Articles
Christmas Then and Now
Brenda Spina, M.S., LMFT, LPC
Providing a personal perspective of Christmas as a child and then as an adult allows us to implement the power of our faith during this stressul time of the year.
Shame and Christmas
Brenda Spina, M.S., LMFT, LPC
The word "Christmas" originates from a word that actually means "Christ's festival". Shame inhibits us from being able to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. Five lies shame promotes are identified and discussed.
11 Tips to Help Manage Stress
Christine Vander Wielen, M.S.W., CAPSW
Practical, clear and helpful ideas to keep you focused and positive in the Holiday Season
Transitions and Change: A Tribute to Mr. Fred Rogers
Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT
Changes in life can bring grief, stress, and a longing for the past. Article uses lessons learned from The Mister Rogers Show to show ways to lessen the trauma around transition.
Emotional Healing for Adults Through the Inner Child
Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT
Christ's example of love and attention to children can be a model for adults to reconnect with childhood experiences to restore simple joys, spontaneity, and hope.
Teamwork in Tasks and Ministry
Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT
Article describes seven principles to decrease stress through teamwork and delegation in ministry, family, or work-related tasks.
Marching On
Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT
Article shows how God can encourage and strengthen us when facing fatigue and discouragement in challenging situations.
Stress Management: Young Children Can Teach Us Well
Christine Vander Wielen, M.S.W., CAPSW
Stress management via lessons learned from young children
Emotional Reserve and Family Events
Lynda Savage, M.S., LMFT, LPC
When our personal energy is drained, we are like an empty water jar. Family events and personal challenges will empty our reserves. We must find a way to replenish ourselves. This article gives specific refreshers for the days when we are overwhelmed.
Acute Stress
Lynda Savage, M.S., LMFT, LPC
Acute stress is the initial concentrated exposure to a traumatic event or events. Acute stressors might be a war, being robbed, experiencing excessive cruelty, a natural disaster, viewing human mutilation, etc. What happens to our bodies in acute stress is that the unexpected events put the body in a type of strain. After being exposed to trauma, the sense of feeling safe is hard to regain.
Secondary Stress
Lynda Savage, M.S., LMFT, LPC
Stress does not only affect the person directly in the line of the stressor but also affects those in proximity. This article identifies what secondary stress is and what to do about it.
Replenishing on Busy Days
Lynda Savage, M.S., LMFT, LPC
All of us lose track of doing the basics things we need to do in order to stay "in a good place" physically, emotionally and spiritually. Holiday times and special occasions are times we feel especially stressed. Listed in this article are ways in which we can replenish our spirits as well as our bodies.
Trauma Happens To Competent Healthy People
Lynda Savage, M.S., LMFT, LPC
Trauma causes a reaction in people. That reaction is physical because the brain is signaling the body to do something. This is true with natural disasters like floods and tornadoes as well as fighting or past trauma in relationships. What this feels like and how this affects a marital relationship is discussed in this article as well as the beginnings of what to do.
Using Mindfulness to Keep Relationships Healthy
Whitney Stager, M.S.
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.
Prayers for God's Protection
Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT
Fearful situations can leave us feeling vulnerable. Article outlines a specific format of prayers to use when we need God's protection.
Making Your Way Through Transition
Suzan Myhre, M.S.S.W., LICSW, LPC
This article describes the challenges we face when going through difficult life changes. It also gives a way of navigating through that difficult time.
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.
Broadcasts
Read My Mind #567
Lynda Savage, M.S., LMFT, LPC
The second program in a series of nine, Lynda presents ways in which individuals may improve their speaking and listening skills to make our thoughts clear.
Double Binds: Telling Others #612
Lynda Savage, M.S., LMFT, LPC
The importance of expression of experience and feelings in these situations.
Why Men Pull Away #1 of 4, #2295
Lynda Savage, M.S., LMFT, LPC
The age old discussion of gender differences rises once again. Communication needs differ between the genders and thus we have times when one wants to talk and one does not. Discussed are the possible triggers that are touched in men.
Know Your Enemy: The War We Are In #1 of 3, #3032
Suzan Myhre, M.S.S.W., LICSW, LPC
The battleground of our minds is where we fight our fights! Learn how to identify the strategies the enemy uses to trick you and trap you. AND to fight back with God's help!
