Melissa Plantz, Valencia Christian Counseling

Common Signs of a Toxic Relationship

Common Signs of a Toxic Relationship

Melissa Plantz2025-08-30T08:01:43+00:00August 30th, 2025|Couples Counseling, Featured, Individual Counseling, Relationship Issues|

Toxic relationships are more common than you may think. As many as one in four women and one in three men have experienced a toxic relationship. These unhealthy relationships can create lasting emotional scars, making it difficult for the person to move on and trust others. Knowing the common signs of a toxic relationship can help you recognize and acknowledge if you are in an unhealthy situation. 5 Common Signs of a Toxic Relationship Knowing the signs of a toxic relationship can save you heartache later. You can end the relationship before marriage if you recognize the red flags early. Don’t despair if you didn’t see the signs before marriage. Many abusers are adept at hiding their nature until they feel they have you under control. Sometimes, their manipulation tactics start small and grow over the years. There are signs that are common to a toxic relationship. An Abuser Becomes Jealous and Controlling Easily Isolation keeps their victims from gaining confidence and seeking help. Abusers will project their own insecurities and fears onto you. If your significant other was abandoned or neglected as a child, they may project that onto you. If your abuser cheats, they may accuse you of flirting or having an affair. An Abuser Talks About You Behind Your Back To maintain control, an abuser may spread lies about you behind your back or, tell people you are crazy or have anger issues. They need to be the focus of attention and often do this by playing the victim and making you the abuser. They must keep you from learning about their lies and may keep you from other people, especially their friends and coworkers. An Abuser Makes Demeaning and Critical Comments An abuser may criticize you for everything and make demeaning comments. They may outright [...]

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What to Expect from Group Counseling in Valencia

What to Expect from Group Counseling in Valencia

Melissa Plantz2025-04-11T05:04:37+00:00April 11th, 2025|Featured, Group Counseling|

Group counseling, a powerful tool for addressing various issues, is often a mystery to many. However, rest assured that a professional counselor guides you. This expert will pose thought-provoking questions and offer suggestions, both for individuals and the group as a whole, fostering a secure and supportive environment. Group counseling in Valencia, California is not a one-size-fits-all approach. The format, focus, and activities tailored to the group’s specific topic, the participants’ needs, and the counselor’s expertise, making each session unique. Types of Group Counseling The following is a list of a few of the types of group counseling: Support groups Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) groups Process groups The counseling center you choose may employ several more types for their clients. The good news is that group counseling, either in person or virtually, is available for many topics. The following is a list of topics you may cover in group counseling. The activities will vary in topics and participants. Physical, mental, or sexual abuse Substance abuse Alcohol addiction Addiction to pornography Addiction to gambling Eating disorders Grief and loss Marriage counseling Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Trauma Relationship issues Depending on the subject, the group may meet once weekly or biweekly. The counselor may ask participants to check in with them daily or weekly outside the group. Common Group Counseling Activities Group counseling activities allow participants to work together, share, and learn from what has worked in the past and what has not. Activities will vary based on the topic and the group. The following is a list of common activities you may encounter at the center or in online group counseling. Visualization The counselor may lead the group through guided imagery. Visualization can help people see how they wish to be or can be a way to release tension. If relevant [...]

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Do You Need a Certified Life Coach?

Do You Need a Certified Life Coach?

Melissa Plantz2025-03-11T17:54:39+00:00August 29th, 2024|Coaching, Featured, Individual Counseling, Personal Development, Professional Development, Spiritual Development|

In a world of constant changes and transitions, you don’t have to navigate it alone. While friends and family can be a great source of support, there are limitations. They may offer advice that isn’t always helpful or overlook issues that could hinder your progress. This is where a certified life coach can step in. A certified life coach is an expert in a particular area based on their own experiences. Unlike a counselor or therapist, a certified life coach does not diagnose or treat mental health conditions. Instead, they focus on posing questions, active listening, and suggesting steps to help you reach your goals. Why you should consider a certified life coach. A life coach can be anyone who uses their skills, past experiences, and successes to help others reach their goals in the same area of expertise. The industry for life coaches is unregulated, but a certified life coach has the added advantage of having taken the required training and learned skills to communicate effectively with various people. Valencia Christian Counseling offers faith-based guidance to help individuals grow and achieve their goals with clarity and purpose. If you plan to make a major change in your life or see if it is possible, a certified life coach can help you get started. You can find a coach in just about any industry. For example, if you are trying to lose weight and get healthy after years of dieting, a certified life coach in the health and wellness arena could help you set goals, choose one goal to focus on, and create a plan. As you progress toward your goal, the life coach supports you by checking in and helping you reassess and adjust, as necessary. What a certified life coach could do for you You want to [...]

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Easy Stress Management Activities

Easy Stress Management Activities

Melissa Plantz2025-03-15T05:34:03+00:00May 26th, 2023|Coaching, Featured, Individual Counseling, Personal Development|

Stress is a part of our daily lives. You may have everything scheduled, and then overwhelming tasks and responsibilities will stress you out, or an emergency will derail your plans. Whether the stress is acute or chronic, the pressure can lead to physical, emotional, and mental challenges. On top of that, your relationships can suffer. For all of these reasons you may need to implement stress management into your routine. Sometimes, implementing stress management activities can stress you out even more. Perhaps that’s because what you tried before were activities that seemed too structured. On the other hand, it could be that what works great for one person isn’t necessarily the best stress-reducing activity for another person. For example, your friend might play golf to relax, but the mere thought of putting the ball into eighteen holes stresses you out. Valencia Christian Counseling can help you find personalized, faith-based strategies to manage stress in a way that works best for you. Everyone is different, and your stress management activities should reflect your personality and be something you enjoy. Eight easy stress management activities Why make stress management activities stressful? That certainly does not work when it comes to lowering cortisol (stress hormone) levels or calming your fight-or-flight response. Stress is a natural reaction, but our minds translate events like deadlines and overdue bills as threats. In addition, long-term stress can result in chronic inflammation, which researchers have found is behind various physical and mental conditions. The following is a list of stress-busting, easy activities you can do today. Note the ones you want to try and schedule them into your day. Even a five or ten-minute break can make all the difference. Start walking. Walking is an easy activity you can do at your own pace. As you walk, [...]

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Melissa Plantz

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