Tag: mental health counseling
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Christianity & Trauma
When you hear the word trauma what do you think about? This is something that is hard for some to grasp. Trauma by definition is an emotional response to an event like an accident, a crime, natural disaster, or unexpected violent event. The problem is, we often define trauma by the index of how ‘terrible’…
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Christianity & Depression
One of the most prevelant mental health disorders is various forms of depression. By definition depression is a common but serious mood disorder also known as major depression, major depressive disorder, or clinical depression. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, depression causes severe symptoms that affect how someone feels, thinks, and participates in…
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Christianity & Anxiety
This is the first post in a series of posts where I hope to address various mental health topics and Biblical applications of how to approach those topics. Basically taking what I do as a therapist for my clients who are Christians and seek to have an integrated approach to their care. Anxiety. A very…
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Wintering Check In
Back in November I wrote about Seasonal Affective Disorder and I thought it would be good to check in to see how the managing of that is going for everyone! I noticed that December seemed to go well because a lot of people were distracted by the holidays. All the excitement of celebrations, Christmas lights,…
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Grief and the Holidays
Grief changes us, we mourn quietly while the rest of the world keeps spinning. It engulfs us in ways we never imagined.
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Boundary Tips to Navigate the Holidays
Tis the season! I truly enjoy this time of year, all the festive cheer in the air, and all of the lights. I am a sucker for some lovely Christmas lights! I recognize this time of year can also be difficult when you have a broken family system. It is also difficult for those grieving…
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Seasonal Affective Disorder
It is that time of year, the one that for some of us, sends us into what we lovingly used to be able to call hibernation. I myself have found the seasons changing to take a toll on my mental state. I LOVE autumn. I am the first one to be outside leaf peeping, soaking…
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Breaking the Stigma: Managing Mental Health with Medication
This month it was my goal to share vulnerably at least a few times during Mental Health Awareness Month. I wanted to hopefully just show one person some hope. I find when we are struggling we often assume we are alone. My history with depression and anxiety has been a presence in my life since…
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Eating Disorder: the Hard Truth
It’s National eating disorder week. As someone who has struggled with eating disorders most of my adult life I wanted to pause and reflect on my own journey this week. I looked at pictures of myself and I realized how I could find so many that I wanted my body to be right now. How…
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Suicide Awareness and Prevention
This month is Suicide Prevention Month and today September 10th is World Suicide Prevention Day. Suicide prevention is very personal for me. I have struggled in the past with suicidal ideations and depression. My husbands best friend committed suicide 2 years ago, and I will never forget watching his pain as he processed that. My…
Colleen Smith, LMHC, NCC 