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7 Steps for an Effective Personal Development Plan

, 2025-04-21T12:59:47+00:00March 12th, 2025|Coaching, Featured, Individual Counseling, Personal Development|

How is success achieved? Many of us have ideas and plans that don’t come to fruition. One reason ideas founder is that no plan is generated to put them in motion. If you’re thinking about developing some aspect of your life such as dealing with stress, getting married, or communicating better, it’s important to have a plan of action. Creating a personal development plan is something anyone can do for themselves. As you put your plan together, knowing yourself will play a huge role in the process. There’s no use having goals that don’t appeal to you, and there’s no use in creating a development plan that requires resources you don’t possess and have no way to acquire. In other words, a development plan should be realistic and tailored to your unique needs and situation. Steps in Creating Your Development Plan As you consider steps in your personal development plan, one of the most important things you can do is determine your goals. There’s so much that can get in the way of making things happen that the best chance you have is to pursue a goal that matters to you and one that will make the most difference in your life. Some of the steps to consider in putting your plan together include the following: Choose your goal and write it down Open your favorite note-taking app or take a clean sheet of paper and write down the goals that you’d consider worth pursuing. You can note today’s date and then put down seven to ten goals that you would like to accomplish in the next 12 months. As you write these goals down, write them in the present tense. That gives you a sense of immediacy as well as a clearer view of what matters to you. [...]

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How Your God-Given Internal Cues Can Stop Emotional Eating

, 2025-03-26T12:17:11+00:00March 7th, 2025|Eating Disorders, Featured, Individual Counseling, Weight Loss, Women’s Issues|

Chronic stress, a silent predator, is a key instigator of a range of physical and mental ailments. Unfortunately, it also slyly fuels emotional eating. What happens is that we often turn to food beyond our physical hunger because we’re trying to fill a deep-seated void. God actually created that void in us to fill with Himself. Therefore, we know that food is not the answer. God has gifted us with a sophisticated system that signals when we need to nourish ourselves and when we should refrain from eating. This system helps us to effectively curb emotional eating by recognizing and responding to internal cues. Defining True Hunger The internal cues we possess to indicate hunger are natural and intuitive. Your body releases two hormones, ghrelin and leptin. Ghrelin stimulates the appetite, making your stomach feel empty and often causing it to growl. The growl or empty sensation may subside but return in 10-30 minutes as your body requires fuel. The other hormone, leptin, controls satiety. You experience the sensation of being full when fat cells release leptin, which leads you to stop eating. This hormone is released when it receives the signal from the stomach approaching fullness. Unfortunately, many individuals continue to eat even when they are already full or not hungry, making it difficult to gauge their satiety or control their eating. This can lead to physical discomfort, obesity, digestive problems, and even illness if it becomes a consistent habit. Understanding these potential health risks can be a powerful motivator to change our eating habits. Why We Eat Our Emotions If the empty feeling or stomach growl indicates hunger, why do we eat when not physically hungry? Thoughts and emotions fuel our actions. For example, you have had a stressful day at work. You arrive home, and everyone [...]

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Chronic Alcohol Use: Finding Freedom from Alcohol Dependence

2025-03-06T07:17:47+00:00March 6th, 2025|Chemical Dependency, Featured, Group Counseling, Individual Counseling, Men’s Issues, Women’s Issues|

If you struggle with chronic alcohol use, help is available at Texas Christian Counseling in Rockwall, Texas. You can experience freedom and hope. One set of the sayings in the biblical book of Proverbs reads thus: Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?  Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine. Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper. Your eyes will see strange sights, and your mind will imagine confusing things. You will be like one sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging. “They hit me,” you will say, “but I’m not hurt! They beat me, but I don’t feel it! When will I wake up so I can find another drink?” – Proverbs 23:29-35, NIV While wine may look good to begin with, your use of it may lead to damaging results such as woe, sorrow, strife, complaints, and needless bruises, to name a few. The Bible has a nuanced understanding of how to address the question of alcohol. As with other areas of our lives, one of the things we’re required to do is exercise wisdom in how we handle things like alcohol. One reason for this is that even if it’s good, it’s easy to fall under the influence or mastery of something, and for you to no longer be in control (1 Corinthians 6:12). Alcohol can be a cruel master, affecting your health and every area of your life. What is chronic alcohol use? There’s a difference between taking a little wine, for whatever purpose (1 Timothy [...]

