Recently, I was chatting with some friends about our individual experiences in therapy. One of my friends asked me how she could find a Christian counselor who would give her more direction than what she had already tried to address her anxiety, like, “just pray about it” or “read this Bible verse.” She wanted feedback …
Depression
Why Emotions Matter
I recently listened to Dr. Curt Thompson’s podcast, “NeuroFaith,” where he interviewed Jon and Tristen Collins about their new book called, “Why Emotions Matter.” Jon shared his experience growing up in the church, where he learned that emotions are more of a liability than an asset. I resonated with this, as it touched on parts …
Fear is a Liar?
There’s a song on Christian radio right now called “Fear is a Liar.” I’ve heard this phrase used in other Christian contexts before, and if you’re a millennial like me, you may remember those popular t-shirts and binder stickers in middle school emblazoned with the slogan, “NO FEAR.” Whenever I hear this phrase from Christians, …
Rethinking Fear and Faith
In conversations with loved ones and clients about their anxiety, I’ve often heard some variation of the phrase: “I know I just need to the Lord with this.” And I never quite know how to respond. On the one hand, yes, we are called to trust the Lord and on the other hand, I know …
Imposter Syndrome
Not a day passes without me looking at my children—at least once—and thinking, “How am I a mom?” Obviously, I know how I’m a mom, but I am often flabbergasted by the enormous task I’ve been given of raising two small humans. From what I’ve heard from other moms, I think it’s pretty common to be told …
Book Review: On Getting Out of Bed
“On Getting Out of Bed: The Burden & Gift of Living”by Alan Noble Wow. This was a favorite read of mine this year. I just finished it for the second time. Isn’t it a beautiful cover?! Don’t let the brevity of the book (104 pages) fool you – this book is full of life-changing, inspiring …
Freedom
Happy September! I feel like it was just yesterday that I was planning and writing about the content I’d be sharing this year, and now here we are, wrapping up the last quarter of the year! I’ve been brainstorming content I’d like to share with you all in 2020, and I’m excited about what’s in …
Emotions as Teachers
Emotions have not always been thought of in the most positive light. I’m sure most (if not all) of us can think back to a time when we experienced an emotion, be it positive or negative, and we were told to “tone it down,” “get over it,” or given some kind of nonverbal indicator that …
Get Off the Struggle Bus
“You want me to accept what?!” Sometimes when I talk with clients about allowing their difficult emotions to exist inside of them, instead of offering some “prescription” or intervention for making them disappear, I notice I get one of two reactions: 1) my clients look at me like I have two heads (and may be thinking about …
The Benefits of Self-Reflection
A few years ago, I had a profound experience of crashing and burning. I had been working for a non-profit counseling agency, doing in-home family therapy. I had loved my job for most of my time working there; I loved my co-workers and I believed in the work I was doing. About two years into …