• Have you ever wondered if there were different types of autism? Technically, the answer is no. Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that primarily affects communication and social skills. At one time it was thought to be a pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) consisting of five different subcategories. The American Psychiatric Association (APA), however, came to believe that these diagnostic categories were describing the same symptoms, with varying degrees of severity, under different labels. McKinney Christian Counseling provides guidance and support [...]

  • As a parent, you likely have spent many hours and nights worrying and planning your kid’s sleep. In the newborn days, those hours are often spent praying for more than two consecutive hours of sleep. In the toddler years, those hours may be spent juggling the mental gymnastics of scheduling naps around various other tasks and activities. While both of those seasons are incredibly difficult and exhausting, navigating scary sleep disturbances with your child can be immensely stressful and [...]

  • Some people are comfortable with who they are, especially when it comes to their bodies. When you gaze at yourself in the mirror, do you like what you see? As winter draws to a close and the summer months set in, do you feel comfortable as you shed those heavy coats and snow boots for t-shirts, shorts, and pool/beach wear? If there’s a camera around, do you feel comfortable and confident to have your picture taken? Our bodies are [...]

  • There are some hilarious content creators out there on social media. Humor is deeply subjective, but it can be endlessly fascinating to see TikToks or YouTube clips about babies tasting something like a lemon for the first time. Many find themselves puckering their lips as the first sensations of sourness tantalize their tastebuds, faces screwed up into all manner of expressions. Less hilarious, but no less powerful, is how a person reacts when certain people in their lives are [...]

  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, known as OCD, is a mental health disorder characterized by intrusive and unwanted thoughts, feelings of anxiety or fear, and compulsive behavior. As many as 1.2% of the adult population of the United States suffers from OCD. What is OCD? OCD works in a vicious cycle. An intrusive thought or unwanted thought enters the mind and creates an emotional reaction, typically anxiety or fear. To relieve this fear, the person turns to compulsive behavior. [...]

  • EMDR therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a structured therapeutic technique developed in the late 1980s by American psychologist and educator, Francine Shapiro, Ph.D. It has since become a gold standard, evidence-based modality for treating the symptoms and emotional distress caused by post-traumatic stress disorder or other disturbing life events. EMDR therapy focuses directly on your traumatic memory and on changing the way it is stored in your brain. It does not require that you talk about it [...]

  • Having a baby breaks a woman in a hundred different ways, and when you work on putting yourself back together, you will never be quite the same. Firstly, there are the physical differences from pregnancy. Other changes are hormonal, emotional, mental, and personal. Your perspective on the world will likely shift, and your priorities may adjust. With the help of a supportive partner and community, new moms do not need to process these shifts alone. McKinney Christian Counseling offers [...]

  • Although stress and anxiety have indeed become major issues in this modern age, people throughout history have had to deal with stressful situations. We might not know how to deal with stress, but the Word of God and His promises can be our first port of call in a storm. Read more to discover Bible verses about finding God in stressful situations. McKinney Christian Counseling encourages turning to Scripture for comfort and strength. Bible Verses about Finding God in [...]

  • It is human nature to be easily enticed or confused by the materialistic and fake society we live in. Unless you remember who you are in the sight of the Lord, you may live your life as a mere shadow of your true self. As the world gets increasingly fast-paced, the lines between what is real and what is false, or who is genuine and who is a pretender, have become blurred. It is easy to lose your identity [...]

  • Love it or hate it, work is one of those things that needs doing. Most of us spend a significant portion of our lives working and we do so to earn a living, which allows us to take care of our responsibilities and gives us room to enjoy things like vacations. Work can be enjoyable, but it is also often quite stressful. One of the major sources of stress in people’s lives is their work, and that stress can [...]

  • We all experience feelings of anxiety occasionally; from low levels of stress to sometimes even crushing anxiety. These feelings can vary in intensity and duration and what triggers them will also differ from person to person. For some people, being called upon in class or during a work meeting is terrifying, while for others meeting new people or being in crowds can make them anxious. Therefore, anxiety can ebb and flow depending on circumstances. However, for some individuals, anxiety [...]

  • Self-esteem can be lowered after a traumatic event, the effects of childhood abuse or neglect, or a life event. Your self-esteem can change based on your life experiences and relationships. It is how you view and appreciate yourself. Building self-esteem can take time, but it is well worth it. The Connection Between Self-Esteem and Exercise Consistent exercise boosts mood, confidence, and self-esteem. When we move our bodies as designed, the brain releases hormones and chemicals that leave us happy [...]