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When Your Teenager is Giving You the Silent Treatment

When Your Teenager is Giving You the Silent Treatment

Kate Motaung2025-01-08T06:06:56+00:00November 26th, 2022|Christian Counseling For Teens, Family Counseling, Featured, Individual Counseling|

Is your teenager giving you the silent treatment? The degree to which your child has stopped talking is really the most important factor in determining whether or not you should be concerned that they might be giving you the silent treatment. Three Examples of the Silent Treatment in Teenagers Let’s look at three possible scenarios: #1 In the past, you and your daughter were considered “best friends.” She once opened up to you about everything, but now all of a sudden, she is avoiding you and only confiding in her other friends about her innermost thoughts. In this scenario, there is not a whole lot that you need to be concerned about. As difficult as it may be, you have to make an effort not to let her decision affect how you feel about yourself. She may simply be going through the natural and healthy process of separating from you and becoming an adult. Here are the steps you can take in this situation: Do not lecture her or express to her how her silence has hurt you. Try to have constructive exchanges with her. Engage her in activities that both of you have found to be enjoyable in the past. Take a seat at the table with her. Don’t try to pry information out of her. Instead, be vulnerable and talk about something funny or interesting that happened to you in your own life. If you let your guard down, she may feel more comfortable doing the same. Talk to her like an adult and with respect, and make it clear that you value her opinions and expect respect in return. Show that you value her opinions and expect respect in return. #2 Your child, who used to be sweet and affectionate toward you, now gives you one-word [...]

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How to Forgive: Tips for True Forgiveness

How to Forgive: Tips for True Forgiveness

Kate Motaung2025-01-08T06:07:07+00:00November 22nd, 2022|Featured, Individual Counseling, Relationship Issues, Spiritual Development|

Who hasn’t been harmed by someone else’s deeds or words? Perhaps you experienced repeated criticism from a parent when you were a child, a coworker sabotaged a project, or your partner had an affair. Or perhaps you’ve gonethrough a terrible event, such as being physically or psychologically assaulted by a family member and have had a difficult time with forgiveness. You may experience lingering sentiments of rage, bitterness, and even vengeance as a result of these traumas. But if you don’t learn to forgive, you can end up paying the price. You can embrace joy, happiness, peace, hope, and thankfulness by practicing forgiveness. Think about how moving toward forgiveness might benefit your physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Describing forgiveness. To each person, forgiveness means something different. However, in most cases, it involves deciding to let go of resentment and thoughts of vengeance. Although the act that injured or offended you might always be with you, forgiving the offender might assist loosen its hold on you and help you break free from its grasp. Even feelings of comprehension, empathy, and compassion for the person who injured you might arise after you have forgiven them. Forgiveness does not entail forgetting or dismissing the hurt that was done to you or reconciling with the offender. You can go on with life more easily when you can forgive. What advantages come from forgiveness? It is possible to experience better health and mental tranquility by letting go of past wrongs and bitterness. What may forgiveness lead to? healthier connections elevated mental state less stress, anxiety, and hostility blood pressure reduction fewer depression symptoms enhanced immunological response better heart health higher self-esteem Why is it so easy to harbor resentment? Anger, anguish, and confusion can result when someone you love, and trust hurts you. Grudges fueled [...]

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Self-Development Through Therapy

Self-Development Through Therapy

Joanna Kucherera2024-09-27T11:49:41+00:00November 16th, 2022|Featured, Individual Counseling, Personal Development|

As we grow and as we experience life, there is a constant need for us to develop ourselves. This need comes from the realization that the world around us is constantly changing and for us to keep up, we must embark on the journey of self-development to keep up. It’s not just the world changing around us that thrusts us into the development of the self but our growth and maturity which bring about new responsibilities that require a different and developed version. The word of God says, “When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.” – 1 Corinthians 13:11, NIV As a way of aiding in the process of self-development, therapy can play a huge role. By definition, therapy is the process by which an individual meets with a therapist to identify and embark on a journey to resolve problematic beliefs, thinking patterns, or relational issues that might be hindering growth. A therapist’s ability to evaluate us and offer an objective look at who we are and what needs to change is important in any journey of self-development. Self-development is an ongoing process that does not end until the day we are no longer on this earth. Granted, starting the journey to self-development can be a daunting proposition, but it can also be a fun adventure because we are challenging ourselves to be the best version of whom we were created to be. How therapy aids self-development People rarely come to therapy for self-development. Most people’s first encounter with therapy is out of a need to overcome emotional, psychological, and mental issues. This, however, is not looked at as self-development. However, if we are honest, [...]

