Melissa Plantz

About Melissa Plantz

Melissa Plantz is a Christian author and freelance writer. She spent twenty years in the pharmacy industry and has specialized in faith, fitness, nutrition, geriatrics, and mental health since 2015. She writes from the beautiful Lake Marion area in South Carolina.

How to Help Your Child with Teen Depression

2025-05-13T06:48:32+00:00May 13th, 2025|Christian Counseling For Teens, Depression, Family Counseling, Featured|

Teen depression episodes affect millions of children in the U.S. At some point, roughly 20% of teens (ages 12-17) have experienced at least one depressive episode. Girls tend to be at more risk than boys; however, teen depression is treatable. Ways to Help with Teen Depression There is nothing like professional help when struggling with teen depression. However, there are things you can do as a parent or guardian to help your child through this challenging season. The following are several ways to help your child with teen depression. Seek professional treatment Major depression, if left untreated, can lead to self-harm or suicide. If your child has expressed suicidal ideations or you have noticed evidence of self-harm, such as cut marks, seek professional help immediately. Ideally, you want to get them help before depression gets to that stage. Educate yourself about symptoms Teen depression has many common symptoms, such as persistent sadness and withdrawal from friends and family. However, the condition can also make it tough for your child to concentrate on homework or tasks. Forgetfulness and memory problems are another symptom of teen depression. Educate yourself on the numerous symptoms to spot when your child needs help. Keep communication open Your teen needs to know they can come to you, and you will hear them out without judgment. This can be challenging for Christian parents today, but before you can guide them, you must know what is wrong. Your teen may not understand why they feel depressed. Depression can be due to factors outside of their control, such as genetics or environment. Let your teen know you will hear them out, and together, you will seek help. Help them adopt good sleep hygiene Good quality sleep plays a vital role in how a teen processes emotions. Sleep deprivation [...]

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Lifespan Integration Therapy in Carrollton, Texas

2025-04-24T10:31:45+00:00April 24th, 2025|Featured, Individual Counseling, Lifespan Integration Therapy|

Do you struggle with trauma, such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), but you have tried talk therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and neither made much of a difference? Although both treatments are effective in treating PTSD, some people do not respond as well. However, family therapist Peggy Pace developed another therapy that seems to bust through the memories of trauma and start the healing process. This therapy is known as Lifespan Integration Therapy (LIT). If you're looking for Lifespan Integration Therapy in Carrollton, Texas, we can help! What is Lifespan Integration Therapy? Lifespan Integration therapy is a relatively newer psychological method developed in 2002 by family therapist Peggy Pace. Pace believed that past trauma lived in memories in the brain and the body. She aimed to integrate these memories into her client’s current sense of self. Pace combined the client’s memories with visualizations and timeline sequences to promote healing. The client would reexperience the emotions associated with the past trauma but in a safe environment led by a mental health professional. Sometimes, when someone has endured trauma, their neural networks become isolated. Lifespan Integration works by helping these neural networks become organized, allowing seamless transitions into different states of self. Will Lifespan Integration Therapy help with anxiety and depression? Trauma and PTSD are not the only mental conditions that benefit from Lifespan Integration therapy. People struggling with the following mental conditions may benefit from Lifespan Integration: Anxiety Depression Compulsive behaviors Attachment disorders Dissociative disorders Grief Self-image Life events Lifespan Integration repeatedly exposes the client to those past emotions until the neural pathways organize and the client’s nervous system stays calm while remembering the past or facing new stressors. Life events such as the loss of a loved one, divorce, loss of a home or job, or a big [...]

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Could It Be ADHD? Identifying Symptoms of ADHD

2024-09-25T08:32:10+00:00May 22nd, 2024|ADHD/ADD, Christian Counseling for Children, Christian Counseling For Teens, Featured, Individual Counseling|

Imagine this scenario: You’re at your workplace, and your boss has just handed you a crucial project with a major client. You reassure yourself that you’ll focus and get the job done, but your mind keeps drifting. Maybe you find yourself gazing out the window, lost in thought. Or a random idea pops into your head, and you’re instantly immersed in a web search for answers. Perhaps every notification sound distracts you. These may be symptoms of ADHD. If you have been struggling with ADHD symptoms for years, you may find that they worsen as an adult. No longer can you blame your youth for your inability to wait your turn or keep still. You need to know how to recognize ADHD symptoms and how you can keep them from interfering with your life. ADHD is the acronym for Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. ADHD symptoms typically appear during childhood. If left untreated, the child can experience ADHD symptoms as an adult, which will interfere with their relationships and work. Symptoms of ADHD Symptoms of ADHD can include hyperactivity, or they may not. Not everyone experiences that specific behavior. In the past, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and ADHD were considered two separate disorders, but since they can overlap, ADHD is the umbrella term used by most professionals. The following is a list of common ADHD symptoms. Constant movement (fidgeting) Constant movement, also known as fidgeting, is not necessarily wrong. Although it may distract others, fidgeting actually helps someone with ADHD to focus. The movement allows the mind to razor in on what someone is saying or on a project. Fidgeting has become so well accepted now that fidget toys are sold in stores and encouraged in classrooms. Interrupting others People living with ADHD may interrupt others. This behavior is not meant [...]

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How to Make Your Golden Years Golden: Aging in America

2025-04-24T07:18:51+00:00June 19th, 2023|Aging and Geriatric Issues, Featured, Individual Counseling|

As we look at legends like Betty White, Clint Eastwood, Harrison Ford, and Helen Mirren, we see men and women who have managed to age gracefully, staying healthy and limber. White passed away only a few weeks before her 100th birthday. In the past living to be one hundred (or even eighty) was a dream, but with the advances in science and knowledge regarding nutrition, more people are reaching closer to the centenarian age. You can make aging in America a smoother transition toward the 70s, 80s, 90s, and beyond with a few healthy habits. Make aging in America a healthy journey Genetics and environment play a massive role in aging. However, you can stack the odds in your favor for aging in America and living longer. The goal is not to just live longer, but to age gracefully, staying healthy and limber with as few age-related diseases and conditions as possible. This means avoiding substances or situations that can lead to long-term harm, such as overdrinking alcohol, abusing drugs, or engaging in risky behaviors. Carrollton Christian Counseling encourages making wise, faith-based lifestyle choices that support long-term well-being. The following are a few suggestions to get you started. Eat well. If you study centenarians (people who live to be between 100 and 109) and supercentenarians (age 110 and older), you may notice that these people are of average weight. To help control weight, avoid processed foods and aim for healthier fare, like lean proteins, fresh vegetables and fruits, and healthier fats such as olive oil. Contact a nutritionist for help in tweaking your daily diet. Walk. Walking is an excellent exercise that most people can do. It is low impact which allows you to increase the intensity as needed. Walking is inexpensive – all you need is a pair [...]

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