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PTSD Help: Treatment Options for Trauma Recovery

, 2025-02-20T11:18:19+00:00February 20th, 2025|Featured, Individual Counseling, Trauma|

Have you been diagnosed with PTSD and wondered, amid your struggle, whether life will ever feel normal again? The answer is yes. No matter how impossible it may look right now, your life does not have to be forever defined by your trauma. You can access effective PTSD help. With the help of God and a trained mental health professional, you can learn how to reframe your experience, cope with your symptoms in a healthy way, and live a happy, fulfilling life. You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn how to surf. – Jon Kabat-Zinn PTSD Defined PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) is a disruptive mental health disorder brought on in some people by the shock of experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event. Symptoms may include reliving the trauma through flashbacks or nightmares, severe anxiety, or uncontrollable, intrusive thoughts about the event that last long after it has ended. Common Symptoms of PTSD Though everyone’s experience with PTSD is unique, there are some common symptoms most people share. Intrusive memories Frequent intrusive memories that cause you to relive the trauma may manifest as nightmares or flashbacks. These can be upsetting and give rise to panic attacks, disrupted sleep, palpitations, headaches, and digestive disorders, as well as feelings of fear, guilt, shame, or anxiety. Avoidance You try to prevent triggering distressing emotions by avoiding anything that evenly remotely reminds you of the trauma. This could include staying clear of certain places, avoiding people who remind you of an abuser, or even specific sounds or smells. A heightened state of arousal Your body may continue to remain in a state of high alert even if the trauma happened months or years ago, causing you to overreact to everyday occurrences and be easily startled. A veteran, for example, may panic at [...]

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Overcoming Anger and Resentment in Marriage

, 2025-02-13T12:02:05+00:00February 12th, 2025|Anger Issues, Couples Counseling, Featured, Individual Counseling, Marriage Counseling, Relationship Issues|

Resentment is a slow fade. It has the potential to creep into your marriage, drain out the love and leave you feeling bitter and angry toward your spouse. But, did you know that when you approach resentment correctly it can be a catalyst to address key relationship issues and solidify an even stronger marriage? Getting a Clear Understanding of Resentment in Marriage Defined by some dictionaries as a feeling of anger because you have been forced to accept something that you do not like, resentment in marriage happens when there is a buildup of negative feelings between your spouse and yourself. You may feel harmed, ignored, disappointed, deceived, or poorly treated. This feeling is toxic to any relationship, especially as one precious as a marriage, and will, over time, poison the mutual love, trust, and respect necessary for it to be successful. The hurt that you experience because your partner has purposefully or accidentally broken the agreements of your relationship is a broad but effective way to understand why resentment starts to form. Unmet expectations at various levels have an equally corrosive effect. Perhaps it is the manner you are treated, how you thought your marriage would mature, or the characteristics of the life you are building together. The hurt solidifies into disappointment, frustration, and anger toward your spouse. How Resentment in Marriage Starts Off Imagine your marriage relationship as a beautiful, exotic motorcar. Resplendent in design and function. You and your spouse love it and treasure it. While you are both out driving, a loose piece of gravel flicks up and nicks the glass on the windshield. That evening you look at it and see that it has left a chip but not much more. You decide that because he was behind the wheel when it happened, he should [...]

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Practical Coping Tips to Prepare a Single Mom for Childbirth

, 2025-02-07T05:48:19+00:00February 7th, 2025|Featured, Individual Counseling, Women’s Issues|

Gladys was elated when she discovered she was pregnant, and although she was a little scared of the impending childbirth, she’d be okay with the support of her loving partner, Greg. She never gave any thought to the possibility of being a single mom. Greg was her high school sweetheart, and although they were still in their early twenties, she had already envisioned herself spending the rest of her life with him. The pregnancy may have been unplanned and unexpected, but she was nonetheless excited to start a new phase in their relationship. The last thing Gladys expected was for Greg to suddenly turn around and announce that he was leaving her. He decided he didn’t want to be a part of the child’s life. The breakup hit her like a sudden storm, and she suddenly realized she was facing the prospect of childbirth with no partner, and no one close by to lean on. Gladys was raised in a traditional Christian family of generations of solidly married parents and grandparents who stayed married for decades. The concept of facing pregnancy and motherhood alone was foreign to her. Facing childbirth as a single mom was the most daunting challenge she had ever faced, and she realized she had no clue how to walk this path alone. Gladys’s Ray of Hope As sad and dejected as she was, as her belly grew somehow, Gladys knew she had to find the fortitude and tools to face this journey head-on. One thing she knew was that she needed to come out of her pit of sorrow and confide in someone. She hadn’t even told her family any of this. Then she remembered the friendly neighborhood shopkeeper, Emma, who lived just down the road. She remembered that she had lost her husband before [...]

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Dating Advice for Men: 5 Tips for Long-Distance Relationships

2025-02-04T06:00:41+00:00February 4th, 2025|Featured, Men’s Issues, Relationship Issues|

Being in a relationship with someone brings a unique blend of blessings and challenges. These will vary depending on who you’re in the relationship with, the nature of your relationship, and the circumstances you’re in at the moment. At its core, however, relationships (whether short or long-distance relationships) are about two people with a bond who have committed themselves to each other, to love and support each other as well as work through challenges they may face.A long-distance relationship isn’t radically different from other relationships but being apart from the person you care about does bring certain challenges. Likewise, though, it also offers opportunities that may strengthen the relationship. A long-distance relationship has every chance of being as rich and fulfilling as any other kind of relationship, but it’s wise to know what you’re getting yourself into.Long-Distance Relationships and YouPeople come into a long-distance relationship in different ways. Some couples are in an in-person relationship for a while before circumstances shift, and one or both parties change locations while deciding to stay together. It could be a change for college, work, to take care of family, or for other reasons. The change could be for a short or long season, or the relationship may be periodically long-distance, like service members who deploy to duty.Other relationships start their life as a long-distance relationship. Sometimes this carries the anxiety of what it will be like to meet and interact in person, or if it’s an elaborate online scam after all. However your relationship began, there are some things to consider, including ways to make a long-distance relationship work.Making Long-Distance Relationships WorkLong-distance relationships will have their blessings, quirks, and challenges. Some things to consider as you go into such a relationship include:Do you do well with distance?Likely the most obvious thing to consider [...]

