Articles

For What It’s Worth…Your Search for Meaning

Therapy is way more than a toolbox of intervention. Information alone cannot replace professional help. However, information can be very powerful. So, for what it’s worth to you, here is the weekly post offering a therapeutic idea, concept, or intervention that you can try out in your own life or relationships.

Burned (Out)

My Dear Friend,
I saw what’s been happening.  I’ve been watching from a distance. And I am so sorry.

On Loneliness

Loneliness is one of those experiences that is so fundamental to the human condition that some have argued that it is a universal experience. I cannot deny that assertion based on my own personal experience. I have lived through feelings of loneliness as both a believer and unbeliever. And based on those experiences I can honestly say that there is an essential difference between the two. Perhaps we need a word to distinguish between them. As an unbeliever I experienced loneliness that led to true dispair, but I have never dispaired in that same way as a believer.

No. (Also Known As “We Need to Get Over Ourselves”)

***Parallel Processing
Parallel process is a clinical term used to describe the common occurrence in therapy when the therapist’s own experience is reflected in the client’s. It is when a client comes in grieving over the loss of a loved one while the therapist has only just experienced his or her own loss as well. It is a therapist helping a client through feelings of anger and hurt that the therapist has also just recently confronted.

For What It’s Worth…Irrational Beliefs

Therapy is way more than a toolbox of intervention.  Information alone cannot replace professional help. However, information can be very powerful.  So, for what it’s worth to you, here is the weekly post offering a therapeutic idea, concept, or intervention that you can try out in your own life or relationships.

Folding Laundry

***Parallel Processing
Parallel process is a clinical term used to describe the common occurrence in therapy when the therapist’s own experience is reflected in the client’s. It is when a client comes in grieving over the loss of a loved one while the therapist has only just experienced his or her own loss as well. It is a therapist helping a client through feelings of anger and hurt that the therapist has also just recently confronted.

Stuck and Still

As wonderful as the Christmas season is and as much as I love it, I’ve been pretty jammed up lately.

Herding Cats and Butterflies

At least a few and more often several times a day I beckon my group towards to the front door with the goal of venturing outside.  Here is what happens.  As we approach the front door from various directions in the house, one daughter will dart back towards their room: “I need to get…” , which reminds the other daughter that she has forgotten something vitally important, too.  Emmett takes this as an opportunity to just run…anywhere.  We seem to almost make it again…”mommy, I’m thirsty.  I want to take something with me to drink.”  “Me, too!”  Emmett runs again…maybe to look for his sippy cup.  This process happens a few times.

Blood

The blood of Jesus is one of the most powerful resources available to us. It is also the most fundamental image of the Christian message. Yet, surprisingly few Christians have a basic understanding of the purpose and power of the blood of Christ outside of having our sins covered. Here are a few principles to start with:

 

Gratitude

In the New Testament we are told that on at least two occasions Jesus fed a multitude of hungry people with only a tiny bit of bread and fish. As we try to understand what Jesus might model for us in this story we tend to focus on increasing our level of faith or contemplating the power of God. Certainly those are appropriate responses. However, in so doing we miss the simple lesson that is taught to us through the very first thing that Jesus does in each of those stories. Each time the action begins with, “He gave thanks” (e.g. Mark 8:6).