The National Council for Behavioral Health (September 2021) reports that “70% of adults have experienced some type of trauma at least once in their lives.” This is a staggering statistic! It is one that warrants more of our attention to better understand the impacts of trauma and what we can do to heal. What is trauma? Trauma is not [...]
As COVID lingers on, some wonder, “Will this ever end?” and “How will I ever get through this?” How many times have you asked yourself the latter question? We wonder how we will navigate the tough stuff of life. It’s not until the event or experience is fully in the rearview mirror that we are able to realize that [...]
I have been doing some observing and reading about being sensitive. It seems that many of the people who come in for counseling find themselves in this category. They may not use the word ‘sensitive’ but when they describe their experience it connects with qualities of one with a sensitive nature. It is something I am familiar with because [...]
I have been reflecting quite a bit about an increased dividedness I have observed and felt over the last couple of years. It is happening globally, nationally and locally. It is happening in politics, on social issues, and in our churches. This exacerbates the stress many experience on a regular basis in the workplace and in our personal relationships. [...]
“How long will I be in counseling?” This is a question that is often asked when someone is starting in therapy. It is a tough one to answer. The short answer is that it is different for every person. The long answer has to do with various factors such as commitment, support, time, and depth of a problem, [...]
Joe’s Story: Joe (not his real name) came to me a couple of years ago. His complaint was anxiety that showed up as stomach problems, aches and pains, poor sleep and constant worry. He explained that he retired six months prior and it was not what he thought it would be. He felt lost and hopeless. We dug a little [...]
How Seasons Can Affect Our Moods and Our Lives Every year at this time, when the break from summer ends and the school year starts, I feel a shift in both myself and the environment around me. It has been this way since I was a child. There is this anticipation of increased activity and responsibility; an anticipation that [...]
When I was a child, I used to dread lent. My parents would “strongly encourage” me to give something up. I interpreted that to mean sacrificing something I loved, usually chocolate. I would succumb to this task for a few days. Soon enough the chocolate crept back into my routine. “What did this all mean anyway?” and “What’s the [...]
It’s that time of year again. Halloween has only just passed and we are already bombarded with advertisements and displays announcing that the holidays are just around the corner. This is supposed to be exciting right? We get to spend time with our families, give and receive gifts, eat good food. What could possibly be wrong with that? Unfortunately, [...]
Did you know that anxiety disorders are the most common mental disorders in the U.S.? It affects 40 million adults, age 18 and older, or 18% of the population. We live in a time with many stressors and demands and little emphasis on taking time to be still and take care of ourselves. When we are under such persistent [...]
