Kate Motaung, Author at Longview Christian Counseling

The Greatest Love of All: Jesus’ Blueprint for Relationships

The Greatest Love of All: Jesus’ Blueprint for Relationships

Kate Motaung2024-12-27T11:41:47+00:00December 27th, 2024|Featured, Personal Development, Relationship Issues, Spiritual Development|

Much emphasis is placed on Biblical teaching about loving God and people, and rightly so. It is the pinnacle of the Christian faith by which others will know the believers who make up the Body of Christ (John 13:35). Furthermore, the love that we demonstrate will cause others to know God Himself. It is love alone, not fear or shame, that draws people to Jesus. In being magnetized to His lovingkindness, we find that Love is the most radical force we could ever encounter. God Himself is Love. By Him, everything visible has materialized by His spoken Word from the realm of the unseen (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16-17). The Love of God sparks and sustains relationships, underscoring our connection with others. Love is the foundation that builds community, as Jesus illustrated by engaging those who followed Him and believed. We who abide in Him learn to live sacrificially, sharpening one another, offering strength and support to live in vibrant interdependence as one diversified Body. Less than a half-century ago, an older song rebounded from obscurity, climbing its way into a hit popularized by a budding pop sensation.[1] In the remake, the songstress ascended the music charts, belting with boldness that, “learning to love yourself is the greatest love of all.” Jesus was the first to highlight the connection between loving God, ourselves, and our neighbors (Matthew 22:36-40). Long before these lyrics were set to music, Jesus knew that we would need to have a sense of how loved we are by God. We need this encouragement to follow His divine example to love and serve, even to the point of sacrifice. This song intersects with Scripture, illustrating how the Father’s Love activated in us allows us to respond to God, to serve Him and others well. Greater love has [...]

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Goals and Benefits of Anger Management Counseling

Goals and Benefits of Anger Management Counseling

Kate Motaung2024-12-20T11:43:23+00:00November 9th, 2024|Anger Issues, Coaching, Featured, Individual Counseling|

We’ve all had those moments when our emotions have gotten the better of us. Usually, it’s when we’re feeling tired, hungry, haven’t slept well, or are under enormous pressure from work, finances, or relationship issues. In that moment, we can yield to what we’re feeling, whether it’s anger, resentment, sadness, or glee. For better or worse, we find ourselves thinking, acting, or saying something we shouldn’t, with all its consequences. We could use better anger management counseling. One powerful emotion that is often associated with negative actions and consequences is anger. Anger comes in different guises, and it has varying levels of intensity. A person can be mildly annoyed or irritated, or they can find themselves in a boiling rage. Whatever level of anger one is feeling, it can manifest and get expressed in different ways, with some of these being problematic. For the person who wrestles with anger, the good news is that there is effective help available through self-help techniques as well as the deeper work that anger management counseling yields. Is anger the problem? There are some emotions we readily consider or categorize as negative or unhealthy. These include anger and sadness. The issue, however, isn’t the emotions, but the circumstances in which they arise. We get angry in certain moments because someone has thwarted us, or because we feel threatened in some way. Sadness often follows on the heels of loss, and so the emotions themselves can start to seem unwelcome. Our emotions are an important part of our makeup, and they perform the much-needed function of alerting us to what’s going on inside of us. Thinking of your emotions as unhealthy or negative (and thus to be avoided) is about as helpful as taping over your “check engine” light or the fuel gauge in your [...]

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Counseling for Men: Finding Help When You Need It

Counseling for Men: Finding Help When You Need It

Kate Motaung2024-11-07T13:03:32+00:00October 8th, 2024|Featured, Individual Counseling, Men’s Issues|

While the world that we live in is full of splendor and beauty, it’s also true that there is brokenness and a lot that isn’t right. We find that we aren’t at rest or peace. Through our work or accomplishments, we strive to feel accepted, worthy, secure, seen, and heard. When success comes, we find ourselves feeling a fleeting sense of rest, then we start all over again. In this context, counseling for men can be helpful. The apostle was right when he wrote that the creation is groaning, and even those who hope in Jesus are also groaning inwardly as they await the renewal of all things (Romans 8:22-25). There’s help available to us when we need it. Having others to walk with makes the journey easier, whether we are celebrating the joys of life or mourning the tragedies and hardships that mark our lives. Counseling is one of the forms of help that’s available. Counseling for men: Some challenges and opportunities Men struggle with a wide range of issues and concerns. Millions of men struggle with anxiety disorders, depression, relationship issues, anger management issues, fear of abandonment, and much more. These affect how a man thinks about himself and others, and how he acts in everyday life. These concerns can affect a man’s ability to flourish and have a healthy, well-balanced life. One of the challenges that men face is that they are socialized to be self-sufficient and to learn how to handle problems on their own. There’s often a stigma attached to a man not being able to handle things on his own. Many of the role models and heroes that the culture puts forward for men to emulate are the types who take care of their business by themselves. The hardened warrior, the cowboy, or [...]

