• Attachment Therapy: What to Do When Your Kids Get Too Attached to Games and Other Things

    Every parent knows how quickly kids can form deep bonds, not only with people but with pets, toys, video games, or even inanimate objects. It’s easy to notice when your child spends hours gaming or refuses to put down a certain item, but it’s much harder to understand why those attachments feel so strong. Children don’t only bond with parents, friends, or siblings. We’ve seen it all: the child who clings to a favorite blanket, insists on playing the [...]

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

    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 [...]

  • The Unexpected Effects of Trauma in Relationships

    Many of us grew up playing the game of tag, where someone is ”It,” and everyone else must run from them to avoid being tagged. There is usually a safe zone in the game, where the kids can go to rest when they are tired of running. This simple childhood game is also a profound picture of how many of us are running from the effects of trauma. A common experience of people who experienced childhood trauma is believing [...]

  • Seven Ways to Improve Mental Health

    Mental health is more than just preventing mental disorders; it is the well-being of a person. It encompasses the physical, mental, emotional, and social health of an individual. This can also include a person’s spiritual health, as leaning into God and building a relationship with Jesus Christ can build resiliency. There are ways to improve mental health that require creating a few new habits. Ways to Improve Mental Health in McKinney, Texas You can improve your mental health with [...]

  • Physical Indicators of Anxiety and Holisitic Treatment to Alleviate Symptoms

    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 [...]

  • Divorce and Children: Supporting Your Children’s Faith Through Divorce

    Divorce can be a confusing and painful time for everyone involved, but especially for children. Their social life, routine, and relationships can all be upended, but what can be even more derailing is the negative impact it can have on their spiritual life. As their world shifts, the foundations that they once thought were unshakable are suddenly uncertain. They may question whether God is still present amid all the chaos and whether He still loves them. Divorce and Children: [...]

  • Depression in Young People: Factors that Increase Vulnerability

    You’re probably familiar with the stereotypical moody teen. Black hoodie pulled up to conceal their identity and unwashed hair. They slump from bed to kitchen, mumbling something about being tired and hating life as they rummage for last night’s leftovers. This stereotypical depiction of adolescent moodiness gets played out on television and movies all the time. And it may be playing out in your house, too. “Brooding” teens and “moody” young adults are often written off as just going through [...]

  • Social Anxiety Causes and Ways to Gain Control

    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 [...]

  • A Shallow Dive into OCD Identification and Treatment

    Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a chronic condition affecting approximately two percent of the global population. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). OCD is often a long-lasting disorder in which a person has uncontrollable, recurring thoughts (obsessions) and behaviors (compulsions) that he/she feels the urge to perform repeatedly. The Prevalence of OCD The prevalence of OCD worldwide is known through international studies providing intrinsic information-gathering through extensive research. In the United States of [...]

  • The Enneagram and Bipolar Personality Disorder

    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 [...]

  • Recognizing Codependent Behavior in Any Relationship

    Codependency not only occurs in romantic relationships. It is a dynamic that affects many different types of relationships, including professional, parental, and platonic ones. There are many layers to codependent behavior. To recover from codependency, you must expose each one and address their underlying beliefs. This can sound overwhelming. While it is not a simple journey, you are worth the time and effort it takes. You might feel trapped or stuck in an unhappy relationship, but you have what [...]

  • Bullying Prevention in Today’s Hi-Tech Schools

    Bullying can take many forms, especially in today’s schools with access to in-person and online classes, social media, and AI apps. Bullying prevention is necessary to protect the younger generation’s mental, emotional, and physical health. The long-term effects of bullying can be damaging, sabotaging relationships, opportunities, and jobs. Once you are knowledgeable of those effects, you can push for bullying prevention and school reform to address the impact bullying has on students. Although many school districts state they have a [...]