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Christian Counseling for College Students in Tampa, FL: Your Guide to Finding the Right Therapist

College can be a challenging time for many students. It’s a place where major decisions are made, friendships are formed, and a lot of times, struggles are encountered. For Christian college students, dealing with those struggles can be even more difficult. You may be questioning your faith, struggling with relationships, or feeling overwhelmed by the pressures of school. But, there is hope. Christian counseling can provide the support you need during this season of life. In this blog post, we’ll provide a guide to finding the right Christian therapist in Tampa, FL.

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Chris Thayer Chris Thayer

Counseling for Teens in Tampa, FL

If you are looking for counseling for teens to help improve their difficulties in life as they transition into adulthood, then you have come to the right place. We are here to help you in a supportive way for your teen and their growing needs in this life stage. Feel free to contact us for more information. Or, schedule an appointment with one of our counselors today.

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Chris Thayer Chris Thayer

How to Effectively Communicate Your Expectations for Therapy with Your Counselor

Entering into therapy can be intimidating for anyone, especially if there is a lack of clarity or understanding about what to expect from the process. As a client, it may be important for you to share certain expectations and values that are central to your faith and personal beliefs. However, communicating these expectations to your counselor may not always be easy. In this blog post, we will explore some helpful strategies for communicating your expectations for therapy with your counselor in order to ensure that you have a positive and effective counseling experience.

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Understanding Accelerated Resolution Therapy

Accelerated Resolution Therapy, often referred to as ART, is a form of psychotherapy with roots in existing evidence-based therapies but shown to achieve benefits much more rapidly (usually within 1-5 sessions). Clients suffering from trauma and other mental health problems such as Anxiety, Depression, Phobias, Panic Attacks, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Addictions/ Substance Abuse , Performance Anxiety, Family Issues, Victimization/Poor Self Image, Victimization/Sexual Abuse, Relationship Issues/Infidelity, Codependency, Grief, Job Related Stress, Pain Management, Memory Enhancement and many other mental and physical conditions can experience remarkable benefits starting in the first session.

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Chris Thayer Chris Thayer

Understanding Medication for Mental Health Issues

The use of medication to help with mental health symptoms is more common than you may think.  Every year about 1 in 4 adults have a diagnosable mental health issue. In the same year about 1 in 5 use medication to help address these issues. The use of medications and reasons to use medications vary from person to person.  For some people, medication can be a valuable and even necessary tool in treating mental health issues. In this blog post, we will discuss when medication for mental health issues are appropriate.

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Chris Thayer Chris Thayer

Managing Anxiety as a College Student

College is an exciting time in our lives, but it can also be overwhelming. Balancing academics, extracurricular activities, and social life can cause anxiety. As a college student, you may encounter various sources of stress, such as academic pressure, financial difficulties, homesickness, peer pressure, and relationship issues. These sources of stress can lead to anxiety, which can affect your mental health, academic performance, and personal life. However, managing anxiety is possible with the right tools. Let’s explore some effective strategies for managing anxiety as a college student.

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Chris Thayer Chris Thayer

From a Child Therapist: How to Help Your Child with Bullying at School

Bullying is a serious problem that affects many children. Recent studies show that around 20% of students nationwide ages 12-18 reported being bullied. It can lead to anxiety, depression, and even suicide in extreme cases. As a parent, it can be difficult to see your child go through this pain and not know how to help. Here are some ways you can support your child if they experience bullying at school.

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Chris Thayer Chris Thayer

New Book Release By Our Very Own Dr. Shanon Roberts!

Dr. Shanon Roberts is an author, speaker, and Christian Faith-Based Marriage Repair Expert who helps couples reconnect their intimate bond and save their marriage. Her soon-to-be-released book, Naked and Exposed: Learning to Love Well Using the Intimacy for Life Method™ in Your Marriage is for couples who want to create a deep and lasting intimate marriage bond.

