Below you'll find a list of all posts from 2012
As the new year rolls around, it brings with it a fresh start at many things. One important one to pay attention to is your insurance deductible. Insurance plans work in one of two ways: Contract year plan. This means your plan begins and ends on a date you initiated coverage, and can be anywhere throughout the year. For example, …
In counseling, we often talk about the things we say to ourselves or think about privately. This is called “self-talk.” Sometimes it comes in the form of actual conversation or monologue with/to ourselves, and sometimes it’s just a bunch of thoughts we think about. Either way, it’s private stuff that nobody knows about unless we vocalize it in some way. …
There are two basic things required for mapping change: something to run away from, and something to run towards. Running Away Usually people don’t think of running away from something as a good thing. When it comes to change, however, I think it’s absolutely critical. Why? Because whatever it is you want to escape tells you all kinds of information …
Anxiety is an extremely common issue that most of us struggle with. In fact, it’s one of the most diagnosed issues I treat and often exists alongside many other issues. However, anxiety is only a symptom and is very treatable. How is anxiety only a symptom? Well, because it rests on some other reason(s) to be worried or concerned. Someone …
One of the most controversial issues I think people struggle with is that of self-care. Most people I talk with would describe it as being selfish or self-centered – only thinking about you and not thinking about anyone else. But is this what self-care really is? If it is something different, then how do you distinguish self-care from selfishness? I …
In Part 1 of this series, I introduced the fact that pain and suffering are an inevitable and unavoidable part of life. I also discussed four unhealthy – yet very common – ways that people often respond and cope, as well as some typical results of those responses. In this article, I will address a healthier approach to dealing with …
Pain is an inevitable part of life. Throughout life, whether in childhood or in late adulthood, we may experience difficulties such as traumas, deaths, divorces, fractured or broken relationships, natural disasters, and many other painful events. The emotions we experience from these can be intense and overwhelming, and we may not know what to do with them. Often times in …
From Prepare-Enrich… For many people, a new year brings resolutions to improve different aspects of their lives. Striving to maintain better physical or financial health is a worthy goal, but what about improving the health of relationships? National Marriage Week originated in the U.K. in 1996 and has since spread to several countries, including the United States. National Marriage Week USA …
One of the most common questions I get from engaged couples is, “What are the benefits of premarital counseling?” Since it’s often asked, I thought I would share a few of my thoughts here in hopes that it will help you gain a better understanding as you look into premarital counseling. Build on strengths. Premarital counseling is a great opportunity …
So we’re just over two weeks into the new year and many people are probably struggling with their resolutions. It’s very common, and we all do it. We make big plans and then a few days later ask ourselves, “What was I thinking?!” in sheer disappointment. Well, maybe it’s not quite as dramatic as that but you get the idea. …
