Individual Counseling Archives | Longview Christian Counseling

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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Building Self-esteem, God’s Way

Building Self-esteem, God’s Way

Jennifer Kooshian2024-10-25T08:19:39+00:00September 30th, 2024|Coaching, Featured, Individual Counseling, Personal Development|

Self-esteem has been defined as the evaluation that a person makes of themself in comparison to some standard, or the way they have come to think of themselves habitually. While this has always been a concern for humans throughout history, in our current Western culture, building self-esteem seems to be an obsession. The advertising industry is fueled by taglines selling products to “make you look and feel great about yourself”, and bookshops are lined with books offering self-help remedies and strategies to improve self-confidence. While some remedies are helpful, they are often short-lived, as they do not go to the root of the issue. The Bible, in giving us everything we need for life and godliness, is not silent on the issue of self-esteem, but instead points out some faulty thinking that we tend to naturally gravitate toward. What makes up one’s self-esteem? The areas where people evaluate themselves to derive their self-image tend to fall into four categories. These include: Performance – This relates to what you do; whether it’s in the classroom, on the athletic field, at work, or at home as a parent with children. This category relates to abilities and how good we are at performing the various roles in our lives. Background – People naturally tend to use “pedigree” as an evaluation category for building self-esteem. This could be where you were born and the wealth of your family, which school or college you studied at, or even which sports team you support. This element gives a source of belonging or pride (or the opposite, depending on one’s evaluation). Acceptability – This is how we feel about our relationships with family members and friends, and concerns how lovable we feel. This is an area where one’s upbringing and past can have a direct impact [...]

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6 Ways to Prepare for Seasonal Depression

6 Ways to Prepare for Seasonal Depression

Jennifer Kooshian2024-11-27T12:53:25+00:00July 30th, 2024|Depression, Featured, Individual Counseling, Men’s Issues, Women’s Issues|

While many people extol the joys of autumn foliage and are excited about “sweater weather,” those who have struggled with seasonal depression may be less enthusiastic about the changing seasons. However, knowing that you have dealt with seasonal depression in the past, you can prepare yourself for the season. 6 Ways to Prepare for Seasonal Depression Here are six ways to prepare yourself to handle the winter blues. Supplements and medications Stock up on vitamin D and talk to your doctor about any prescription medications you may need. Anti-depressants can take some time to work up to their full strength. If you don’t take anti-depressants in the sunnier months, talk to your doctor about starting your prescription before winter’s darkness hits. Adding a vitamin D supplement is also helpful when the sunshine no longer pierces the clouds with its rays. Light therapy Speaking of sunshine, consider purchasing sunshine lamps. You can use one at home or work to boost your mood. Have fun Make some fun plans for the gloomy seasons. When you have something to look forward to, it makes the long nights more bearable. See a movie in the theater, make lunch dates with friends, plan a game night, buy some books you have wanted to read or plan an old-fashioned weekly watch party of a TV show rather than a straight binge. Create a space you love to be in Hygge up your personal space. The Scandinavian concept of hygge took the US by storm during COVID-19, and plenty of excellent tips can make your home or office more comfortable during the colder, darker time of year. Stock up on teas, coffee, or cocoa. Have blankets at the ready. Research recipes that make you excited to stay in and cook. Make a playlist of music that [...]

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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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Six Tips for Overcoming Workplace Stress

Six Tips for Overcoming Workplace Stress

Jennifer Kooshian2024-11-27T12:53:56+00:00June 5th, 2024|Coaching, Featured, Individual Counseling, Personal Development, Professional Development|

Many of us spend at least a third of our days at one and sometimes two jobs to help provide for ourselves and our families. That work might be behind a desk, outside at a worksite, among co-workers, or in solitude. Your attitude toward your work may vary from day to day, and range from loathing it to absolutely adoring it. Whatever we feel about it, work is a fixed reality in our lives, which is why workplace stress can be tough to deal with. Work, even the enjoyable kind, can be difficult, and it takes its toll on our bodies and minds. The ability to handle the effects of work, especially the stress of work, is an important part of any worker’s life and could help retain productivity and avoid the negative effects of chronic stress. Workplace stress: What it is, and what it does to you The word “stress” refers to how our bodies naturally respond physically and emotionally to something that is a perceived threat or challenge. Our stress response, also called the “fight or flight” response, helps our bodies and minds prepare for action when we are in a difficult or dangerous situation. The body’s fight or flight response is activated during a stressful event, triggering the release of hormones like adrenaline and cortisol which prepares us to either confront a threat or flee from it. The situations that can bring stress include facing financial pressures, relationship issues, experiencing significant life changes like getting married or moving, managing health problems, and work pressures such as deadlines. As you can imagine, cortisol and adrenaline affect organs such as your heart, and it can have other physiological effects. When you’re feeling stressed, you can experience digestive issues, difficulty sleeping, anxiety or being overwhelmed, exhaustion or fatigue, irritability [...]

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