Individual Counseling Archives | Plano Christian Counseling

What Does OCD Mean? A Christian Counselor Defines and Simplifies

What Does OCD Mean? A Christian Counselor Defines and Simplifies

Rhonda Gist, Kate Motaung2026-06-12T05:35:45+00:00June 12th, 2026|Featured, Individual Counseling, OCD|

The term OCD is often used to describe someone who is extreme in areas such as cleaning or organization, or is detail-oriented and particular. It is sometimes seen as a joke, however obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is misunderstood. What does OCD mean? Obsessive-compulsive disorder is not simply being neat, organized, or overly meticulous. It is a serious mental health condition that significantly impacts a person’s life by interfering with daily activities or healthy thought processes. There are two aspects of obsessive-compulsive disorder: the first is obsessive thinking, and the second is compulsive behaviors. Obsessive thinking is an unhealthy thought process in which a person’s thoughts get stuck on a certain idea, and they are unable to redirect their thoughts. These thoughts are often intrusive and overwhelming. The compulsive part of OCD describes the behaviors that a person feels driven to do, often without logical reasons; however, the desire to do these behaviors is hard to avoid and dismiss. In mental health, for something to be considered a disorder, it must interfere with a person’s life, including relationships. ability to work, take proper care of themselves, or others. Obsessive thinking is characterized by unwanted intrusive thoughts, and the person has extreme difficulty not focusing on these thoughts, and the compulsive behaviors are often driven by the obsessive thinking. Compulsive behaviors are often repetitive behaviors and may be illogical and unproductive. Having obsessive-compulsive disorder not only interferes with a person’s day-to-day life, but it can also impact a person’s self-esteem, as they may feel that they have a character weakness that prevents them from being able to overcome obsessive thoughts or compulsive behaviors. However, when in fact the condition is a mental disorder and not a character flaw or a personality weakness. A person with OCD often realizes that their thoughts and [...]

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Should Christians Trust Eye Movement Therapy and Other Modern Healing Methods?

Should Christians Trust Eye Movement Therapy and Other Modern Healing Methods?

Ashlynn Barnette, Kate Motaung2026-06-06T05:25:28+00:00June 8th, 2026|Featured, Individual Counseling, Trauma|

For many Christians, emotional healing is deeply personal. It’s shaped by prayer, scripture, community, and a desire to honor God in every part of life, including mental health. When new types of therapy come along, especially ones that seem unfamiliar or different from what we’re used to, it makes sense to have some questions. Is this something I should try? Is it safe? And more importantly, does this line up with my faith? One approach more people are hearing about these days is eye movement therapy, also called EMDR or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It’s used to help people work through trauma, anxiety, and other emotional pain. If you’re a Christian who’s never heard of it before, or if you’ve been warned against anything that sounds non-traditional, you may feel unsure. This article is here to help you look at what eye movement therapy really is, what it’s not, and how Christians can approach new healing methods while still keeping God at the center. What is eye movement therapy? Eye movement therapy isn’t a spiritual trick or mystical practice. It’s a structured form of therapy developed in the late 1980s by a psychologist named Francine Shapiro. The basic idea is that when someone goes through something painful, the brain doesn’t always process the experience in a healthy way. This therapy technique uses simple things like guided eye movements or light tapping to help the brain reprocess those memories. During a session, a trained therapist will guide someone as they recall a difficult memory. At the same time, the therapist will use these movements or sounds to help keep the brain focused and calm. Over time, the memory usually feels less intense, and the person begins to feel more at peace. There’s no hypnosis. No spiritual rituals. No manipulation [...]

