Featured Archives | Carrollton Christian Counseling

Using Meditation for Anxiety to Stay Calm in Unexpected Situations

Using Meditation for Anxiety to Stay Calm in Unexpected Situations

Grace Mavindidze2025-06-28T08:17:48+00:00June 30th, 2025|Anxiety, Featured, Individual Counseling|

Life always seems to throw curveballs when we least expect them. Sometimes it’s just a last-minute change in plans, an urgent issue at work, or an uncomfortable social encounter that leaves you feeling rattled. Learning meditation for anxiety can help. We’re here today to talk about one simple but useful mental health life hack called “meditation for anxiety” that you can use no matter where you are to help you stay calm and grounded when things feel out of control. By making meditation a part of your daily life, you will build up the strength and will you need to face whatever comes your way. Why Learning Meditation for Anxiety in Public Spaces Matters Anxiety doesn’t give us a warning before it shows up. Sometimes, it appears out of nowhere, catching us off guard. You could be at a party when someone brings up a topic that you just aren’t prepared to handle, and it triggers feelings of anxiety. Stressful moments can happen anywhere: while standing in line, sitting in a cafe, or even in the middle of a busy street. It’s in these surprise moments that having some trick to help you stay grounded, like meditation, becomes so valuable. When anxiety arises, you need to have something you know you can do right away to calm yourself. You don’t always have the luxury of going somewhere quiet to meditate. Meditation doesn’t require special equipment or a quiet room; it’s something you can do with just your breath and your mind, no matter where you are. Plus, it’s a great way to build mental strength. The more you meditate in public, the more you learn to handle anxiety in real-time. Meditating in any space also helps you stay present. Instead of getting lost in your anxious thoughts, focusing on [...]

Comments Off

Signs That You Need Help for Alcohol Dependence

Signs That You Need Help for Alcohol Dependence

Mccartney Paul, Kate Motaung2025-06-20T07:00:08+00:00June 20th, 2025|Chemical Dependency, Featured, Individual Counseling, Men’s Issues, Women’s Issues|

Many people have a complicated relationship with alcohol. In one person’s experience, it may be related to happy and enjoyable memories, while for another, it’s associated with dark and painful ones. Each person must navigate how they will deal with alcohol, and it helps to be informed about some of the ways it can negatively affect someone. Various substances, such as prescription and recreational drugs, affect the brain. Likewise, alcohol can produce pleasurable feelings and also blunt negative ones. It has a powerful effect on the brain, which can make it appealing. This temporary relief can motivate someone to turn to alcohol again and again, even when it poses possible significant risks to their health and overall well-being. You can become dependent on alcohol even without recognizing it. What is alcohol dependence? When you depend on something, it means that it plays a significant role in your life. When a person is dependent on alcohol, they may feel as though they cannot function without consuming alcohol. Alcohol assumes an important role in their life, and often, they have to drink more and more of it in order to obtain the same effect as before. Alcohol becomes a priority, superseding other activities or obligations. When a person is dependent on alcohol, they may not only prioritize alcohol over other things like family or work, but they may continue to consume alcohol even when it becomes destructive. Even if they’ve begun experiencing the harmful consequences of drinking, such as getting a DUI, losing their job, being diagnosed with liver disease, or other mental health challenges, they will continue to drink. Alcohol dependence is marked by the impaired ability to stop or control one’s intake and use of alcohol. Alcohol dependence is one of a cluster of terms that are often used [...]

Comments Off

The Many Ways Distorted Thinking Affects Your Life Every Day

The Many Ways Distorted Thinking Affects Your Life Every Day

Ashlynn Barnette, Kate Motaung2025-06-12T10:10:02+00:00June 12th, 2025|Featured, Individual Counseling, Personal Development|

Emotions are a big part of how you experience your life. They shape the way you see the world, make decisions, and react to the ups and downs of life. But what can happen is that emotions take charge and trick you into thinking things that aren’t true. If you let them, they can twist your thoughts, making situations seem worse than they are. This is called distorted thinking, and it probably happens to you more than you’d think. Distorted emotions are like a filter, and through it, everything seems darker and more difficult than it really is. You can have a small argument with a friend, and then an emotional response will make you think, “They don’t care about me,” even when there’s no proof. These kinds of thoughts feel real at the moment, but they’re not the truth; they’re just emotions blurring reality. With some awareness of how your brain may conjure up this wrong way of thinking, it’s possible to spot these patterns, and then you can change them. Why do you have emotions? Emotions come from a part of your brain called the amygdala. It’s the one that helps you respond to things around you. These emotional responses are part of what keeps you safe and balanced. The amygdala normally processes feelings like fear and anger, where chemicals such as dopamine and serotonin create sensations of either happiness or sadness. These emotions are the brain’s way of helping us respond quickly to the world around us. This is the way your brain knows, for example, that fear signals danger, and joy means something good is around. Through it all, the brain is supposed to remain in charge of your thoughts by rationalizing and balancing your reactions with what is real. Everyone experiences emotional highs and [...]