Know Your Enemy: The War We Are In #2 of 3, #3033
Suzan Myhre, M.S.S.W., LICSW, LPC
The battleground of our minds is where we fight our fights! Learn to identify the strategies the enemy uses to rick you and trap you. And to fight back with God's help!
Know Your Enemy: The War We Are In #3 of 3, #3034
Suzan Myhre, M.S.S.W., LICSW, LPC
The battleground of our minds is where we fight our fights! Learn how to identify the strategies the enemy uses to trick you and trap you. AND to fight back with God's help?
Merry Chaos-err Christmas, #2160
Lynda Savage, M.S., LMFT, LPC
Christmas is the time when many of us get caught up in the excitement and go into sensory overload. This program offers ways to have less stressful holiday season.
Making Lemonade When Life Gives Lemons #1 of 2, #2074
Lynda Savage, M.S., LMFT, LPC
How are we at handling our lumps in life. What do we do when lemons come our way? Disappointment can destroy our hope. Interpreting events is a major job of adulthood.
Making Lemonade When Life Gives Lemons #2 of 2, #2075
Lynda Savage, M.S., LMFT, LPC
Disappointment can destroy our hope. How are we doing at handling our lumps in life? What can we do when lemons come our way?
Nourishing Thinking #2 of 4, #2092
Lynda Savage, M.S., LMFT, LPC
A conversation is often taking place in one's mind. How to have nourishing thoughts is explored in this program.
Acute Stress Disorders #1 of 3, #2323
Lynda Savage, M.S., LMFT, LPC
There are specific symptoms associated with the experience of a traumatic event. Discussed are the physical and emotional reactions one experiences in the initial phase.
Acute Stress Disorders #2 of 3, #2324
Lynda Savage, M.S., LMFT, LPC
The definitions of stress, trauma and the reactions they can cause in our lives is discussed.
Acute Stress Disorders #3 of 3, #2325
Lynda Savage, M.S., LMFT, LPC
Recovery from acute stress disorders is very possible. The stages of normalization, treatment and long-term recovery concerns are discussed in this final program.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder #3119
Lynda Savage, M.S., LMFT, LPC
This program discusses the responses people experience when faced with traumatic events. Reference is made to hurricane Katrina.
Stress and the Brain #1 of 2, #3209
Lynda Savage, M.S., LMFT, LPC
Ever forget something after a challenge at work or distress at home? We now know that stress effects the brain in humans similar to animal studies done many years ago. Short term memory loss after stress is one effect of stress hormones on the brain. How to be gentle with yourself as you recognize the effects of stress is discussed in these two programs.
Stress and the Brain #2 of 2, #3210
Lynda Savage, M.S., LMFT, LPC
Ever forget something after a challenge at work or distress at home? We now know that stress effects the brain in humans similiar to animal studies done many years ago. Short term memory loss after stress is one effect of stress hormones on the brain. How to be gente with yourself as you recognize the effects of stress is discussed in these two programs.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and the Brain #1 of 3, #3169
Post traumatic stress is not just psychological. This three part series discusses particulars about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder that have been know for some time: memory difficulties, flashbacks, sleep problems, eating problems, Hypersensitivity and so on. Therapists have known that trauma in a person's past psychologically affects a person's present functioning. Recently, discoveries in Affective Neuroscience show by neuro-imaging, brain blood flow, skin response and a host of other tests, give striking credence to what is seen expressed in therapy through the suffering person's experience.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and the Brain #2 of 3, #3170
Lynda Savage, M.S., LMFT, LPC
Post Traumatic Stress is not just psychological. This three part series discusses particulars about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder that have been known for some time: memory difficulties, flashbacks, sleep problems, eating problems, hypersensitivity and so on. Therapists have known that trauma in a person's past psychologically affects a person's present functioning. Recently, discoveries in Affective Neuroscience give striking credence to what is seen expressed in therapy though the suffering person's experience.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and the Brain #3 of 3, #3171
Lynda Savage, M.S., LMFT, LPC
Post Traumatic Stress is not just psychological. This three part series discusses particulars about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder that have been known for some time: memory difficulties, flashbacks, sleep problems, eating problems, hypersensitivity and so on. Therapists have known that trauma in a person's past psychologically affects a person's present functioning. Recently, discoveries in Affective Neuroscience shown by neuro-imaging, brain blood flow, skin response, and a host of other tests, give striking credence to what is seen expressed in therapy through the suffering person's experience.
