightly, and what once felt overwhelming becomes navigable. As a therapist, I thi…

03/13/2025

I wrote a poem about an ocean wave. It’s a true story. I was in the ocean once Floating on my back Minding my business The waters were quite calm I was at peace Unexpectedly A wave caught me Rolled…

01/24/2025

Marcus Aurelius is an inspiration to me. If you're not familiar, he was the Roman Emperor from the years 161 to 180. His personal diary was found a long time ago and published in a book called "Meditations." I highly recommend it. His style of journaling is something that I've stolen from him. I'm sure he wouldn't mind. Basically, his diary is full of personal insights and advice to himself. ...

Marcus Aurelius is an inspiration to me. If you’re not familiar, he was the Roman Emperor from the years 161 to 180. His personal diary was found a long time ago and published in a book calle…

12/18/2024

https://scottthode.com/2024/12/18/dealing-with-difficult-feelings/

Difficult feelings are a rather regular and normal aspect of human nature. To some extent, I have them just about every day. Do you? The challenge is that we are often using a subconscious framewor…

07/25/2024

The late great philosopher Ram Das once said something to the effect of, “Every day I wake up, and I go to school.” He must’ve been in his 50’s or 60’s at the time. Ram Das was a smart man. Ph.D. level education. Harvard professor. Studied under some of the greatest spiritual teachers of his time. Wrote many books. Gave many lectures....

The late great philosopher Ram Das once said something to the effect of, “Every day I wake up, and I go to school.” He must’ve been in his 50’s or 60’s at the time. Ram Das was a smart man. Ph.D. l…

04/25/2024

Our attention spans are short. There are so many sources of potential stimulation competing for our attention. Modern technology allows us to bounce from one activity to the next without any sustained focus. You ever wonder what your great grandparents would think about this way of living? Our patience is thin. If the internet is slow or the icemaker stops working, boy are we inconvenienced....

Our attention spans are short. There are so many sources of potential stimulation competing for our attention. Modern technology allows us to bounce from one activity to the next without any sustai…

03/01/2024

Blink. And it's 2024. Another presidential election year. Polls show most Americans aren’t happy with our likely choices. Peggy Noonan from the WSJ said it well: Ole Grumpy vs. Ole Crazy. Some may disagree with that characterization but seems about spot on to me. My field is mental health though, not political punditry, so I’ll stay in my lane. Not too long ago, we were in the midst of Covid lockdowns, the 2020 election, and social unrest of various forms, all of which had a profound impact on mental health....

Blink. And it’s 2024. Another presidential election year. Polls show most Americans aren’t happy with our likely choices. Peggy Noonan from the WSJ said it well: Ole Grumpy vs. Ole Crazy. Som…

01/15/2024

It’s hard figuring out how to be. What should be revealed? What should be concealed? It’s often a delicate balance between being prosocial and being authentic. This space is always grey, never blac…