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Using the Psalms to Help You Overcome Anxiety

Using the Psalms to Help You Overcome Anxiety

Kate Motaung2025-01-08T06:07:18+00:00September 3rd, 2022|Anxiety, Featured, Individual Counseling, Spiritual Development|

Anxiety affects millions of Christians each day. Brought on by worry and stress anxiety causes many of us to feel overwhelmed. Finding ways to overcome anxiety without medication can be stressful in itself. Christian counselors can help you overcome anxiety using Scripture. Many verses address anxiety in the Bible. What is anxiety? Anxiety is a common health issue that comes from a feeling of fear or dread. It can cause many physical symptoms and even lead a person to believe they are having heart problems. Anxiety is most commonly a stress reaction. Learning to identify stressors can greatly reduce the amount of anxiety you experience. God gives us the wisdom to overcome anxiety in the Bible. He does this by teaching us how to change our way of thinking. Christian counselors often use secular-based treatment with scripture to battle anxiety Can listening to or reading Scripture help you overcome anxiety? Many Christians who battle anxiety have stated that listening to scripture helps calm them during an anxiety attack. While some have no preference as to what they listen to, others have said that Psalm 91 is one of the best chapters of the Bible to overcome anxiety. There are many scriptures about anxiety in the Bible. While you may not find the word anxiety you can refer to any Scripture that talks about overcoming fear. What is Psalm 91 about? When you are struggling to overcome an anxiety attack you become panicked about your health. This panic only enhances the symptoms of anxiety. Your heart continues to race faster, you feel lightheaded and weak, and you can’t seem to focus. The best thing you can do is to calm your mind and begin to take some deep breaths. Easier said than done in most cases. Psalm 91 is a [...]

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10 Signs of a Toxic Relationship

10 Signs of a Toxic Relationship

Kate Motaung2025-01-17T04:13:14+00:00July 12th, 2022|Couples Counseling, Featured, Individual Counseling, Relationship Issues|

In any relationship, things aren’t always going to be rosy. A few bumps in the road are par for the course because human beings are going to do what humans do. Even in the healthiest of relationships, some struggles and disagreements are to be expected. But these struggles don’t govern, or determine the course of healthy relationships; instead, the people in those relationships can navigate challenges in ways that preserve their dignity and allow the relationship to emerge stronger and with a deeper commitment. Just as there are healthy relationships, there are also relationships that can be labeled “toxic.” What precisely does “toxic” mean? It may be surprising, but toxic relationships aren’t always obviously toxic to the people in them. You may be in a toxic relationship and not know it. Or you might be the toxic partner in your relationship and you’re oblivious to it and how your behaviors are affecting your partner. That makes it even more important to know the signs of a toxic relationship and take steps to address things. A toxic relationship is characterized by behaviors that are emotionally and often physically damaging. One can expect that a healthy relationship will contribute to your sense of well-being, high self-esteem, and emotional energy, while a toxic relationship is damaging to one’s self-esteem and drains your energy. In a toxic relationship, one or both partners aren’t flourishing or thriving. Because relationships come in all shapes and sizes (some are romantic, others are platonic or familial) the following signs of a toxic relationship will differ and present in various ways. If you detect any of the following signs, take them as a cue that you should put some serious work into that relationship. Signs of a Toxic Relationship ‘Here we go again’ It’s the hallmark of healthy relationships [...]

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Bible Verses to Help You Take Every Thought Captive

Bible Verses to Help You Take Every Thought Captive

Kate Motaung2025-01-08T06:07:34+00:00July 6th, 2022|Anxiety, Featured, Individual Counseling, Personal Development, Spiritual Development|

There is a great deal of literature on the subject of positive thinking, and the beneficial outcomes of abolishing negativity in one’s life. These principles make sense, as our minds are powerful, and our thoughts shape the actions we take and the type of people we become. The Bible is not silent on the topic of learning to take every thought captive, and there are numerous references in Scripture that boldly claim that anxiety can be beaten, and a life of peace and joy claimed, through the thoughts we allow into our minds by the grace of God. The best thing about being able to attempt to take every thought captive is that, when we do it prayerfully and ask God for his help, we are changing ourselves in His strength and not through our own efforts. That brings with it a wonderful sense of relief and frees us to enjoy the process rather than lamenting our failings. Here are some verses to help you on your journey toward renewed thinking: We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ. – 2 Corinthians 10:5, ESV The Christian life is based on faith and belief – what we think and know about God through His Word. There is also the very real existence of the devil, who knows how important our thoughts are, and “prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). He works cunningly, going directly to our vulnerabilities and planting lies in our thought life. Think about how many thoughts cross our minds daily, how often these are negative ones, or are lies? Thoughts that we are not valuable or loved, that we are failures because we have not achieved a [...]

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Eight Practical Steps for Overcoming Depression

Eight Practical Steps for Overcoming Depression

Kate Motaung2025-01-08T06:08:10+00:00June 6th, 2022|Depression, Featured, Individual Counseling|

Have you ever wished there was a series of simple actions you could take to help with overcoming depression? Here is a list of ideas for you to consider and experiment with by trying them out separately or at the same time. Feelings of comfort, contentment, happiness, and excitement sometimes feel like they have a lighter quality than feeling low. Not just in the emotional sense but in the physical sense too. When you are feeling down, the negativity tends to grow and push out the space in your life previously occupied by feelings of light-heartedness. 8 Steps for Overcoming Depression One of the ways we can increase our resilience to feeling down is to acknowledge it and take active steps to nourish our emotional, mental, and physical selves by looking for and taking active enjoyment in various activities. 1. Do something you enjoy The word enjoy comes from the Old French word enjoir, this word is a combination of en “make” + joir “joy” and…voila, you have the word “enjoy.” To put it another way, it comes from a word that means “make joy”! To take joy in something is an action, it is something that we all do. It is not something we receive by accident. By taking steps (baby ones to start) to participate in activities you like, you can create joy in your life. This may sound unromantic and formulaic, but it is a practical step in the right direction. 2. Listen to music Listening to music is a well-documented way to improve your mood and help in overcoming depression. It also helps you to become more familiar with positive emotions, and being better able to recognize them will make them easier to focus on and implement to combat feeling down. Even better, playing music with [...]

