Featured Archives | Plano Christian Counseling

Mental Disorders in Children: 6 Signs Your Child May Need Help

Hannah Parks, Kate Motaung2025-12-09T08:35:33+00:00December 9th, 2025|Christian Counseling for Children, Family Counseling, Featured, Individual Counseling|

Childhood is a precious time. Children play, make friends, and absorb knowledge in everything they do. It is a moment in a parent’s life that they will look back and wish their children were that age again. But for some, childhood brings the emergence of mental disorders. Many mental conditions display signs in the teenage years or as early as grade school age. Signs That Your Child Might Need Help Kids display signs of mental disorders, although they may be subtle initially. These conditions affect emotional, mental, cognitive, and behavioral health. Not all children complain or can explain that they feel “off.” Academic Problems Slipping grades, fights at school, problems with friends, and defiant behavior toward teachers and authority could be a sign of a mental condition. By eliminating other factors, such as bullying, your doctor can better pinpoint the root of the problem and determine an accurate diagnosis. Behavioral Issues Fighting, hitting, arguing, isolating, and other behavioral issues could indicate that something isn’t right. If your child’s behavior escalates to the point that teachers and authorities need to step in or if your child withdraws from the world, a professional mental health assessment may be due. Appetite Changes Appetite changes can be subtle. You may not notice if your child is eating too little or too much for a while, especially in a busy household. Take note of your child’s appearance. Do they seem to be rapidly gaining or losing weight? Watch them at mealtimes and observe if they are snacking excessively. Childhood and the teenage years are particularly prone to developing eating disorders, which can also coexist with other mental health conditions. Sleep Changes Your child may not express any sleep issues, so you may need to observe their physical appearance and behavior. Many mental disorders can cause [...]

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The Link Between ADHD Procrastination and Perfectionism

The Link Between ADHD Procrastination and Perfectionism

Bryan Ferguson, Kate Motaung2025-12-06T07:34:06+00:00December 8th, 2025|ADHD/ADD, Featured, Individual Counseling|

Many people with ADHD are seen to be lazy or disinterested in their studies, tasks at work, friendships, and even in their romantic relationships. This is because most of those with ADHD are procrastinators, frequently leaving things unfinished and appointments unattended. While it might be easy for others to judge them, the truth is that their tendency to procrastinate is far more complex than it would seem. The tendency to procrastinate in people with ADHD is often linked to an instinctive need they have to make things perfect. In other words, ADHD-related procrastination goes hand in hand with perfectionism, and it’s important to understand why. More Than Meets the Eye People with ADHD are frequently the subjects of misunderstanding and undeserved contempt. They are seen to be rude, standoffish, uncaring, exhausting, too direct, and perhaps worst of all, lazy. In truth, those with ADHD are as imperfect as every other person. Like all of us, they may exhibit these character flaws. There is, however, often a deeper reason as to why they are perceived in these ways. They might not be able to articulate the reasons if questioned, but many neurodiverse people are impacted by the judgments people pass on them. Your loved one or coworker with ADHD is not overemotional; they have struggles regulating their emotions. They are not as careless and disorganized as they are impaired in punctuality and planning. They are not disinterested, disengaged, or lazy because they fail to complete tasks, miss deadlines, or fail to produce results. They are most likely afraid to fail, have standards that are too high to attain, or might be paralyzed by self-doubt. Most people with ADHD struggle in ways you could never understand as a neurotypical person. They require patience, and you refrain from judging them if they [...]

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Social Media and Body Image: When Filters Distort Reality

Social Media and Body Image: When Filters Distort Reality

Sarah Harris, Kate Motaung2025-12-04T07:22:38+00:00December 4th, 2025|Featured, Individual Counseling, Personal Development|

