Bryan Ferguson : AuthorI believe that every person is immeasurably valuable, unique, and made in the image of God. Sometimes having a compassionate therapist who will create a safe, nonjudgmental space for you to share your emotional burdens can be the greatest catalyst for personal change and growth. I am committed to giving my clients 100% of my attention, energy, and effort, because you are loved, valued, and important to God, and to me as a therapist. I am also supervised by an extremely compassionate and gifted therapist, Dr. Marshia Allen, PsyD, LPC-S, who has over 15 years of experience in the mental health field and consults with me weekly on my present clients. Taking the first step of reaching out to a counselor can seem like the most difficult, but it may also be the decision that leads to life-changing growth, healing, and discovery.
You’ve probably seen them on TV. Those couples who fight all the time, complain about each other in their social circles, or who seem to have this weird co-dependency where they aren’t happy when they’re together, but they also can’t stay away from each other. Maybe the toxic couple that came to mind when you read the title of this article is you and your partner. Toxic couples display a recurring pattern of emotionally damaging behaviors. They disrespect each [...]
Enneagram personality types are part of a model of human personality typing designed to help people understand their own behaviors and motivations. It also helps them understand those of others. It addresses underlying motivations and core fears that drive behaviors. This model consists of nine interconnected personality types, each represented by a number from 1-9. Each type has its own set of core traits, motivations, fears, and desires that determine and influence how a person perceives the world, interacts [...]
Anxiety can be a difficult battle for many teens, but it seems to plague girls a little more frequently than boys. Still, the symptoms of generalized anxiety disorders, panic disorders, and social anxiety can severely impact a teenager’s life regardless of gender. Here are five tips to help the teen in your life cope. Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Teens Studies show an increased experience of GAD in girls than in boys, specifically as they reach high school age and [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 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: [...]
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 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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