Comments Off

Common ADHD Quirks and How to Manage Them

Common ADHD Quirks and How to Manage Them

Mccartney Paul, Kate Motaung2025-06-05T07:04:22+00:00June 5th, 2025|ADHD/ADD, Family Counseling, Featured, Individual Counseling|

Having ADHD is a mixed bag of fun and frustration. so many things are just different about us compared to neurotypical folks, that it’s sometimes hard to keep track of. It is important for us to feel seen and understood because, although we might be different, there is nothing inherently wrong with us. As with everyone, regardless of their neurotype, sometimes we need to understand why we are doing certain things so that we can better adapt or tweak our actions, for the good of everyone. Let’s explore some of the most common ADHD quirks and consider how to manage them. Common ADHD Quirks and How to Manage Them Most of us have poor bladder control When we get locked into a hyperfocus mode, there is little that can stop us or distract us, even a full bladder. Unfortunately, holding urine does not strengthen the bladder but weakens it over time. It might take a lot of practice, but we simply need to lean into our natural affinity for multitasking and go to the bathroom while we are doing whatever fun task we are absorbed in. We tend to adopt accents Those with ADHD often become fascinated by ordinary things, and a foreign accent can be captivating. We tend to imitate accents without even realizing it, and sometimes this comes across as rude or fake, although for us it is harmless and unintentional. If we find ourselves in a conversation with someone who has an interesting accent, it might be helpful to warn them that we tend to mimic accents. It may not be a big deal, but it also might be best to warn others before it slips out. Alternatively, we can be self-aware and try to intentionally stop ourselves from mimicking. We suffer from FOMO There is [...]

Comments Off

5 Relationship Types and How to Strengthen Your Bonds

5 Relationship Types and How to Strengthen Your Bonds

Mccartney Paul, Kate Motaung2025-05-22T07:08:50+00:00May 22nd, 2025|Couples Counseling, Featured, Individual Counseling, Marriage Counseling, Relationship Issues|

Relationships are a part of life, but why? If we have learned anything during the pandemic, it has been that although isolation is necessary for particular seasons of our lives, we thrive when we are part of a social circle. This circle can include your spouse, children, parents, siblings, coworkers, or the friendly mail delivery carrier. You choose the people and how much access they have to your life. Knowing the five relationship types and how you can strengthen those bonds can serve you well in every area of life. Why Relationships are Necessary Positive relationships are necessary for the formation of social skills and happiness. Different types of relationships fulfill various needs throughout life and can result in better emotional and mental health. Not feeling alone, even when you are struggling, is crucial to avoiding specific mental condition symptoms such as depression. Relationships, even the hard and toxic ones, help build emotional resilience. Resiliency will help you overcome challenges throughout life and move forward instead of staying “stuck,” reliving hurt, disappointment, or trauma. Relationships provide a support system and other people to share your burdens. When going through something challenging, you want people who love and care about you to help stand in the gap. Relationships allow you to support others and be a blessing when they need it. As relationships form early, those bonds may shape the person you become. But remember, even if your relationships throughout childhood were tumultuous, you have the resources to lead a different life. You can choose to surround yourself with people who can push you to learn more, think differently, and act appropriately. The relationships you choose later in life can either bless you or harm you. Not every relationship needs to be a close, intimate one to benefit you. Building [...]

Comments Off

How to Help Your Child with Teen Depression

How to Help Your Child with Teen Depression

Melissa Plantz2025-05-13T06:48:32+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 [...]

Comments Off

Avoidance Anxiety and How It Affects Relationships

Avoidance Anxiety and How It Affects Relationships

Tammy Varghese, Kate Motaung2025-05-09T07:01:47+00:00May 9th, 2025|Abandonment and Neglect, Anxiety, Featured, Individual Counseling, Relationship Issues|

There’s something about unpleasant experiences that just shouts, “Don’t do this again!”. We instinctively tend to avoid unsavory things to save ourselves time and effort and to preserve our peace of mind. For example, if you have a bad experience at an eating establishment, you’re unlikely to patronize it again. It can be scary getting into a car again after an accident or it may feel uncomfortable walking where you were mugged. We tend to avoid the unpleasant, or what reminds us of unpleasant experiences. This can be advantageous, for the reasons already mentioned. However, it can also have a downside. There are situations in which it is necessary to face unpleasant things for another, bigger purpose. You may not enjoy public speaking, for example, but it enables you to effectively communicate your ideas to more people. In key instances in life, it may be necessary to face the things that make you anxious or that you ordinarily try to avoid. Understanding avoidance anxiety and its impact on your life can help you take steps to deal with this anxiety and reclaim your freedom and ability to enter diverse situations unhindered by fear. Avoidance Anxiety Unpacked We all have moments or situations that make us anxious. Perhaps it is dinner with your family, talking or eating in public, going to a social event, a first date or job interview, driving, addressing conflict, or any number of other circumstances. When you feel anxious, your body reacts by activating your fight-flight-freeze response. This is one of the ways your body prepares you to act in ways that protect you and your well-being. Anxiety doesn’t feel pleasant. It includes signs such as a rapid heartbeat, sweaty palms, racing thoughts and restlessness, and even feelings of dread. When you’re anxious, it can feel [...]

