Dr. Mark Schwarze

10/08/2026

It’s scary out there.

October is the month when we voluntarily pay people to scare us. We walk through haunted houses knowing someone with a chainsaw is waiting around the corner. We watch horror

09/03/2026

Pet loss is harder than you realize.

I decided to write about pet loss this month after hearing a remarkable number of stories recently from clients, friends and people on social media who have lost beloved animals.

08/04/2026

We need to do better.

When we think about mental health, we often picture counseling offices, psychiatric medications, or hospitals. Yet one of the strongest predictors of anxiety, depression, chronic stress, substance use, and even

07/23/2026

Thanks National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc. and Affiliates - NBCC for the recognition.

07/06/2026

Many parents worry about their children spending too much time online. Increasingly, adults are beginning to ask the same question of themselves.

I will be the first to admit it. I love technology. I love my iPad, my phone, TikTok, and streaming music. I use AI-based technologies in my counseling practice and

06/29/2026

Tomorrow marks the end of a six year journey serving on the NC Board of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors, including the privilege of spending two of the years as Chair. It has been one of the most challenging, humbling, and rewarding experiences of my professional career.

When people think about licensure boards, they often think only of investigations or disciplinary actions. The reality is much broader. I had the opportunity to work alongside incredibly dedicated board members and staff who care deeply about protecting the public while also supporting the counseling profession. Together, we worked to modernize regulations, improve processes, strengthen supervision, enhance licensure standards, and prepare our profession for the future.

This experience taught me a few lessons.

First, leadership is almost always more complicated than it appears from the outside. Many decisions require balancing competing priorities with limited information, and there is rarely a solution that makes everyone happy.

Second, meaningful change takes patience. The most important improvements often happen quietly, one policy, one meeting, and one conversation at a time.

Finally, I was reminded that our profession is strongest when counselors are willing to serve beyond their own practices, agencies, and classrooms. Whether through a licensure board, professional association, committee, or volunteer role, giving back helps shape the future for those who come after us.

To everyone I had the privilege of serving with over these six years, thank you. Your wisdom, integrity, and commitment made me a better counselor, leader, and person.

If you’ve ever considered serving on a licensure board or professional organization, I encourage you to say yes. It requires time, energy, and sometimes difficult decisions, but it is one of the most meaningful ways you can give back to the profession that has given so much to all of us.

As one chapter closes tomorrow, I’m excited to see what the next one holds.

06/05/2026

After reading the hateful and vile comments in many Pride Month Facebook posts this week, I am glad to put this perspective out there in the universe.

What happens to a person’s mental health when they spend years feeling unheard, unsafe, dismissed, or forced to justify their basic humanity? One issue that continues to impact emotional wellbeing

06/04/2026

I currently have a few spots open for new clients. My practice is now virtual counseling only.

Feel free to use my listing to get details:

Mark J. Schwarze, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Boone, NC, 28607, (828) 374-9467, As a counselor I operate from a Person-centered approach. This means I will work hard to create a warm, non-judgmental, and empathetic space for us to do our work. I am interested in the way you think and....

06/01/2026

Happy Pride Month!

This month is an opportunity to celebrate authenticity, courage, love, and the rich diversity that strengthens our communities. As a counselor, educator, and advocate for mental health, I believe that everyone deserves to be seen, valued, respected, and supported for who they are.

Wishing a joyful and affirming Pride Month to all. Let us continue building communities where people can live openly, connect authentically, and thrive.

05/18/2026

Excited to have this one out!

Dr. Mark Schwarze, associate professor, and Dr. Katie Biddle, assistant professor, both in the Department of Counseling, Family Therapy, and Higher Education, recently published in the Journal of Creativity in Mental Health.

Their article introduces an innovative framework using video creation and guided storytelling to support counseling with older adults. By addressing key themes—loneliness, grief, life transitions, and health — their work highlights how creative, technology-supported approaches can strengthen connection and enhance therapeutic outcomes.

Click the link in the comments to read the article.