Perfectionism is harsh and demanding. However,the Lord does not require it.

Fruit of the Spirit: Tips to Increase Your Daily Servings

Tips on how to incorporate the fruits of the spirit into your daily life to keep you (and your loved ones) healthy and happy.

Changing Our Hearts by Changing Our Minds

We can take the pressure off others to change by focusing on our own issues, because the only person we can really change is ourselves.

Advent Traditions

This article provides many ideas to help you and your family celebrate Advent - with special ways to prepare your hearts and minds for the coming of the Christmas season.

Just Right: A Christmas Memory

A story of a family tradition to warm your heart and a reminder that family traditions help build memories that last a lifetime.

Healing at Christmas

Suzan Myhre, M.S.S.W., LICSW, LPC

This article describes the decisions we all have when entering the holidays. We can choose to stop "the war" in our relationships, to enter a time of peace.

What Happens When We Measure Ourselves With Each Other

Suzan Myhre, M.S.S.W., LICSW, LPC

This article looks at the phrase "It's not fair!" when people measure themselves with others and what the outcome is for the individual and relationship.

The Third Step in the Reconciliation Process

Suzan Myhre, M.S.S.W., LICSW, LPC

This article describes the five steps in the process of reconciliation and focuses in detail on the third step.

Behaviors That Inhibit Clarity in Relationships

Brenda Spina, M.S., LMFT, LPC

Behaviors and thoughts that inhibit relationships

Memories: Our Past, Our Present, and Our Future

Daniel Lange, M.S.W., LCSW

Memories present a consistent history to what yiou decide is true of you

Taking Care of Yourself Over Holidays After a Loss

Lynda Savage, M.S., LMFT, LPC

After the death of a loved one, various holidays are difficult, especially Christmas. Here are specific ideas for moving through any holiday with gentleness toward yourself and your situation.

Mocking In Families

A "Dear Rosa" question and answer regarding the shamed based communication and its impact on family members.

Forgiveness in the New Year

The process of forgiveness, tips on inviting Jesus into the journey of forgiveness, as well as the forgiveness of self and others are discussed in this article.

A Parent's Guide To Minimizing Sibling Rivalry

Christine Vander Wielen, M.S.W., CAPSW

Although sibling rivalry exists in virtually every family, parents can be proactive in helping to minimize sibling rivalry and helping children develop positive life long relationships with their siblings.

Ten Ways to "Train Up A Child"

Lynda Savage, M.S., LMFT, LPC

Parenting is hard. Raising children in today's world is a juggling act for most people when trying to do a good job of applying Godâ€™s word."Ten Waysâ€¦"gives a real map of behavior for parents to follow as they seek to be a good parent. The admonition to "raise up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it" is fleshed out in this article in practical and moment by moment ways.

Using Mindfulness to Keep Relationships Healthy

Insights and tips are provided on how use mindfulness to be attentive to others feelings, as well as your own, in everyday experiences, to help strengthen your relationship.

Respect in Families

Brenda Spina, M.S., LMFT, LPC

There are three foundational principles that make respect in families happen. Following these principles may be challenging but are also an expression of our commitment to following the examples laid before us by the Lord. In part one, respect is defined and a brief look at grandiosity is taken.

Validation is Not Agreement

Suzan Myhre, M.S.S.W., LICSW, LPC

This article describes the difference between validating another person's communication and agreeing with it. Examples are given.

Different Culture, Equal Honor: Viewpoints on Shame

Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT

Family and individual rituals can look different, but are equally valued by God. Article shows how to bring sensitivity and honor to these rituals, when culture or economic and social status are different between people.

Answering Jesus' Call

This article helps the reader make decisions about when it is important to act on Jesus' call and to be open to His timing.

Stay Strong While Raising Strong Willed Children

Christine Vander Wielen, M.S.W., CAPSW

Strong willed children can be amazingly creative, innovative and steadfast while at the same time frustrating and exhausting to parents. This article discusses some tools for parents to use to teach, train and motivate their strong willed child.

This is Your Life: Adolescents Leaving Home

Suzan Myhre, M.S.S.W., LICSW, LPC

This article addresses launching as a transition in family life, and ways one can prepare for it.

Kids in the Wheelbarrow: Cultivating Trust in the Home

Explore your definition of trust, discover what trust means in your home, and begin to cultivate a trusting environment.

Mealtime Tips - Make it Happen!

Provides practical information you can use today to make mealtime a priority and to help your family enjoy mealtimes.