Chances are that you’ve done this or are doing it right now: scrolling. You’re just checking your feed, right? No big deal. But before long, you begin to feel it. That little ache in your chest, or the pit of your stomach, and the faint whisper in your ear that says that you’re not as attractive or accomplished as those images on the tiny screen. You’re certainly not thin enough after that hearty breakfast. You’re obviously not strong enough because you succumbed to checking out “his” social media again. You must not be attractive enough since all those in your social circle seem to be finding love, and you’re not. Social media often tells you that you’re not enough in some measurable way. Social media is supposed to connect us, hence the inclusion of the word “social” in the name. And sometimes it does exactly what it is supposed to do. It brings joy, celebration, and builds community. But for many, especially women and young people, it also provides a critical mirror that distorts reality. It becomes a filter for lies and a highlight reel that confidently celebrates everyone else’s wins and quietly chips away at your self-esteem. When life is going great, you might enjoy consuming a few images from influencers, fitness gurus, or even peeking into the lives of your most accomplished and polished friends. And there might not be any harm in doing that occasionally. But there are times when social media can become toxic to consume. Somewhere between the endless reels and the perfectly posed selfies, your brain starts comparing. And comparison, as has been said, is the thief of joy, but it is also the thief of identity. You were never meant to find your identity in the confusing halls of the internet or to [...]

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Can Adults Have ADHD? 6 Common Symptoms of Adult ADHD

Can Adults Have ADHD? 6 Common Symptoms of Adult ADHD

McCartney Paul, Kate Motaung2025-12-02T08:49:13+00:00December 2nd, 2025|ADHD/ADD, Featured, Individual Counseling|

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is commonly seen in children but can follow them into adulthood. The symptoms typically diminish and become less severe as the children grow. However, adult ADHD symptoms can interfere with daily activities at home and work. Inability to concentrate, losing patience, and disorganization can affect your relationships. Although there is no cure for adult ADHD, once you recognize the symptoms, you can seek help. What is adult ADHD? Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder affects millions of adults worldwide, according to a recent study published in the Journal of Global Health (February 2021). Whether the adults experienced ADHD symptoms as children or not, this mental health disorder is taken seriously. There are several reasons why someone may develop ADHD. These include genetics (hereditary traits), environmental factors, and central nervous disorders. ADHD can also coexist with mood and anxiety disorders. According to diagnostic testing, adults must consistently exhibit at least five symptoms over six months before being diagnosed with ADHD. However, only a professional mental health specialist can make the determination. Adult ADHD Symptoms Perhaps you were never officially tested for ADHD while growing up. Many of the symptoms in children are sometimes chalked up to a child being too excitable or even referred to as a troublemaker by those who do not recognize the signs. Many of the symptoms listed are seen in childhood but escalate as adults. How many of these symptoms did you have as a child and still have today? You are easily distracted Do you often sit at your desk trying to work but catch yourself daydreaming out the window? How often have you set out to do a task but end up distracted by new tasks, scrolling social media, or watching videos? Inability to stay focused is one of the most common signs of Attention-Deficit [...]

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Help for Single Moms: Ways to Find Support

Help for Single Moms: Ways to Find Support

D. Nicole Ready, Kate Motaung2025-11-25T07:43:34+00:00November 25th, 2025|Family Counseling, Featured, Individual Counseling, Personal Development, Women’s Issues|

Being a parent brings many ups and downs. Children can bring loads of joy, but they also come with their fair share of strain and hardship. The cost of raising a child to adulthood in the United States was approximately $267,233 in 2021, according to a report by US News and World. Paid maternity leave, subsidized health and childcare, and universal preschool can help if you have access, but, regardless, raising children can cause incredible financial pressure to parents. How much more of a strain can it be if you are a single parent! Single moms face not only financial challenges, but also other unique difficulties. Besides being exciting and life-altering, motherhood also gives self-doubt, sleepless nights, and endless worries. Motherhood requires a great amount of patience and selflessness, and let’s be honest, every mother needs help along the way. The more support you have, the better. Whether you are a single mom who is looking for ways to flourish or you are someone seeking to be helpful to a single mom, this article is for you. We all need support from others to live our best lives, and in this, single moms are no different. If You Know a Single Mom If you have a single mama in your world, there are several things that you can do to help lighten her load. Some of these will take some emotional and financial investment, while others will require that you simply give of your time and thoughtfulness. Don’t require a backstory before you decide to help out The journey to someone being a single mom doesn’t look the same for everyone, and there are many reasons why someone may be a single mom. Whatever path has led her to being a single mom, you don’t need to know the [...]

