Are you codependent? If you have any of the following traits, you may be struggling with codependency. Excessively relying on and prioritizing the needs, emotions, and well-being of others over your own Feeling the need to “fix” others Enabling other people, even when they do hurtful things to you or others you care about Depending on others too much for your own emotional needs Being afraid to stand up for yourself Inability to set healthy boundaries with others Having [...]
Learning how to cope with change begins with accepting that change is an inevitable part of life. All of us make plans, hope for the best, prepare for the worst, and strive to be content in whatever state we are currently in. The Bible has a small section of books known as Wisdom Literature. It includes the books of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Job, the Psalms, and the Song of Solomon. For today, let us look at a selection of Bible [...]
Knowing how to create healthy boundaries is as important as recognizing the need for those boundaries in the first place. Boundaries are the foundation of healthy relationships that guarantee both parties’ needs, wants, and safety are ensured. They provide rules of order and a blueprint that the relationship should be built from. Galatians 6:5 (NIV) says, “For each one should carry their own load.” Boundaries establish respect, care, and security, as well as prevent dependency, unfair dynamics, and toxicity. [...]
Let’s be honest. No one wakes up and decides, “I want to mess up my life.” Teen drug abuse rarely begins with rebellion; it usually begins on a whim. It grows out of everyday feelings like stress, boredom, anxiety, or just being tired of your own thoughts. You try something that helps you forget for a while, and it works, at least at first, and that is what makes it easy to try it again. Yet over time, a [...]
Life is full of adverse circumstances that can cause a person to feel anything from minor stress to crippling panic. Adverse circumstances can be related to finances, social interactions, work, marriage/family dynamics, life transitions, grief/loss, or health issues, to name a few. Stress Inoculation Training (SIT) is a practical type of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy created by psychologist Donald Meichenbaum. The purpose of Stress Inoculation Training is to help a client build resilience during adversity by learning coping skills to manage [...]
🎧 Listen to this article https://stoneoakchristiancounseling.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Stone-Oak-Christian-Counseling-Will-a-Bipolar-Diagnosis-Affect-My-Relationships-How-Do-I-Handle-It.mp3 When someone receives a bipolar diagnosis, it doesn’t just stay in the doctor’s office. It creeps into friendships, family ties, dating, and even workplace connections. People around you may not fully understand what the diagnosis means, and that gap in understanding can create tension. Some may worry about how to support you, while others may misinterpret your moods as personal attacks. This is not only frustrating but also isolating, because relationships thrive [...]
🎧 Listen to this article https://stoneoakchristiancounseling.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Stone-Oak-Christian-Counseling-Depression-in-Women-Can-I-Still-Be-a-Good-Mom-When-Im-Depressed.mp3 Motherhood teaches you to give endlessly, your time, your patience, your heart. But what happens when your emotional well runs dry? There are days when you wake up already tired. You look at your children and love them deeply, but the energy to keep up with their needs feels so distant. You probably just tell yourself to push through, to keep smiling, to keep the house running, yet inside, something feels broken. [...]
Anxiety can feel like a raging storm hovering over your life. In some ways, it can leave you on edge and emotional. In other areas, you can develop mood swings and anger. Chronic anxiety can also trigger physical conditions, such as high blood pressure, panic attacks, and heart disease. Learning to self-regulate your emotions with mindfulness exercises for anxiety can decrease your risk of developing these conditions by lowering stress hormones. Mindfulness Exercises for Anxiety The following is a [...]
Have you concluded that you are in an abusive relationship? Below are the criteria for narcissistic personality disorder in the DSM 5. This is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition) that psychiatrists and therapists use to diagnose mental illness. Traits of Narcissism Look at the criteria below and see if you are currently with someone who has these traits. Grandiose sense of self-importance. Exaggerates achievements and talents; expects to be recognized as superior without commensurate [...]
Managing stress in an already hectic environment seems impossible. But you can lower your stress levels in bite-sized chunks. You can practice a few ways to manage stress while you brew a pot of tea or coffee. Five-Minute Ways to Manage Stress Five minutes may not seem like a long time, but it is just the right amount to shift your mindset, calm your thoughts, and trigger the parasympathetic nervous system, which will help you feel calmer. Pick a [...]
Family rifts often arise from unconscious causes, creating deep divides that can last for years. Even minor disagreements may escalate due to miscommunication or differing values. For instance, political views have torn apart families, and such conflicts have become more common than one might think. Some studies show that over 25% of adults experience family estrangement in the US alone. Family rifts can often arise even when the warring parties initially had no intention to hurt or disappoint the [...]
How well do you know yourself, your personality? Do you understand how you naturally react when it comes to emotions? Do you lean toward suppressing your emotions or letting them out in ineffective ways? Our thoughts determine the ongoing course of our lives. We all know the difference between positive and negative thinking. Normally, our thinking is more negative, human-centered, and egocentric. Positive thoughts are by far first-rate compared to negative thoughts; however, how does positive thinking relate to [...]