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5 Tips for Anxiety in Teens

5 Tips for Anxiety in Teens

Sarah Harris, Kate Motaung2026-06-04T07:04:54+00:00June 4th, 2026|Anxiety, Christian Counseling For Teens, Featured, Individual Counseling|

Anxiety can be a difficult battle for many teens, but it seems to plague girls a little more frequently than boys. Still, the symptoms of generalized anxiety disorders, panic disorders, and social anxiety can severely impact a teenager’s life regardless of gender. Here are five tips to help the teen in your life cope. Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Teens Studies show an increased experience of GAD in girls than in boys, specifically as they reach high school age and into college. This may be due to a variety of factors, but treatments for Generalized Anxiety Disorder are the same for both genders. The Mayo Clinic characterizes generalized anxiety disorder as “excessive, ongoing anxiety and worry that are difficult to control and interfere with day-to-day activities.” If you notice in your teen daughter or son a pattern of worry that doesn’t decrease after a specific event happens, it may be time to explore counseling. Counseling is one of the best treatment options for all types of anxiety, whether female or male, teen or adult. The SCARED assessment can help a teen self-evaluate his or her frequency and type of anxiety. It can be comforting to name and discuss the anxiety triggers with a trusted adult. But, used in the care of a trained counselor, this assessment can help pinpoint if Generalized Anxiety Disorder is something your teen daughter or son is dealing with. Whether you have a daughter or a son, pay attention to their signals. If they exhibit these symptoms regularly, you may consider seeing a counselor to talk through Generalized Anxiety Disorder as a possibility. Your son or daughter is frequently negative about situations, picking apart possible pitfalls, dangers, things that can go wrong, and taking a long time to make a decision about something that seems simple [...]

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What Does it Mean to Be Codependent? A Christian Counselor Explains

What Does it Mean to Be Codependent? A Christian Counselor Explains

D. Nicole Ready, Kate Motaung2026-05-30T12:46:39+00:00May 22nd, 2026|Codependency, Featured, Individual Counseling, Relationship Issues|

Who are you? How do you define yourself? Are you introspective, extroverted, self-aware, or a learner? Or do you tend to define yourself based on what you are to other people? We indeed live in tandem with other people. We play important roles in others' lives, such as mother, father, sibling, best friend, teacher, boss, etc. There is nothing wrong with having these roles and excelling at them; however, if you have come to a place where you are not able to see yourself apart from a particular relationship, you may be in danger of crossing the line from healthy relationship into codependence. What is codependency? Think for a moment about the movie The Devil Wears Prada. If you are not familiar with this movie, it is about a young journalist named Andy who lives in New York City and has landed a job at Runway magazine, the top fashion magazine in the world. Andy is not at all interested in fashion, but working for the editor and chief of Runway, Miranda, will allow you to get your foot in the door with about any other publication company in the city. So, for Andy, this is the career opportunity of a lifetime. As she begins her job, Andy stands out for all the wrong reasons and clearly does not fit in. And working for Miranda is the kind of job where you must be all in. So, you see Andy adapt and change through a fashion makeover, becoming committed 24 hours a day to Miranda, attending Paris week, betraying a coworker, and failing at every other relationship in her life. In the second half of the movie, you see Andy’s personal life fall apart. At one time, her boyfriend lets his frustrations toward the commitment that she has to [...]

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Physical Indicators of Anxiety and Holisitic Treatment to Alleviate Symptoms

Physical Indicators of Anxiety and Holisitic Treatment to Alleviate Symptoms

Jeanetta Henderson, Kate Motaung2026-05-30T12:51:14+00:00May 20th, 2026|Anxiety, Featured, Individual Counseling|

One of the most common concerns addressed in therapy is that of “anxiety.” Most of us do not have to get far into our daily routine without having to manage anxious emotional events. For instance, let’s follow a working mother through her morning with a first grader. Get the child up and dressed; make breakfast and pack the lunch; get in the car without forgetting something; drive to school and get through the carpool lane; back out in traffic and drive to work. Any one of those details could produce anxiety, small or great, but a working parent begins the day like this regularly. Merriam-Webster defines anxiety as “apprehensive uneasiness or nervousness usually over an impending or anticipated misfortune.” That definition implies unusual or out-of-the-ordinary events, but honestly, we are living in an era that I would label “anxiety-producing.” Social Concerns for Youth Stories abound of children leaving private schools due to social isolation or being bullied because of exclusive friend groups, or of unruly students who are disruptive and make it almost impossible for a teacher to maintain classroom management, all while dealing with parents who are not seeing to their children completing and turning in homework assignments, but expecting teachers to discipline and educate their children. Another disturbing trend, especially in middle and high schools, is the continued rise of cyberbullying among high school students for a wide variety of reasons. What can a parent do to help their child? Have a home environment where your child is allowed to express their frustrations without judgment. This includes not being concerned about the words they use but what they are really communicating. Children do well when they are able to tell their parents anything that is going on in their lives. One suggestion is to have a time [...]