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What to Expect in Therapy for Teens in Plano, Texas

What to Expect in Therapy for Teens in Plano, Texas

Melissa Plantz2025-11-04T08:19:28+00:00November 4th, 2025|Christian Counseling For Teens, Family Counseling, Featured, Individual Counseling|

Looking for Christian therapy for teens in Plano, Texas? If so, we can help. Everyone talks about how challenging it is to raise toddlers. They are perhaps the first age group that tries their parents’ patience and has them down on their knees in prayer. The second major age group that parents often worry about is the teenage years. Adolescence is the transitional period between childhood and adulthood. Your child wants independence, but also wants to know that you are still there for them. At that age, teens are curious, rebellious, and often a bit like their parents. This can be a challenging time for both teens and parents. However, the good news is that more parents are finding solace in therapy for teens, a resource that can provide much-needed support and guidance during this season. Topics Covered in Therapy for Teens in Plano, Texas Many of the topics that teens face today, their grandparents also faced as teens, such as smoking, peer pressure, underage drinking, and teen pregnancy. However, there are some things that, as parents, we never had to worry about until the 21st century. For example, social media and cyberbullying are among the issues that teens face. What once used to be name-calling on the playground has turned into full-blown attacks across the internet, leading some teens to depression and suicide. The following is a list of common topics we cover in therapy for teens in Plano, Texas: Peer pressure Drug addiction Teen sex Sexual confusion Teen pregnancy Bullying (in all forms) Identity confusion Academic pressure Athletic pressure Addiction to social media platforms and gaming Family issues Conflict at school Communication Anxiety Depression Eating disorders Spiritual questions Grief and loss Divorce and family changes Trauma, abuse, neglect, or abandonment Plano is home to many excellent schools—such as [...]

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6 Tips for Long-Distance Dating

6 Tips for Long-Distance Dating

Melissa Plantz2025-10-27T12:45:33+00:00October 29th, 2025|Couples Counseling, Featured, Personal Development, Relationship Issues|

Whether your boyfriend or girlfriend lives far away, is stationed in another state, deployed overseas, or working elsewhere, you can keep the fire alive in your relationship with a few long-distance dating tips. 6 Tips for Long-Distance Dating You can maintain a strong relationship even when you’re separated. It takes effort, considering the other person’s needs and respecting their boundaries. It also takes a level of trust. Long-term, long-distance dating can be more challenging, and you may want to consider seeking help from a counselor. For example, a couple separated by one taking a new job in another state may have an easier time over the next four months before the wedding compared to the couple separated by a year-long deployment overseas. The following is a list of several tips for long-distance dating. Communicate Often Communication lines must stay open and honest. Let your other half know you are thinking of them with calls, video chats, and memes. A little text in the middle of the day, letting them know they’re on your mind, can bring you closer. With today’s technology, seeing each other face-to-face virtually can make the distance seem shorter. Ask Questions When you speak to your significant other, ask questions and actively listen to their responses. Don’t get so caught up in what you want to say that you miss the details. People build trust and confidence with others when they believe that the person is taking a genuine interest in them. Do Something Together Virtually Engage in activities you can share virtually. For example, stream a movie at the same time, cook dinner while video chatting, or play a game online. Think of ways the two of you can share an experience. How about a virtual tour of a historical place? You can discuss what [...]

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Is Counseling a Safe Space to Bare All My Secrets?

Is Counseling a Safe Space to Bare All My Secrets?

McCartney Paul, Kate Motaung2025-10-22T06:29:59+00:00October 22nd, 2025|Featured, Individual Counseling, Men’s Issues, Personal Development|

