Stigmas, or myths of counseling, reflect the negative personal or cultural biases which commonly prevent people from obtaining the wisdom or counsel needed for them to move forward in life. I challenge these myths one by one in this article.
5 Essential Benefits of Premarital Counseling
Marriage is a beautiful endeavor when built upon the proper foundation. Premarital counseling is fundamental to properly building that foundation, and couples who invest their time, money and energy into the process will continuously reap the benefits of that decision over the course of time. This article outlines five essential benefits of premarital counseling.
Healing & Escaping From Pornography Use (My Story)
Pornography is a bane to any society and it wreaks havoc in the lives of those who turn to it for pleasure and connection, or who seek to escape from the pains of daily life. Once caught in its grasp, getting free can feel like an impossible task, especially when you find yourself battling with it alone, hiding in secrecy and hoping no one will every find out that pornography has become a part of your life.
I know what this sense of impossibility and isolation feels like. I felt it for many years, during my own struggle with pornography.
Vulnerability, Criticism & The Danger of Pointing Out Your Spouse's Flaws
When married couples argue, it's often a failed attempt at reaching for one another. A primary reason lies in the use of criticism. Husbands and wives may unknowingly assume that pointing out where and how their spouse has failed will somehow lead to a resolution of the core issues they're trying to address, or even bring them closer together somehow. Unfortunately, this approach tends to have the opposite effect.
Essentials of Rebuilding Trust in Marriage
Contrary to the popular notion, time doesn't heal all wounds. Rose Kennedy put it this way: "It has been said, 'time heals all wounds.' I do not agree. The wounds remain. In time, the mind, protecting its sanity, covers them with scar tissue and the pain lessens, but it is never gone." Her statement precisely illustrates what I see married couples experience when the trust between them is lost.
Parents, Children, and Needed Conversations About Pornography
Parents, have you recently asked, "What can I do to protect my child from being exposed to pornography?" If so, we're of the same mind. As a father of two young boys, and Marriage & Family Therapist, I am also concerned knowing this substance has become a prevalent part of our world that can be easily accessed through many different avenues. I speak from experience, having been first exposed to porn when I was a child and having seen its effects on my life and on my marriage. The fact is that our children are extremely vulnerable, not simply to being exposed to pornography, but to the real potential of developing an addiction to it through continued usage over time.
The Wisdom & Beauty of Premarital Counseling
Premarital counseling serves as one of the most unique and important elements of a couples visionary journey, by helping them wade through the deep waters of their love, and learn to carefully traverse through the daunting peaks and gaping valleys of their differences. Taking such a journey is one that requires the help, knowledge, and wisdom of those who are skilled at helping others navigate through the joyous and difficult parts of such an endeavor.
Freedom From Pornography Through Vulnerability
Many individuals desire to break patterns of pornography use in their lives, however they are often uncertain how to begin that process. This article addresses how vulnerability can be a powerful first step in this regard, while also addressing how one's Christian faith can help them navigate through a culture saturated with pornographic content.
Fulfilled Christian Counseling (Getting Started)
Fulfilled Christian Counseling has officially launched! Read more about how this exciting adventure started, while exploring the calling behind Fulfilled Christian Counseling that fuels who we are as an organization. We look forward to joining with you in the days ahead as we aim to build families, strengthen marriages, and help others break free of the bonds of pornography in their lives.