Comments Off

ADHD and Communication: How One Impacts the Other

ADHD and Communication: How One Impacts the Other

Mccartney Paul, Kate Motaung2025-05-08T06:16:15+00:00May 8th, 2025|ADHD/ADD, Featured, Individual Counseling|

Almost all friendships and relationships these days are maintained and enriched by digital communication. With our busy lives, we tend to rely on text messaging and video calls to make plans, check in with each other, share news, and spend casual time together when we can’t meet in person. Digital communication fills a gap in almost all modern friendships. This especially affects those with ADHD. For those with ADHD, though, this aspect of communication can be complicated. Where most people find digital communication to be easy and sometimes even preferable, those with ADHD generally hate it. Their friends and partners will probably attest to this fact. For many, those with ADHD seem to blow hot and cold because they are friendly, focused, and connected in person but silent and seemingly cold in the times between hangouts. The ADHD Pattern From the perspective of friends, those with ADHD have a pattern of communication that looks something like this: You spend time together and enjoy yourselves with your ADHD friend, making you feel like you’re the center of their attention and the only person in the room. However, you don’t hear from them in the days and weeks that pass. Text messages don’t receive replies, and phone calls are unanswered; they seem to be ghosting you. What gives? If you have experienced rejection or abandonment trauma in your life, this kind of unpredictable communication often feels triggering. It’s hard to trust someone who makes you feel seen and heard when you’re face to face, only to disappear completely in the time between. Communication is as much about the words that are spoken as much as the words that go unspoken. Silence speaks volumes, too. Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind One of the harsher realities about ADHD is that it often [...]

Comments Off

Christian Mom’s Guide to Helping Your ADHD Child with Homework

Christian Mom’s Guide to Helping Your ADHD Child with Homework

Stephanie Kramer2025-05-06T06:38:14+00:00May 6th, 2025|ADHD/ADD, Christian Counseling for Children, Christian Counseling For Teens, Family Counseling, Featured|

If you’ve ever tried to help your ADHD child with homework, you know that it can feel like you’re trying to herd cats on a sugar high. There’s fidgeting, wandering, weird, but wonderful thoughts, and endless distractions. As a Christian mom, you may find yourself praying for a little extra dose of patience and that the math assignment won’t take three hours (miracles do happen!). Never fear! The cavalry is here. Here are a few practical strategies to keep homework from being a daily battle. Lean on God’s patience when your own is tested by an ADHD child As much as we would like to be Christlike at all times, it can be challenging when your child is bouncing off the walls and asking a million questions about everything except the homework due tomorrow. We all fail to model perfect patience at times, but God is there to be our ever-present help. Stop, breathe, and say a quick prayer for patience and guidance when the world around you feels chaotic. God is working through your child and you can trust that the fruits of your labor and the patience you’re practicing are helping both you and your child grow closer to God and to fulfilling His perfect plan. Find the balance between structure and flexibility Children with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) thrive on routine but they also need breaks. Set up a predictable homework time but keep it somewhat flexible. If your child needs to get up and move every ten minutes, just build that into the routine. Posting a daily schedule in a visible place will help your child know what to expect and allow them to digest their day in manageable chunks. Use fidgets to keep hands busy Keeping your ADHD child’s hands busy is key [...]

Comments Off

The Dos and Don’ts of Helping Someone With PTSD

The Dos and Don’ts of Helping Someone With PTSD

Wade Van Staden2025-04-30T07:26:30+00:00April 30th, 2025|Featured, Individual Counseling, Trauma|

It can be difficult to know how to support loved ones through experiences that you can’t understand. To make things worse, PTSD is something unique to each one who experiences it, and it can be hard for the sufferer to talk about it for many reasons. In addition to all of this, PTSD is frequently misdiagnosed and treated as fatigue or depression. We can unintentionally harm our loved ones by the way we react to their PTSD symptoms, regardless of how long they have been apparent. Most of us genuinely want what is best for our loved ones dealing with PTSD, so here are some pointers that could help us help the ones we love. The Dos of Helping Someone With PTSD Acknowledge and validate their struggle It’s always reassuring to be seen in a struggle, and many people with PTSD need that assurance and validation that what they’re going through is hard. Listen to them when they share their experience It can take a lot for someone going through the symptoms of PTSD to open up and share, so when they do, value them by listening. Try to empathize with their feelings It’s hard to level with someone when they’re going through something we can’t understand, but we need to try to empathize with what they’re feeling. Support them as they seek help People with PTSD tend to sit in their feelings for ages. When your loved one starts seeking solutions to their symptoms, encourage them because it is a big deal. Ask them how you can help Asking them how you can help gives them the chance to think of what they need. They might not have even considered how they need help, so this could be a meaningful prompt. The Don’ts of Helping Someone with PTSD [...]

Comments Off

Featured

CONTACT INFO

Carrollton Christian Counseling

ABOUT US