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How to Advocate for Your Child’s Needs in School

How to Advocate for Your Child’s Needs in School

Kate Motaung2024-11-27T12:54:28+00:00August 16th, 2024|Christian Counseling for Children, Christian Counseling For Teens, Family Counseling, Featured|

Parents and guardians play a crucial role in ensuring the success of their child, in life, and specifically, in school. If you have a child with a learning disability, psychiatric difficulty, or history of trauma, they may benefit from extra assistance at school, and you will need to advocate for your child's needs. As knowledge and awareness about children’s mental health increases, schools are improving at meeting the needs of these students, integrating and facilitating the best learning experience for them. However, parents may need to advocate for their child. What falls under the disability umbrella? Learning disabilities vary and can also be impacted by other conditions such as ADHD, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. Children on the autism spectrum may have high intelligence in one area but struggle in others. This list outlines some of the more common learning disabilities. Dyslexia A learning disability that makes reading and decoding what was read difficult. Dyscalculia A learning disability that makes understanding numbers and math difficult. Dysgraphia A neurological condition that makes it difficult to write. Dyspraxia A neurological condition that affects fine and gross motor skills. Dysphasia/Aphasia A condition that makes speech and language difficult. Auditory processing disorder A condition that makes it difficult to hear differences in sounds. Visual processing disorder A condition in which the brain has difficulty interpreting visual information. Figuring out your child’s struggles so you can advocate for your child's needs may take time, requiring testing and a diagnosis by a speech or occupational therapist. You may need a referral from your child’s pediatrician to get a diagnosis. Once you have it, though, it will be easier to start the process of getting an IEP or 504 plan. What is an IEP and a 504 plan? A 504 plan is a list of [...]

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Why Nighttime Anxiety Feels Worse Than Daylight Anxiety

Why Nighttime Anxiety Feels Worse Than Daylight Anxiety

Kate Motaung2024-11-27T12:54:41+00:00July 15th, 2024|Anxiety, Featured, Individual Counseling|

If you have struggled with anxiety at all, you understand some of its symptoms. A racing heartbeat, thoughts that spiral or speed up, and fear of the unknown. All can feel weighty and overwhelming. But why does nighttime anxiety tend to feel worse than during the day? Definition According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5), anxiety is worry or “apprehensive expectation” that occurs over six or more months and is more present than not. It can also occur in such a way that it interrupts a person’s ability to function well in daily life. We all worry from time to time. You may worry about whether your employer will give you a raise next year, or you might worry when your son starts driving on his own. Anxiety is pervasive and anxiety disorder has several tenets that can look different depending on what type of anxiety it is and on the person who is challenged by it. Nighttime anxiety Nighttime anxiety can feel worse because that is often when our surroundings quiet down, our thoughts seem louder, and the daytime distractions are at rest. Some people’s nighttime anxiety keeps them from sufficient sleep. This is known as sleep anxiety. Sleep anxiety can contribute to more nighttime anxiety if a person is apprehensive about not sleeping. Unfortunately, the thoughts can spiral and make sleeping even more difficult because of these fearful thoughts. However, nighttime anxiety does not have to have the final say. One of the major contributors to nighttime anxiety is an overworked adrenal system that’s been plagued by daytime stress. Particularly if you struggle to sleep at night because of your anxiety, it’s an indicator that your stress levels are too high. The natural rhythms of your sleep cycle get disrupted by anxious thoughts. The cycle repeats itself. [...]

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How to Communicate Better with Teens

How to Communicate Better with Teens

Kate Motaung2024-11-27T12:54:53+00:00June 12th, 2024|Christian Counseling For Teens, Family Counseling, Featured, Individual Counseling|

Teens can be tricky to communicate with at the best of times, especially when they are putting up walls and determining their boundaries. They need the space to find their identity and gain independence, but they also need support, love, and assurance from their parents, even if they can’t express that need. How do we communicate better and connect with our teens when it feels like so much space has come between us? Teenage needs Many teenagers focus on winning approval from peers and determining their values individually and independently from family expectations. This could mean that they start taking part in risky behaviors, which might include things like becoming sexually active and trying substances for the first time. Many parents fear losing control of their kids in this way and naturally worry about their teens’ future. To regain control, they might resort to lecturing, warning, grounding, and other disciplinary measures. Unfortunately, disciplinary measures like this tend to create more distance between teens and parents, leaving the teens in a more vulnerable state than before. Teens want to be seen as mature even when they don’t behave that way. They want their preferences paid attention to and their voices heard. They need someone who will try to understand them, from a place of curiosity and non-judgment. This can be a challenge for controlling parents who believe they are privileged to every bit of information regarding their kids. The truth is, as teens begin to age, things like privacy and space are healthy for their development. Communicate better by being curious, not critical Teenagers feel valued when you observe their world, but don’t try to fit yourself into it. Communicating with teens often means finding the balance between keeping a distance and holding them close. A productive approach will require [...]

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7 Tips for Overcoming Depression

7 Tips for Overcoming Depression

Kate Motaung2024-11-27T12:55:08+00:00June 7th, 2024|Depression, Featured, Individual Counseling, Men’s Issues, Women’s Issues|

Depression can remove you from your life. It steals your happiness and the love you feel for hobbies and interests. Depression robs you of your relationships and places a strain on your job. The good news is that you were not created to live depressed. There are ways you can beat depression. Overcoming depression is possible. Start by trying a few of the suggestions listed below. What is depression? Depression is a persistent sadness. Unlike the occasional sadness and disappointment one may feel, someone struggling with depression may not know why they feel that way. It could be that they are processing grief, have experienced a life change, have a brain chemical imbalance, or are genetically predisposed toward depression. Seeking help from a counselor may be precisely what you need to get to the root of your depression. A counselor can teach you psychological techniques and skills. Overcoming depression starts with making a few lifestyle changes. 7 Tips for Overcoming Depression The following are tips for lifestyle tweaks you can start today for overcoming depression. Try each one and take note of how you feel. You may need to practice one daily for a few weeks to notice a significant difference. Some activities may make you feel better right away. If you want more ideas, consider asking a counselor for suggestions. Lifestyle adjustments are often the easiest and least expensive ways to beat depression in the long run. Often, focusing on getting healthy from the inside out relieves depression symptoms. Go outside In the busy, hectic world of technological devices, we often need to remember to go outside and enjoy nature. Getting sunshine and vitamin D can boost our mood. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter responsible for mood, cognition, and memory. Sunshine triggers serotonin in the brain. Try eating lunch [...]

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Kate Motaung

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