Caitlin Mallery

About Caitlin Mallery

Caitlin Mallery is a freelance writer, mother of four, avid reader, and amateur gardener from the Pacific Northwest. When she is not writing or chauffeuring children hither, thither, and yon, she works as a hospital chaplain. “Working in spiritual care as a hospital chaplain has given me a window into the ways that physical, mental, and spiritual health intertwine. I take a holistic view of personhood in my writing and life. I bring my training in spiritual direction and former CNA to my writing and hope you find it compassionate and useful.” You can read more by Caitlin on Substack.

Perfectionism and the Fear of Failure

2025-09-17T06:24:11+00:00September 17th, 2025|Anxiety, Coaching, Featured, Individual Counseling, Personal Development, Professional Development|

In a society that often equates success with flawlessness, it’s easy to develop a crippling fear of failure. However, failure is not the enemy; it’s a stepping-stone to success. Every successful person has experienced failure at some point in their life. However, it is easy for this to lead to perfectionism. Dealing with Perfectionism and the Fear of Failure People learn, grow, and ultimately achieve their goals through failure. Embracing failure as a natural part of the learning process allows us to take risks, push our boundaries, and ultimately reach our full potential. Embrace a beginner’s mindset It’s okay to be a beginner. Everyone starts somewhere. The most successful people are willing to learn, grow, and adapt. Embracing a beginner’s mindset allows us to approach new challenges with curiosity and openness rather than fear and anxiety. Remember, every expert was once a beginner. One of the attitudes that beginners often have is curiosity. They are open to new ideas and trying out different possibilities. A fixed mindset is unwilling to try other things, while a curious mindset is open to many options when learning. Embrace the journey The process of learning and growing is just as valuable, if not more so, than the result. You develop resilience, perseverance, and a strong work ethic through the process. Focusing solely on the end result can lead to disappointment and frustration, while appreciating the journey allows you to find joy and fulfillment in pursuing your goals. If you are looking at arrival as the point, then you are setting yourself up for disappointment. Embrace God’s perfect gifts Perfectionists can easily become trapped in a mindset that God wants them to be perfect. This can lead to a troubling view of God, one with high expectations. God meets all people where they are, and [...]

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Facing Anxiety about Death

2025-04-24T07:59:04+00:00December 28th, 2023|Aging and Geriatric Issues, Anxiety, Featured, Individual Counseling|

Death is the great inevitability of life. Yet despite this certainty, many have some degree of fear or anxiety about death. In its most intense form, thanatophobia (the fear of death) can hinder you from fully living your life. Others may live with the fear hovering in the back of their mind, not always conscious of it. For some, fear may only come in certain situations. And sometimes it is not your own death that causes fear. The thought of loved ones dying is equally anxiety-inducing. People do all sorts of things to prevent death, from healthy diets and exercise to wearing seatbelts and going through surgery. But while death can be postponed it cannot be cancelled. Each person needs to come to terms with death. As a Christian, you have a completely other perspective on death, one informed by your faith and the Bible. Carrollton Christian Counseling can help you explore this perspective. The Bible is a book that often deals with death from one generation to the next until the resurrection of Jesus Christ. That resurrection gives hope for after death. Yet in death, there is also hope. What does the Bible say regarding anxiety about death? My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death have fallen on me. Fear and trembling have beset me; horror has overwhelmed me. – Psalm 55:4-5, NIV David, the writer of many Psalms, had much reason to experience anxiety about death. He spent many days running from men who wanted him dead. He experienced loss, physical suffering, and exhaustion. Yet he knew who truly had his life in His hand. Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death. – Psalm 68:20, NIV While David may have been afraid of men who [...]

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