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4 Ways to Deal with Stress Biblically

4 Ways to Deal with Stress Biblically

Kate Motaung2025-01-08T06:08:21+00:00May 9th, 2022|Featured, Individual Counseling, Personal Development, Professional Development|

Before learning to deal with stress biblically, we must first define "stress." The word “stress” is defined in the dictionary as “a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or demanding circumstances.” Few of us need a definition of the word, as feeling stressed is perhaps one of the most common emotions in our modern society. In fact, it is rare to find someone who does not feel stressed on a regular basis, or at least from time to time. Stress can result from any number of factors – finances, family, relationships, work – any aspect of life that has the potential to not go the way we’ve planned it. The gravity and symptoms of stress vary according to individuals, with a mild sense of feeling flustered on the one end and full-blown panic attacks necessitating medication on the other. 4 Ways to Deal with Stress from a Christian Perspective If we can nip stress in the bud, there is a greater chance of preventing it from spiraling into a damaging mental state that limits our effective functioning. As Christians, it is important and reassuring to recognize that God’s word does not remain silent on our stress, and it gives us some very concrete guidance on ways to deal with stress biblically. Steps to take to open ourselves up to this wisdom include: 1. Admitting to God, and ourselves, that we are stressed Sometimes we get so caught up in busyness and in trying to keep up appearances, that we can bury our stress for a long time. Unfortunately, avoidance is not one of the healthier ways to deal with stress, and it will eventually catch up with us in some way, either through physical sickness or mental burnout and exhaustion. The first important step [...]

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The Best Bible Verses About Grief

The Best Bible Verses About Grief

Kate Motaung2025-01-08T06:08:37+00:00April 25th, 2022|Featured, Grief Counseling, Individual Counseling, Spiritual Development|

Grief is one of the most difficult experiences we must face. The best Bible verses about grief can offer comfort during our seasons of grief. Whether you are grieving the death of a loved one or any other kind of significant loss, these verses can be a great encouragement for you. Meditate on these Bible verses about grief when sadness wells up inside of you. They will help you draw close to God even in your worst pain. And the people of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days. Then the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended. – Deuteronomy 34:8 Grieving takes time. It cannot be rushed. If you try to rush it, you will suffer more. The Israelites grieved Moses for thirty days. That may seem like a long time for a nation to grieve for its leader, but they needed to do this for their own healing. You need to grieve for as long as it takes. Don’t feel bad about taking a long time to grieve your losses. God will be right beside you the whole time, carrying you through your valleys of grief. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. – Psalm 34:18 God takes notice of your broken heart. Whether your heart is broken due to death, breakup, or even the loss of a pet, God wants to draw close to you in your pain. When your suffering is greatest, God is closest to you. If your spirit feels crushed, God can handle that too. He will gently and lovingly save you from your shattered state. Like a caring father, he holds you in the palm of his hand, offering you healing and comfort. Draw close to him to feel his [...]

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Anger in the Bible: Righteous Vs. Unrighteous Anger

Anger in the Bible: Righteous Vs. Unrighteous Anger

Kate Motaung2025-01-08T06:08:49+00:00April 12th, 2022|Anger Issues, Featured, Individual Counseling, Men’s Issues, Women’s Issues|

Listen to this article Are you struggling with anger? You aren’t alone – even people in the Bible struggled with anger. God gives us anger as a warning sign that something is wrong. You can overcome it with God’s help. Your anger may be triggered by current or past hurts. It may be deeply rooted, but there is hope for you. As you study Bible verses that tell you how you can handle anger, you can start the healing process and learn new ways of relating to others. God will help you learn to be more like Him, acting in anger only when it is righteous. What the Bible Says About Anger Verses on anger in Scripture can teach us many things. They not only teach us what to avoid; they teach us what to pursue instead. God makes a clear distinction between righteous and unrighteous anger in his Word. Though God is the only one who can perfectly handle anger, he offers us practical solutions as we learn to apply his Word to our daily lives. You may feel frustrated because you keep becoming angry, even when you have tried different ways to handle it. That’s because anger is often linked to other emotions such as anxiety, stress, fear, impatience, and pride. A Christian counselor can help you handle those related emotions to decrease your anger and increase your peace. Let’s study several Bible verses that deal with anger so we can understand how to overcome it. Righteous Anger in the Bible The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. And making a whip of cords, he drove them all [...]

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