HAPPY KIDS, PEACEFUL PARENTS

Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT

Nature is filled with the very nature of God Himself. Article explains how God can use His creation for uniting families through opening up communication, and simple enjoyment of one another.

Gifts of the Heart: Ideas for Giving at Christmas

Suzan Myhre, M.S.S.W., LICSW, LPC

This article addresses how families can be creative about giving during times of economic shortages.

Christmas and Family Attachment

Lynda Savage, M.S., LMFT, LPC

Some children find attachment difficult. Adopted children may have an especially hard time attaching to parents and siblings. Christmas is a time when small steps may be taken to promote a sense of belonging and attachment. A description of this situation is provided here along with ideas to begin to promote attachment in families at Christmas time.

When A Father Dies - Preparing For The Holidays

Brenda Spina, M.S., LMFT, LPC

The death of a family member creates a kind of stress that one does not understand until they experience the loss themselves. Add the holidays to this and the multiple levels of grief increase. There are a few basic truths that become real in the face of such a loss around the holidays. This article, written to encourage as well as remind us of these truths, utilizes the author's own personal experience to bring the reality of what it means to celebrate living in the face of grief.

Let There Be Peace in the Home: Helping Children Manage Stress During the Holiday Season

Christine Vander Wielen, M.S.W., CAPSW

Children are just as vulnerable to experiencing holiday stress as adults. This article gives parents nine practical tips to help children manage stress associated with the holiday season.

Christmas Shocking

Christmas this year may not happen as you picture it. When things do not go as planned, you may experience Christmas culture shock.

Coping with Change at Christmas

Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT

Change is often difficult for families, but changes during the Christmas season can be especially tough. Article looks at four practical and spiritual ways to manage changes: based on Mary, the mother of Jesus, and her response to the birth of our Savior.

Managing Food Dilemmas During the Holidays

Food holds many meanings and memories for us, especially during the holiday season. This article offers practical tips and suggestions for those with food allergies or special diets.

Facing the Holidays Together

Brenda Spina, M.S., LMFT, LPC

Each year numerous couples and families struggle to keep pace with the expectations placed upon them from various sources. Keeping extended family, friends, and each other happy requires great skill around negotiation, self-awareness, and the provision of flexibility. This article outlines several guidelines to be aware of as the festivities are rushing in to eat up your time and energy.

You Don't Need (Much) Money for Fun!

Ten fun and free or low-cost ideas to beat cabin fever.

MONEY THROUGH THE AGES: Changing Our Generational Views

Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT

Our generational family history can influence our current views on money for ourselves and for our families. This article describes six signs of generational financial bondage, and three ways to step into new Biblical, healthy perspectives on money management.

Turning Financial Stress into an Opportunity for Growth and Attachment in Marriage

Christine Vander Wielen, M.S.W., CAPSW

Many couples experience financial stress at some point in their marriage. However uncomfortable that stress may be, it can also be an opportunity for growth and attachment in marriage. This article gives tips on how to discuss finances with your spouse in a positive way and to develop a team approach to family finances.

Tips for Talking About Finances

Talking about money can lead to conflict, but research shows that having a plan on how to handle disagreements leads to happier marriages. This article provides some useful tips on handling your differences regarding finances.

Entitlement, Money and Families

Suzan Myhre, M.S.S.W., LICSW, LPC

This article describes what entitlement means and how families send messages to their children about money and entitlement.

Women and Money

Brenda Spina, M.S., LMFT, LPC

More and more women are coming into their own sense of money, what it means to them and how to manage their funds. This transition means looking at three basic principles of relationship that impact how we as women think, feel and behave around the issue of money. Brenda writes from her own experience and from countless hours of listening to women who have worked hard to face the underlying concerns they carry about managing money.

Working with Your Child's Temperament

Christine Vander Wielen, M.S.W., CAPSW

This article accompanies Christine Vander Wielen and Lynda Savage's five part radio series "Working with Your Child's Temperament". The nine characteristics of temperament and the rating scale are outlined.

Teens and Media Violence

This article describes how television, video games, and film violence affects teens, how parents can help protect their teens from viewing media violence, and how to discuss media violence with their teens.

I have a WHAT?

As the Nationwide Insurance commercial proclaims, "Life comes at you fast," parents can find themselves quickly thrown into raising a teenager. As you jump into adolescence with your adolescent, take a deep breath, and use these reminders to help with the adolescent journey.

The Push/Pull of Adolescence

Brenda Spina, M.S., LMFT, LPC

Adolescence is often been described as a second toddlerhood. Parents of adolescents often express to me the dichotomy of the behaviors they see (laughing as they share). I know parents don't always laugh but this article takes two underlying dynamics and describes them in the larger scheme of development for teenagers. Take hope! There is more to the picture than you know!

