February 2023
From Discovery Through Recovery
There are many circumstances in life in which it is intuitive to determine what actions to take to resolve a problem. Discovering that a trusted life partner is emotionally or sexually involved with another person or that they are involved in a sexually compulsive behavior like pornography use isn’t one of those circumstances. As individuals and couples, we are designed for intimate connections, with life commitment and marriage being the most intimate. I like to explain it using the concept of power. We have in us an inborn, God-given, DNA-structured design and desire to be the most powerful intimate connection
Making Sense of the Senseless
This is a continuation of my blog series titled From Discovery Through Recovery. I will begin with a deeper explanation of the power of connection because, upon discovery, a life partner is typically trying to make sense of a circumstance that seems senseless. As individuals and couples, we are designed for intimate connections, with life commitment and marriage being the most intimate of those connections. I like to explain it using the concept of power. We have in us an inborn, God-given, DNA-structured design and desire to be the most powerful intimate connection in our partners’ life. Discovering that someone
October 2021
The Reality of Chronic Illness: An Invitation to Leave the Mask at Home
By: Kayli Spears, MFT-Intern “You look normal.” “Why don’t you ever want to do anything?” “You are so flakey.” “Why are you always tired?” “Can’t you just take some medicine?” If you are an individual with autoimmune conditions or chronic pain, you will likely find the first few statements all too familiar. God has designed our minds and bodies to have open and intricate lines of communication with one another. When an individual experiences chronic stress, fear, anxiety, or depression, those emotions have the potential to manifest into physical ailments in the body. When autoimmune conditions are present, the mind
September 2021
Caring For the Caretaker: Pouring from an Empty Cup
By: Kayli Spears, LMFT Associate When was the last time you checked in on yourself? Being in the position of taking care of a loved one with an illness, dementia, and other memory-loss diseases, in particular, is a unique space accompanied by responsibility, loss, frustration, setbacks, and victories. The caretaker tends to their loved one hand and foot, but who is there to tend to them? An individual's caretaker position allows them to walk alongside a loved one, receiving the privilege of peering through the darkest corners of their journey along with the cracks of light and progress that make its
September 2020
More Than Healthcare Self-Care
By: Marshall Smith, MFT-Intern "I love my job," "my patients need me," "I should have done a better job," "if I do not take care of my patients who will?" These thoughts are not uncommon in occupations that entail caring for other people, and with the status of the world today, you may be having these thoughts. These thoughts may drive you to work harder, pick up extra shifts, shove down any emotions, and lead you to take a suck-it-up mentality in order to do what needs to be done. As a therapist, I would be lying if I were
Your Story Matters: COVID-19 and Mental Health
By Twanna McKee, MFT-Intern Do you feel overwhelmed or anxious during the COVID-19 pandemic? If so, you are not alone. These feelings are only human and keeping them to yourself only adds unwanted stress and fear. We are living in the progressively uncertain time of a global pandemic; one that, during the approaching months, will undoubtedly see our families and individuals experience higher levels of stress, along with an uptick in depression and anxiety alone. More than ever during this time, we must not forget how this health pandemic presents new barriers such as families being confined in their homes.
