Articles
How to Move Beyond Codependent Relationship Dynamics
A relationship can be like a grapevine – planted in good soil and with the right mix of what it needs, it can produce an amazing crop. The best relationships leave you feeling deeply satisfied, and there’s nothing quite like them. When two people genuinely love and respect each other, those are the makings of a beautiful relationship. However, just like a grapevine, a relationship can be emaciating and unhealthy in a variety of ways. Codependency is one of many ways that a relationship can go wrong. The good news is that codependency can be dealt with, and a relationship can [...]
Symptoms of OCD and How Christian Counseling Can Help
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is a mental health condition that involves repetitive, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) that are relieved by repetitive rituals (compulsions) that appease the discomfort of the behavior. As the symptoms of OCD become more pronounced, the pattern of behavior can become further engrained and feel uncontrollable, causing much distress to the individual, as well as their loved ones who witness the struggle. At the heart of OCD lies deep-seated anxiety, which can be treated with medication and cognitive behavioral therapy. However, Christian counseling offers an additional tool. By reminding individuals that the symptoms of OCD are not beyond the sovereignty of [...]
PTSD and Relationships: A Circular Pattern
PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) is a mental health disorder that can develop as the result of a person witnessing or experiencing a shocking, terrifying, dangerous, traumatic event such as war, physical or mental abuse, violence, captivity, an act of terrorism, or a natural disaster, where someone’s life was threatened, or a severe injury or death occurred. How PTSD and relationships interact PTSD symptoms can create issues with trust, closeness, and communication that affect the way a trauma survivor suffering from PTSD acts toward others. This, in turn, influences how they respond to the survivor’s actions, which impacts his or her reaction [...]
Grieving the Unexpected: Coping with the Loss of a Child
From the earliest hint or news that we are adding to our families, we encounter a range of emotions. Whether we give birth or adopt, the process of preparing for a life and welcoming another family member grips us with joy, anticipation, hope, and uncertainty. We want to give our children the best of everything, and most of all, ourselves. We do all that we can to make their paths look a little different, and in many ways better, than the events and circumstances that contributed to our challenges. It is all normal to experience this as part of the [...]
How Do Different Attachment Styles Show Up in the World?
If you are currently sitting at your laptop or reading this on your phone, then you are likely asking yourself the following questions: “What is my attachment style?”, “How does my attachment style show up in the world?”, “What are the different attachment styles?”, or “Why is attachment important?” If that’s you, welcome. In the field of psychology, “” is widely understood as being “the emotional-relational bond created between a parent and child during the first few years of the child’s life.” This bond is characterized by and observed through proximity-seeking behavior from the child toward the parent, and from the [...]
Understanding Types of Adult ADHD Therapy
Most of the time ADHD is diagnosed in children, but there are instances where ADHD isn’t diagnosed until a person is an adult. As the person ages the symptoms can change and often add stress to daily life. Those diagnosed with ADHD as an adult frequently prefer to use therapy for treatment rather than medication. This treatment plan involves learning how to manage and cope with the symptoms of ADHD. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be [...]
A Back-to-School Routine for Your Child with Autism or ADHD
A back-to-school routine is helpful for all children, especially children with autism or ADHD. A routine will provide stability and peace. Children with autism or ADHD do not like to live a “go with the flow” lifestyle. Clear expectations and consistent routines help them remain calm, particularly when they need to adapt to something new. School brings a lot of routines, but it is also new and ever-changing. Summer break can throw a whole family into a different routine. That’s why a back-to-school routine for your child is essential. If your child has autism or ADHD, a back-to-school routine is essential. [...]
The Value Of Emotional Intelligence In Relationships
As beautiful as relationships can be, it takes a lot of work to sustain them and make them into spaces that are nurturing and flourishing. Relationships can be difficult, especially when our emotions are involved. Understanding our own emotions and the emotions of others is a valuable life skill and necessary for healthy relationships. At the heart of happy and thriving relationships lies one key attribute: emotional intelligence. But what exactly is emotional intelligence, and how can it make such a huge difference in our relationships? This article will attempt to answer these questions and offer practical ways to develop your [...]
How to Deal with Challenges in Your Relationship with God
In every relationship, there comes a time when things go a bit wonky and out of alignment. It doesn’t have to be anyone’s fault. Sometimes, people simply miss each other, whether because someone misspoke, because of fatigue and inattention, or because one or both of you are under stress and a little bit on edge. In those situations, you might be a little inconsiderate or miss cues you’d otherwise pick up on and respond to. A person’s relationship with God is similar, in many ways, to their relationship with other people. There is communication, there are intentions and expressed purposes and [...]