To Rescue or Not, That is the Question

Suzan Myhre, M.S.S.W., LICSW, LPC

This article explores ways in which parents rescue their adolescent children and ways to weigh the decision whether to act on their behalf.

Blended Families and Teens

Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT

Blended families can be challenging for everyone, especially a teenager. Article describes these challenges and ways to help your teen navigate the ups and downs.

What Teens Want Parents to Understand

Christine Vander Wielen, M.S.W., CAPSW

Some teens believe that parents "don't get it" or "just don't understand." Recently, I asked teens to help me understand what it was like to be a teenager. This article reports their comments.

Family Finances: Don't Go Solo

Christine Vander Wielen, M.S.W., CAPSW

Many couples experience financial stress at some point in their marriage. How they communicate that stress to one another is significant. In this article, Christine provides a plan for couples to talk about family finances that builds unity and a team approach.

DRUNK WITH HOPE: God's Help for Addiction and Emotional Wounds

Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT

Emotional wounds can negatively influence relationships which can lead to addictive behaviors. Article explores how to put God’s truth into emotional pain, thus taking the first step in freedom from addiction.

RELATIONSHIPS AND THE BRAIN

Lynda Savage, M.S., LMFT, LPC

Our brain is sending out signals for hormone release in all of our relationships. These hormones are either the "feel-good" kind or they are the fight or flight kind. Therapists at the Center for Family Healing give healthy response training to our clients to bring about the results they would like in their relationships.

Rebuilding After the Storm

August 18, 2005. A record breaking day in the history of Wisconsin with 27 confirmed tornadoes in one twenty-four hour period. In one moment, debris was strewn everywhere and the destruction left behind on that day was well into the millions of dollars. Addiction is destructive, like a tornado, and you are left to deal with the aftermath of a person struggling with addiction. Whether the addiction is food, alcohol, drugs, gambling, or pornography, a trail of wreckage is left behind and rebuilding needs to begin.

Working Hard To Be Liked

Christine Vander Wielen, M.S.W., CAPSW

People pleasers work very hard to be liked and crave love and acceptance from others at the cost of their own identity. The real person can become lost in the daze of perceived expectations. But there is good news.

CHILDREN AND ATTACHMENT WOUNDS, Part One

Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT

Early trauma in a child’s life can result in attachment wounds in your child. Article describes how a specialized family therapy; Family Narrative Attachment Therapy, can help rebuild bonds between parent and child. Especially useful for foster and adoptive children.

ADHD and Homework: It Can Work!

Christine Vander Wielen, M.S.W., CAPSW

Children with ADHD have a tremendous amount of potential. ADHD is not a limitation nor a predictor of school performance. In this article, Christine provides a practical guideline for parents to help make homework time more productive and less stressful.

Family Conflict and the Holidays: God Bless Us, Every One!

Christine Vander Wielen, M.S.W., CAPSW

Christmas is supposed to be a time of great joy and celebration, isn’t it? Yet, many have a relative or two in which there is some tension. When you consider the extra stress of the shopping, wrapping, food preparation, traveling, and stretched finances, it is no wonder that family gatherings can be stressful. This article provides tips to handle the stress of family and the holidays with God’s help.

The Notebook

Suzan Myhre, M.S.S.W., LICSW, LPC

This article explores a ritual families can participate in at Christmas. This ritual is one that helps members of the family affirm one another.

Feeling Crazy - The Effects of Addiction on the Family

Suzan Myhre, M.S.S.W., LICSW, LPC

This article describes the serious and debilitating effects of addiction on the family. Hopes for rehabilitation are addressed.

Suicide Prevention: Making the Connection

Christine Vander Wielen, M.S.W., CAPSW

Suicide is a very complex subject and is usually not about death at all but rather about wanting to stop the pain. The vast majority of the time, those who are thinking about suicide do give verbal and/ or behavioral warning signs particularly in the last week before the attempt. By knowing the warning signs, loved ones can intervene and provide support. This article lists many verbal and behavioral warning signs of suicide and provides questions to ask if you suspect a loved one may be suicidal.

Trauma, Long-term Stress and People

Brenda Spina, M.S., LMFT, LPC

Ever have someone in your life who just seems to challenge every bit of your patience? If so, then this article may be for you. For particular individuals, there are specific responses to repeated trauma that create a personality resistant to change. Included here are suggestions for coping with those who have been so wounded.

