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Identity - What Defines Us?

Identity - What Defines Us?

For me, I find myself doing it often. It is so easy to let our identities become lost in what we do. Or, how busy we are as opposed to finding the root of our identity in who we are. What does it even mean to figure out who we are, and why does it matter? Well, what happens when there is a sudden change in our circumstances that can cause our sense of self to waver? That is when it matters most to be grounded in our values and inherent traits that God created in us individually. We are assuredly going to go through some major changes in this life.

What Does Trauma Look Like?

What Does Trauma Look Like?

She shared with tears that she was not a good wife. Also, she found it difficult to make decisions around the house and at work even over the most basic things. She also shared that sometimes when her husband touched her, she felt scared and didn't understand why. Paige said that her husband always treated her with kindness and was respectful. She felt confused, needed help, and did not know where to turn for answers.

Paige did not understand she was experiencing a reaction to previous traumas in her life. It can be difficult for someone to determine when they need help for reactions they do not understand.

Why Men Could Benefit From Counseling and Why They Tend to Avoid it

Why Men Could Benefit From Counseling and Why They Tend to Avoid it

For some reason, the idea of men going to counseling is considered foreign. I’m not sure I can singlehandedly capture the complicated relationship between men and therapy, but I hope to be able to shed some light. As men, we are often drawn to problems that have solutions. Flat tire? Change it. Running toilet? Fix it. Relational conflict? Resolve it (the process of how we resolve it varies greatly amongst men). Men like solutions. We like results. We like answers. If we’re humble enough to say we don’t have the skills to fix something, we’ll begrudgingly call someone who does... but not before at least trying ourselves, am I right?

Make Your Home Here

Make Your Home Here

So far, I’ve been fairly quiet with my thoughts about COVID-19 and the effect it’s had on our lives as individuals and as a society. I, like many of you, have felt a mix of concern, anxiety, hope, and fatigue. To an extent I’m tired of talking about quarantine and social distancing and I long for life to move forward. No matter how many self-care tactics or strategies for managing stress and anxiety I’ve learned, even though I’m a licensed mental health practitioner, I still had to practice what I preach. When the adrenaline rush wore off, the fatigue set in as I contemplated what living fully looks like in our strange new world. Few blogs I’ve read have adequately captured the heart of what I’ve been feeling during this time, so I thought I would share my own thoughts in hopes that it may help you put words to your own experience.

A Letter From Dr. Shanon

A Letter From Dr. Shanon

Dear Valued CCST Client,

I want to take this opportunity to announce Christian Counseling of South Tampa’s new Owner/Managing Director. You have entrusted us with your life’s journey and challenges; and, therefore, I want to assure you during this exciting transition that your services will go as normal.

After 16 years of serving the community, I wanted to seek out the right professional who really understands the heart behind the vision and mission of the practice; one who truly appreciates the value of our service and provides able leadership with an eager capability of future potential as well.

Emotional and Spiritual Well-being During COVID-19

Emotional and Spiritual Well-being During COVID-19

A lot is going on right now with the COVID-19, and it seems like it is creating a lot of anxiety and worry in regards to health, finances, relationships, etc. Is it really creating anxiety or just revealing what already exists beneath the surface? We can often arrange our lives in a way to cover up our fears, and we are addicted to control. As a part of my counseling training, I was required to attend Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, and Al-Anon meetings. I found it interesting in the meetings that the family members of alcoholics typically liked the alcoholic in their life better when they were drinking. Why? The real person is revealed when they don’t have the alcohol to cover up whatever they’re using alcohol to cope for. We use control to cover a lot of what we are dealing with and pretend everything is ok.

Grieving a Loved One

Grieving a Loved One

Grief can be an overwhelming feeling of sadness, depression, anger, and happiness all in one. We all grieve differently; some have lost loved ones, some have recently been healing from a broken heart, and others grieve someone who hasn't even passed yet. Typically, we think of grief coming after death, but it often comes long before death arrives. When the likelihood of death is presented, we often start the grieving process.

Managing Social Media

Managing Social Media

In a podcast I was recently listening to, the guest compared the invention of social media to the invention of fire. Back in the day when fire was discovered, I’m sure folks were totally amazed but also had to learn how to control and contain it. It seemingly had great benefits but without some boundaries it could easily become all consuming and even destructive. Sound about right? As we enter into the summer and possibly have some extra time on our hands, let’s consider some practical ways to manage our social media usage.

Understanding Accelerated Resolution Therapy

Understanding Accelerated Resolution Therapy

As a licensed mental health counselor I am consistently seeking to learn the best ways to help clients through whatever hardship they may be facing. A friend and fellow colleague in the field approached me about attending a training to become certified in an evidenced based approach to counseling and I couldn’t have been more excited! I’d heard about ART for several years, having had worked with the addictions population and also with trauma, and it had always been highly recommended.