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Healthy Parenting Tips to Help You Raise Your Kid Well

, 2025-01-25T04:02:17+00:00January 27th, 2025|Family Counseling, Featured, Individual Counseling|

Having kids can be a beautiful challenge to take on. To be honest, it can be overwhelming, too. Being able to turn to others for wisdom can indeed be helpful, but you need to make sure that whatever wisdom you receive makes sense, really works, and fits in with who you are and what you desire for your children. Sometimes you can try things out, but if they aren’t working out, it’s okay to take a step back and try something new. Below are a few healthy parenting tips that you can try out to help you raise your kids well. You may be facing various or specific challenges with your kids, and that can affect the kind of help you need. Sometimes, making simple tweaks to what you’re already doing will do the trick; at other times, you’ll need a whole new approach. At other times, it may be prudent to seek professional help. Parenting Tips to Help You on the Way You know your kids better than anyone else, and one helpful pointer as you think about your parenting is to learn to trust your instincts more. Of course, our instincts need to get sharpened, and it always helps to be informed, but trust that the Lord gave you those kids for a reason. Yes, you’ll make mistakes as a parent, but you can learn from them and grow in your ability to parent well. Here are some healthy parenting tips you can implement to raise your kids well: Leading by example Parents sometimes fall into the trap of wanting their kids to do what they say, and not to imitate what they do. The reality is that kids learn by imitation, and so they will often pattern themselves after you and what they see you do. [...]

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Frequently Asked Questions About Mental Health Coaching

2025-01-22T05:57:40+00:00January 22nd, 2025|Coaching, Featured, Personal Development, Professional Development, Spiritual Development|

Mental health coaching is carried out by mental health coaches who are trained wellness professionals specializing in non-clinical mental health issues. They are dedicated to encouraging positive change that can help you achieve your self-determined well-being goals. Although mental health coaches are not qualified to do everything that licensed therapists do, they can help you develop greater self-awareness, clarify goals, manage your emotions, improve communication and relationship skills, challenge negative thinking patterns, reduce stress and anxiety, change the way you approach problems, and come up with strategies that use your unique strengths and talents to achieve personal objectives. What is the difference between a mental health coach and a therapist? Key differences between mental health coaches and therapists include: Credentials Mental health coaches are not qualified to diagnose mental health disorders or treat complex clinical problems such as depression or trauma-related issues. On the other hand, therapists have at minimum a Masters degree in their field and are licensed to do both. Hierarchy Mental health coaching involves a collaborative relationship in which you and your coach are equals. Conversely, therapy is like a doctor/patient relationship, in which you are consulting a specialist for treatment of your issue. Areas addressed: Therapists diagnose and treat complex mental health disorders such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or bipolar disorder. Mental health coaches, on the other hand, focus on helping you create positive changes in your life and improve your overall well-being through building healthy habits, addressing challenges in more effective ways, managing stress, and improving relationships and communication. Areas of focus Therapists dig into the past to help you understand and address what is at the root of your current challenges and bring about healing in the present. Mental health coaches focus on the present and what you want to accomplish [...]

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Art Therapy for OCD Help

2025-01-13T10:28:28+00:00January 13th, 2025|Featured, Individual Counseling, OCD|

God’s creativity is evident in every aspect of our natural world. So, it’s no wonder that the creativity He instilled in us, His creation, can also be harnessed for healing. Art therapy taps into our God-given creativity, offering us a way to express our emotions and thoughts that might be too difficult to articulate through words alone. For those with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), using painting, drawing, or sculpture to visually represent and manage intrusive thoughts and compulsions can transform anxiety into something beautiful. What is art therapy? Art therapy might sound like something out of a fictional story where crayons cure all, but there’s a lot of science behind the concept. For those grappling with OCD, integrating art therapy can be both a creative outlet and a powerful therapeutic tool where compulsions turn into colorful creations. Therapeutically, art therapy complements traditional OCD treatments like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). By incorporating creative expression, individuals can explore and challenge their fears in a non-threatening way. Tips for Incorporating Art Therapy into OCD Treatment Use art therapy alongside CBT and ERP. Discuss your artistic creations with your therapist to integrate them into your broader treatment plan. Here are some ideas on how to get started. Start simple Begin with basic materials such as pencils and paper. Even simple sketches can be therapeutic and help you express complex emotions. Find a safe space Choose a quiet and comfortable place to create your art. This allows you to silence your inner critic and focus more on the process than on perfection. Create regularly Set aside time each week for art therapy. Consistency helps reinforce the therapeutic benefits and provides a regular outlet for expression. Use art as a reflection tool After creating, reflect on what the art represents [...]

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