WHAT I WISH MORE MEN KNEW

Lynda Savage, M.S., LMFT, LPC

Men often do not know things like how much delight their children take in them. Here a therapist who has seen hundreds of men over the years outlines what she would like men to know. Things such as a woman relating from an accumulation of the days events when a man very often is relating in the here and now. Revelations are made in this article that will encourage men.

Men In Leadership: Brave Acts, Vulnerable Hearts

Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT

Men in leadership roles in today’s society have unique challenges. This article encourages men to fill these roles with courage, vulnerability, identification and empathy.

What Men Wish Women Knew

Brenda Spina, M.S., LMFT, LPC

Interviewing a number of gentlemen, Brenda presents concisely and directly the thoughts and concerns these men expressed regarding the women most important to them. Covering acceptance, purpose, affection, and trust, these men placed themselves in a vulnerable position to help us understand pieces of their experience and commitment to the people they love.

Powerful Dads and Pretty Daughters

Christine Vander Wielen, M.S.W., CAPSW

Dads have a tremendous amount of influence in the lives of their daughters. This article outlines the ways in which Dads make a powerful impact both positively and negatively.

Boys to Men - Normal Developmental Markers

Suzan Myhre, M.S.S.W., LICSW, LPC

This article describes the normal developmental changes boys go through in adolescence from ages 13-15. It identifies the sacred nature of this period and highlights a scripture from Luke where there is an account of the adolescent Jesus.

Honor Widows

Brenda Spina, M.S., LMFT, LPC

Widowhood is one of those transitions that is easily dismissed and greatly misunderstood. As someone who watched her mother work through the varied tasks of this transition, the lack of availability in those around her for her situation was striking. Yet, James exhorts us to care for the orphans and widows as an expression of our pure and faultless expression of faith. The author expresses lessons learned from her own experience of coming along side her mother when facing widowhood.

Moms' To Do List

Christine Vander Wielen, M.S.W., CAPSW

Moms are good at taking care of their loved ones but often do not take time for themselves. This article offers encouragement to moms to care for their needs and discusses ways moms can be proactive by nurturing their minds, bodies and spirits.

Confronting with Respect, #4 of 4, #3381

Brenda Spina, M.S., LMFT, LPC

Confrontation is not always the easiest task for some to manage. The easy way is to blow up, demean, or just plain ignore the person. However, I believe God has much more for each of us to learn about what it means to confront someone and respect them all at the same time. These radio programs outline passages of scripture along with practical helps that aid the listener in moving toward the kind of behavior God has designed for successful relating, even in confrontation.

Christine Vander Wielen, M.S.W., CAPSW

We sometimes think that our spouses do things just to bug us, when it is really how they are hard wired. In this series Christine Vander Wielen and Lynda Savage discuss some of the more common ways that spouses may be hard wired differently.

Children, Teens and Media Violence, #2 of 2, #3333

This two-part program describes how television, video games, and film violence affects children and teens. Therapists Whitney Stager and Lynda Savage discuss how parents can help protect their children and teens from viewing media violence, and how to discuss media violence with them.

Brenda Spina, M.S., LMFT, LPC

Each developmental phase carries with it particular tasks and ways of thinking that provide the groundwork for us to make belief in God easier for children to understand. This three program series focuses in on ways in which we as adults and parents can help a child embrace and integrate a living and simple faith in the love God has for them.

Nurturing Your Child's Relationship With God, #2 of 3, #3303

Brenda Spina, M.S., LMFT, LPC

Each developmental phase carries with it particular tasks and ways of thinking that provide the groundwork for us to make belief in God easier for children to understand. This three program series focuses in on ways in which we as adults and parents can help a child embrace and integrate a living and simple faith in the love God has for them.

Nurturing Your Child's Relationship With God, #1 of 3, #3302

Brenda Spina, M.S., LMFT, LPC

Each developmental phase carries with it particular tasks and ways of thinking that provide the groundwork for us to make belief in God easier for children to understand. This three program series focuses in on ways in which we as adults and parents can help a child embrace and integrate a living and simple faith in the love God has for them.

Mealtime Tips and Helpful Hints, #2 of 2, #3297

Provides practical information you can use today to make mealtime a priority and to help your family enjoy mealtimes.

Comparing two different people to one another is a tenuous choice of behavior. Discussed in this program is the issue of comparison and its effects on relationships.

Feeling Appreciated #570

Lynda Savage, M.S., LMFT, LPC

Giving and receiving in relationships is basic to the relationships foundation. Learning to give without expecting an appreciative response is part of the process of loving as Christ loves. Discussed is how to show appreciation and how it affects relationships.

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