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Chris Thayer Chris Thayer

A Path to Healing: How to Decide Between Individual or Marriage Counseling in Tampa, FL

There are many buzzwords around what is healthy versus unhealthy in committed relationships. More and more partners are researching and understanding these terms. Labels such as narcissist, gaslighter, misogynist, borderline, alcoholic/addict, and abusive are now commonly used words to define unhealthy behavior dynamics in intimate relationships. While some of these terms speak to a “clinical” term requiring professional assessment and diagnosing, they do speak to the grouping of symptoms that can severely interfere with safe interactions within a marriage that is supposed to build vulnerability and an intimate bond. Professional marriage therapists should be seasoned with identifying attributes, when present, that are contra indicators of not entering couples counseling. At least not immediately.

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Chris Thayer Chris Thayer

3 Reasons Why Prioritizing Your Mental Health As A College Student Is Crucial

College life can be an exciting time filled with new experiences, challenges, and growth opportunities. It also comes with its fair share of challenges though. Amidst the academic pressures, social demands, and personal growth, one thing that often gets overlooked is one’s well-being. Here are three reasons why taking care of your mental health as a college student is crucial.

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Chris Thayer Chris Thayer

10 Activities in the Tampa Area to Cultivate Christian Mindfulness

Mindfulness at its core is the practice of choosing to focus on the present and “clear” out the noise from your head. Like anything, it can be misused but it does not automatically contradict the Christian faith. There is a way to practice mindfulness and to focus on the things above rather than worldly things and better connect with God. (Colossians 3:2)

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Chris Thayer Chris Thayer

From a Child Therapist: What to Do When Your Kid Melts Down in Public?

As a child therapist, one of the most common issues parents ask about is how to handle their child's meltdowns in public places. Whether it is a tantrum in the grocery store, at church, a meltdown at a family gathering, or in any public space, it can be a stressful experience for both parents and children. Here are a few strategies you can use to help prevent meltdowns and/or manage them if they do occur.

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Chris Thayer Chris Thayer

10 Tampa, FL Activities That Can Help You Cope and Heal From Trauma

Trauma can be a debilitating experience that affects your mind, body, and soul. While everyone copes with it differently, there are certain activities that have been proven to alleviate the symptoms of trauma. In Tampa, Florida, there are plenty of activities to engage in that can help you cope with trauma.

From exploring the outdoors to seeking professional help, here are 10 example activities that can be beneficial for survivors of trauma. Each suggestion is unique and caters to a variety of interests. Try them out and see if any help out in your journey of healing from trauma..

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Chris Thayer Chris Thayer

From a Child Therapist: How Do I Address My Child's Anxiety?

As a child therapist, I've worked with many parents who are struggling to help their child deal with anxiety. Anxiety is a normal part of childhood, but when it impacts a child's ability to function in daily life, it can feel hard for parents to know how best to help. In this blog post, I'll be sharing some tips and strategies for addressing your child's anxiety.

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Chris Thayer Chris Thayer

Overcoming the Fear and Avoidance of Trauma Triggers with Therapy

Traumatic experiences leave a lasting imprint in our minds and change the way we see the world.  These imprints cause some people to develop a fear of people, places, or objects associated with the traumatic event.  Having a reaction to a reminder of past trauma is called a trigger.  Triggers can cause significant stress and unrest in our lives. The pattern of staying away from social situations, specific memories, objects, places, or even smells, is called avoidance.  Avoiding triggers can lead to feelings of powerlessness and isolation. Today we will explore how therapy can help us overcome fear and avoidance of trauma triggers and regain control of our lives.

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Chris Thayer Chris Thayer

Unpacking Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms: Identify Behaviors You Need To Let Go Of

Trauma can be one of life's most difficult challenges to navigate. It can leave you feeling helpless, overwhelmed, and completely disconnected from others or even the world around you. Maladaptive behaviors, or unhealthy coping skills in nonprofessional terms, are behaviors we use to help us deal with challenging situations, perhaps because of trauma. Such coping skills can include substance abuse, unhealthy eating habits, and risky behaviors.

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