In this day and age, with so many innovations, like virtual counseling, on the rise, many question if the joy of opening up in counseling is still safe and intact. We are all justified in wondering whether new methods like online therapy still provide that trusted sanctuary of face-to-face talk, where vulnerabilities are met with empathy and expertise. Now, let’s get into what makes today’s counseling climate challenging and reassuring at the same time for many people who share these questions. Why Traditional Counseling Was Always a Safe Space Traditional counseling has always been loved and respected because of its unique promise of an environment of trust and confidentiality. Counselors proudly adhered to strict ethical guidelines to keep your privacy intact while creating a therapeutic environment. It created a neutral zone, which allowed you to explore your feelings without fear of exposure. With increased knowledge related to the physiology of mental health over the years, this insight has helped clients gain immensely by making counseling an emotionally secure experience for all parties involved. Attachment dynamics and the traditional counselors’ grasp of how the mind and body connect and interlink helped this field grow and gain a reputation for being essential to overall well-being. If you speak to people who have received counseling throughout their lives, they will be quick to share the great joy and relief counseling has brought them. They loved that sense of solace in a space where active listening, empathy, and reflection thrived. They often laud the capacity they gained to lift burdens off their shoulders and make life’s challenges manageable. With this in mind, it is quite natural for some to wonder why, then the mental health fraternity has reinvented the wheel and incorporated new technologies into counseling. How Counseling Has Changed in the Digital [...]

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Are You in a Codependent Relationship? Signs of Codependency to Look Out for

Are You in a Codependent Relationship? Signs of Codependency to Look Out for

Hannah Parks, Kate Motaung2025-10-21T09:13:48+00:00October 21st, 2025|Codependency, Couples Counseling, Featured, Individual Counseling, Relationship Issues|

Picture the scene: two fish swimming in a lake. The one fish turns to the other and asks, “Hey, what’s water?” From the perspective of everyone who’s not those fish, it’s obvious what water is. However, it’s possible to be so immersed in your perspective, experiences, or surroundings that you struggle even to question or notice the things that could seem obvious to others. Our relationships are one area where we might miss the obvious. When you’re accustomed to your relationships operating in a certain way, you may become blind to the ways they are unhealthy. Just like the fish in water that doesn’t even know that it’s in water, you might be in an unhealthy and codependent relationship without being fully aware of the fact. Knowing the signs of codependency can help you identify these patterns and address them. Codependency – What is it? You may have heard the term "codependent" before, and perhaps you puzzled over its meaning. It’s been said that “no person is an island”, and we all depend on each other to one degree. Surely, depending on others, and being aware of that dependence, isn’t a bad thing? True, mutual dependence is a fact of life, and a beautiful one at that. We need community, and our communities need us. We are more fully human when we’re in relationship with others. However, there is a world of difference between mutual dependence, which is the fabric of our society, and codependence. Mutual dependence involves people who are bringing what they have to share with others to meet the needs of others that they can’t fulfil themselves, whether due to capacity or something else. A mechanic and a butcher can depend on each other for things they may not have the time, capacity, or skill to do [...]

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How to Tell If You’re Engaging in Emotional Eating

How to Tell If You’re Engaging in Emotional Eating

Sarah Harris, Kate Motaung2025-10-17T06:31:17+00:00October 17th, 2025|Eating Disorders, Featured, Individual Counseling|

How do you know if you’re doing too much of a thing? One possibility is in what the apostle wrote: “‘I have the right to do anything,’ you say – but not everything is beneficial. ‘I have the right to do anything’ – but I will not be mastered by anything.” (1 Corinthians 6:12-13, NIV). Not everything we can do is beneficial to us, and even when we have the right to do something, when that thing becomes our master instead of our servant, something needs to change. There’s a sense in which we live at an amazing time when it comes to food. You can drive to a grocery store and get spices, fruit, grains, drinks, vegetables, and proteins from across the world, something that people set sail on long voyages for in previous centuries. There’s a glut of cooking shows, tutorials, and masterclasses available to motivate and help you prepare tasty food. All this notwithstanding, our relationship with food can be complex and messy. Food is often a major area of inequality, as some are calorie-deficient while others have a surplus. Food can also play a role that goes beyond sustenance. It can become a source of comfort and a way to deal with difficult emotions and situations. Emotional eating is a struggle that many have, and it can be quite damaging to your well-being. The Deep Connection Between Food and Our Feelings Food isn’t something that just sustains our bodies. We form bonds of fellowship over meals or drinks, and these relationships can last a lifetime. For many, some of their fondest memories are connected with food in one way or another. It could be a gathering like Thanksgiving dinner, a first date, cherished childhood memories at a particular sweet or dessert place, and so on. Food [...]

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