By now, many of us have seen Disney's animated movie, Encanto. For many of us, we may or may not have realized how many different mirrors were being held up to us as we watched each family member struggle to maintain the matriarch's projected rules and expectations. We realized that ...

Raising a child with an ongoing illness can pose many challenges for couples, and the family as a whole. Learning to navigate these challenges in a productive manner is essential for maintaining stability within the family unit, not just with the affected child. Parenting under these circumstances can negatively impact ...

The holidays are a time for gathering with friends and family to celebrate a special time of year. It’s a time to escape our hectic lives and reconnect with those we may not see often throughout the year. For many of us that may include caring for aging parents, either ...

Without a doubt, COVID-19 has impacted every person in big ways and small ways, across a variety of situations. For almost 8 months, each individual across the globe has had to adjust aspects of life as we collectively protect ourselves and fight against this virus. Halloween is behind us, which ...

For many, the holiday season was the metaphorical “light at the end of the tunnel” for 2020. Happily, holiday season is officially in full swing; however, it is unfortunately not what was hoped for. The desire to resume some sense of normalcy is strong and the holidays typically signal the ...

What we think affects how we feel.   The information we input has impacts on what we output. In this day and age of a pandemic, racial tension, an upcoming election, and even hurricane news, we are overwhelmed with information from the media.  In counseling, I am hearing clients say more ...

Whether or not you have children or work as a teacher, without a doubt you are privy to the current struggles and challenges related to the rapidly approaching school year. As the mother of four young children, my husband and I have spent a lot of time lately considering our ...

When you think of being in “survival mode,” what comes to mind? Surviving on scraps, you find in the wilderness? Jumping at every sudden noise with a knife in hand?  While these dystopian images may seem not far fetched for some, being in survival mode may encompass far more than ...

I have been a practicing Licensed Professional Counselor for 13 years. I have treated hundreds of men, women, teens, and couples. I have seen many people have great success in therapy, often with life changing results. And yet one of the statements that I frequently hear is “I don’t think ...

I love Jesus. And I also struggle. I am no stranger to fear and worry and anxiety. For years I was told things like “just trust God more” and “worry is a sin” and “you should pray more”.  And yet despite a love for the Lord that resonates to the ...