What Is It Most Women Really Want?
Many of my clients, both men and women, come to counseling seeking understanding and curbing of symptoms in their marriages and/or families. Most have their own stories, own perceptions, and own histories. Human beings are complex individuals with relationship histories and pasts that make each one of us all our own. As I have worked with […]
Helicopter Grandparenting: When Helping Becomes Hovering and Harming
I recently had a couple in my office for a variety of issues. We initially started to dialogue and generate some solutions concerning some significant problems they were facing. Their problem began long before their marriage, as I will explain, but had become an acute issue that was taxing their relationship and marriage as well […]
Infidelity: Marriage Meltdown After An Affair
When Betrayal Breaks the Bond I recently heard a client ask, “I feel completely betrayed after finding out about my husband’s affair. Does it even make sense to do counseling if my spouse had an affair? Isn’t it over?” Betrayal and broken trust are among the most difficult obstacles any couple can face, and they […]
Recovering Your Identity
The term identity is one commonly used by developmental psychologists and researchers when referencing an individuals sense of ‘differentness’ or ‘likeness’ with others. Ones identity is often tossed around with terms like ego strength, self-esteem, individuality, etc. Many individuals find that they need to ‘send’ or ‘broadcast’ a given set of values or beliefs in […]
Accountability, Responsibility, and Freedom : Maturity With Developing Adolescents
Teenagers bring with them a capacity to risk and explore their world similar to when they were toddlers. The difficulty is, most teens want the freedom of egocentric curious toddlers without the responsibility they need to bear as they are approaching young adulthood. Parents hope that as their son or daughter matures, he or she will […]
How Do I Know If I Need Couples or Marriage Counseling?
Often individuals feel they may be candidates for counseling but are not sure and don’t want to make things worse. I have had many clients that reported being worried prior to coming in for counseling that they might make things worse if they stirred things up and spoke out about their marriage and the issues […]
Social Anxiety During The Holidays
The holidays are filled with gatherings, work parties, socials, and church events … all activities typically enjoyed by most people. For some though, they are not events that bring nostalgia and excitement. Individuals that suffer and deal with social anxiety find these events troubling and more of a chore than a longed-for reunion with family […]
My Spouse Won’t Come To Counseling, Now What?
Often when relationships are conflicted or distant one member of the relationship recommends counseling as a part of conversation, usually when things are loaded and a feud is underway. It is not uncommon for one spouse to be ready and the other resists or balks at the request. The layman’s assumption is that counseling needs […]
Depression: Fueled by Sadness and Self-defeating Thoughts
Depression is a condition that is fueled by several factors. More often than not, laypersons think that depression is a result of a chemical imbalance based on discussion and rumor in layperson circles. Actually, it is not technically known what causes depression but we have a few solid leads on that issue. Depression can be […]
Your First Therapy Session
It has been my experience that new clients are often unsure what to expect in the first counseling session. At times, they feel doubt about what to say or do. There can be nervousness and anxiety about opening up to someone you’re meeting for the first time, especially when you find that you are sharing […]