Emotional Wholeness
Types of Loneliness and the Importance of Facing It
No one wants to feel lonely. And yet, every single person does. Loneliness, along with anxiety, is one of the most basic realities of being human. Facing your loneliness takes courage. And, it’s important to understand different types of loneliness, so that you can get on the right path toward meaningful connection. Even before the...
How to Deal with Grief Using 2 Helpful Guidelines
“I don’t want to be with you anymore,” he said over dinner. “I’ve met someone else.” My client, Tasha, was reeling from the news that her husband wanted a divorce. Over the next few months, her mind spun as she second-guessed every move she’d made in her short-lived marriage and wrestled with how to deal...
Overcoming Guilt: 3 Ways to Live Guilt Free
Many women struggle with overcoming constant feelings of guilt. The lingering voice of guilt can feel like an ever-present companion: You’re not giving your kids enough attention. You’re late. Now, your colleague will have to pick up your slack. You’re neglecting your friends. What about your mom? Dad? Sister? Grandparent? They need you. Overcoming guilt...
Fear in the Bible and 4 Ways to Address It
Fear is one of the most common human emotions. And, it is one of the most common emotions mentioned in the Bible. Some of the biggest heroes of faith struggled with fear in the Bible. It’s an expected and healthy human response to a range of events from violence and oppression to rejection and personal...
The Danger of Being a People Pleaser
“What is the danger of being a people pleaser?” my client asked angrily one day. “Isn’t pleasing people kind and helpful? Isn’t that how God wants us to be?” Kathleen had come to me for help with her depression. She was exhausted, lonely, and felt guilty all the time. Before long, it became clear to...
An Emotional Healing Process Everyone Should Know
Everyone deals with painful emotions from time to time. You might struggle with anger, envy, fear, or guilt. These emotions might be related to a current experience, or they might be emotions you have struggled with for a very long time. Regardless, it’s possible to engage an emotional healing process on your journey toward wholeness....
Church Hurt and 4 Steps for Healing
Have you ever experienced “church hurt”? As a counselor, I’ve seen the various wounds that people experience from unhealthy leaders while attending church. Here are some examples of church hurt: • A single mom whose church promised to stand by her, then disappeared after she got a divorce from her abusive husband • A kind-hearted...
How to Control Anger Outbursts in 5 Steps
Nothing can improve your relationship more than learning how to control anger outbursts. For example, do you find yourself losing your temper with your loved ones? Do you yell at your kids more often than you’d like to admit? Or, do you get resentful towards your spouse and lash out with sarcastic remarks? You might...
The Effects of Toxic Parents and 5 Steps to Healing
The effects of toxic parents take root in childhood. But, the problems aren’t always identified until well into adulthood. Toxic parents can create situations where a child is overly criticized, devoid of affirmation, explicitly controlled, or put in an unfair role of caring for the adults. You were hardwired to love the people who raised...
Ask Alison: How do I set boundaries with anxiety?
Question: I feel anxious all the time. My friends tell me that I just need to trust God more, but it doesn’t help. How can I stop feeling so anxious? (Patrice H.) Answer: Let’s talk boundaries with anxiety, because I understand how you feel. First of all, remember that fear is a common emotion. A...
How to Strengthen Your Love
Love makes the world go around. But, it can also make your world feel like it has come crashing to a halt when things are hard. That is why it’s so important to strengthen your love by working at it each step of the way. Almost every day in my work of counseling, the topic...
Healing Toxic Self Condemnation
The voice of toxic self-condemnation can still get loud in my head, even after years of “knowing better”. This toxic voice says: —”It’s selfish to consider your own wants and needs.” —”It’s wrong to cultivate your talents or pursue your dreams.” —”You should never consider yourself in any decision you make.” —”You should always sacrifice....
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