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4 Signs of Infidelity: How to Detect Them and What Can Be Done

4 Signs of Infidelity: How to Detect Them and What Can Be Done

Rhonda Gist, Kate Motaung2026-05-30T13:00:04+00:00May 20th, 2026|Couples Counseling, Featured, Individual Counseling, Infidelity and Affairs, Marriage Counseling, Relationship Issues|

Do you feel like you and your spouse have drifted apart? Are you wondering if your spouse is interested in someone else? No matter how long we are married, infidelity is shocking and extremely painful. Knowing the signs of infidelity and understanding how to respond can help you overcome the hurt and restore your marriage. Please note that just because any or all these things might occur, it does not necessarily prove your spouse has been or is being unfaithful. They could just be a warning sign that there is a crack in the foundation of the marriage that needs to be addressed. It’s important to deal with any concerns in an open, loving, and honest manner as soon as possible. Behavioral Changes The first signs of infidelity you might notice are behavioral changes. There may be red flags, such as sudden secrecy with the phone, e-mail, or social media, changing passwords, always keeping the phone face down, or going to the other room to talk on the phone. A new e-mail address or suddenly using a text app or other communication app could indicate your spouse is trying to keep secrets. Other indicators could be changes in routine, such as staying at work late or going on unexplained trips, having new friends who they are not willing to introduce you to, getting involved with a new hobby or activity outside the home, but not including you. Your spouse may start dressing better or paying more attention to appearance, such as working out more, getting a new hairstyle, or purchasing new underwear. They may no longer want to participate in activities that the two of you used to do together. Digital and logistical clues may include things like deleting messages or browsing history, downloading and using new apps, creating [...]

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Social Anxiety Causes and Ways to Gain Control

Social Anxiety Causes and Ways to Gain Control

Bryan Ferguson, Kate Motaung2026-05-12T15:18:19+00:00May 12th, 2026|Anxiety, Featured, Individual Counseling, Relationship Issues|

Social anxiety can keep you stuck. There are numerous opportunities available, yet you have a physical and emotional reaction to taking that first step. Whether it is crowded stores, events, or public speaking, social anxiety can lead to physical and mental issues. Being aware of the causes of social anxiety and strategies for how to gain control will help you experience life and fulfill your purpose and calling. 8 Social Anxiety Causes Social anxiety causes can vary, and not everyone is affected the same way. Two people can grow up in the same environment, and one can develop social anxiety while the other becomes a social butterfly, flitting between groups and events easily. The following is a list of common causes of social anxiety. Bullying Bullying robs an individual of self-esteem and establishes a fear of judgment and rejection. Often, these stem from experiences with bullying during childhood and then follow a child into adulthood. Adults can also face bullying in the workplace or at school from other adults. Harassment may not be physical, but the emotional upheaval can trigger social anxiety. Public Ridicule Many people fear public speaking because they are concerned with how others will perceive them. If they were made fun of by others, laughed at, or set up for public ridicule, they may avoid any social functions. These individuals may try to blend into the background to keep from attracting attention. Public ridicule could have been in the form of the person’s appearance, clothing, smell, status, or past behavior. Growing Up in a Household with Social Anxiety If you lived in a household where a family member suffered from social anxiety, you may be at a higher risk of developing the condition. Perhaps your family member felt fear when the doorbell rang or had panic [...]

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Personal Goals You Can Set and Accomplish for Yourself

Personal Goals You Can Set and Accomplish for Yourself

McCartney Paul, Kate Motaung2026-05-16T07:18:03+00:00May 7th, 2026|Coaching, Featured, Individual Counseling, Personal Development|

Being able to set goals and get things done helps you achieve the things you want in life. Life can be a long and meandering journey, and you never know where the winds of opportunity will carry you. It’s possible to go through life without pausing to think about what you’re doing and why. Often, however, that results in being dictated to by circumstances and the direction of others who are more intentional. Our lives can unfold in surprising ways, and sometimes we find ourselves in places and circumstances we never dreamed of. Being able to set goals isn’t a substitute for having dreams and being spontaneous. However, it is a way of being more intentional about the resources and opportunities you have. It can help you accomplish a future you desire for yourself. You might be the sort of person who knew what you wanted to be when you were a kid and planned every step of that journey until you accomplished your goal, and that’s generally how you live your life. Or you might be the sort of person who takes things as they come, holding plans loosely. Either way, being able to have and set goals can have its benefits. The Importance of Setting Goals We don’t all approach life in the same way. Some people have a clear path and ideas about what they want to accomplish in life, while others take things as they come, meeting each situation, and then figuring out the next steps. Each approach has its merits, and one can learn from how other people do things. Nonetheless, there are benefits from taking some time to think about what your goals are. When you set goals, it’s one of the ways of setting yourself up for success. The process of setting goals [...]

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The Enneagram and Bipolar Personality Disorder

The Enneagram and Bipolar Personality Disorder

Sarah Harris, Kate Motaung2026-04-28T14:58:39+00:00April 28th, 2026|Bipolar Disorder, Featured, Individual Counseling, Personal Development|

When an individual deals with personality and mental health struggles, it can feel overwhelming. Those who experience the extreme mood changes of bipolar personality disorder often find it helpful to understand basic personality patterns to see how bipolar personality disorder may express itself in different personality types. One tool that helps us understand personality types is the Enneagram. It is a system that helps explain nine personality types and shows what motivates the individuals of those types. Knowing your personality type can help you be mindful of vulnerabilities and also use your strengths. It can be used to help you self-reflect and grow. Some individuals get confused about what their natural personality is and what a mental health issue is. Understanding the differences is key to getting the right treatment and feeling better in the long term. Knowing who they are naturally and how mental health affects them plays an important role in healing and getting better. God desires for us to be whole and healthy, no matter what we face. The Enneagram and Bipolar Personality Disorder Bipolar personality disorder causes individuals to have heightened mood swings, depending on energy levels. They experience mania during high-energy times and depression during low-energy times. These mood swings can cause chaos in relationships and daily life. Many individuals are affected by bipolar personality disorders. The symptoms are unique for each person. Knowing your Enneagram number might help in understanding how your personality types may cope with or specifically exhibit bipolar symptoms. For each Enneagram type, there are specific fears and wants that can combine with bipolar symptoms in different ways. Here are some examples: A type four’s biggest fear is being ordinary. This fear could worsen during sad times. A type eight’s need to be in control could show up differently during [...]

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Coping with Grief: Grieving Loss and Finding Your Way

Coping with Grief: Grieving Loss and Finding Your Way

Ashlynn Barnette, Kate Motaung2026-04-10T05:47:05+00:00April 10th, 2026|Featured, Grief Counseling, Individual Counseling|

Grief is a painful reality we all must reckon with. It’s not an easy thing to lose what matters most to you, especially the people in your life, and it’s understandable why many struggle to cope well with grief. Coping with grief doesn’t mean denying the loss or even minimizing it or explaining it away. Coping is about learning to live with the loss, being able to carry on while bearing the wounds of separation from a loved one. Grief touches every aspect of who we are, and that includes our emotions, thoughts, bodies, and our spiritual lives. Grieving is the natural process of coming to terms with loss, and it is not a sign of weak faith. Jesus wept (John 11:35) at the tomb of His friend Lazarus, a testimony to how much He loved His friend. The sorrow of loss is all too real, but our ultimate hope is in Christ, even in our grief. Grief as Love with Nowhere to Go How do you begin to deal with grief and the sense of loss? For some, the only way they can see to deal with it is to see grief as a problem to be solved. In this way of thinking, the loss is something to get over as quickly as possible and return to doing life much the same as before. This can be a way of denying the loss, and it can have negative effects on one’s well-being. Another way to look at grief is to see it as a way of working through the significant change that has occurred in your relationship with your loved one. Instead of being a problem to solve, grief then becomes a way of working through the loss by evolving the relationship. Your connection to a lost loved [...]

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