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4 Fun Tips to Help Kids Enjoy Moving into a New House

4 Fun Tips to Help Kids Enjoy Moving into a New House

Grace Mavindidze2025-03-13T06:57:23+00:00August 22nd, 2024|Christian Counseling for Children, Christian Counseling For Teens, Family Counseling, Featured|

Moving into a new house, a new state, or a new country is always challenging, and even more so for children. It is easy for kids to experience social anxiety due to the loss of familiarity and security that kids associate with home. One of the best ways to combat any anxiety associated with relocation is by restoring that sense of joy, peace, stability, and familiarity that they get from the home in other ways as they make the transition. Valencia Christian Counseling can provide support and guidance to help navigate this change with faith and confidence. The truth is that the family itself is the greatest source of familiarity a child has, rather than the physical structure of the house. However, it is harder for children to understand this and adapt to a new town and new home. Although moving means leaving loved ones behind, it’s important to keep your kids focused on the future and how much moving into a new house can be an exciting adventure! Handy hacks to make moving into a new house fun Use technology to paint a picture of where you’re going One of the best ways to catch the interest of kids these days is by using the one word they understand the most: technology. There are now hundreds of apps and sites that can help you paint a creative picture of your new house even before you move. For example, one of the coolest apps is Google Earth, a 3D program for visualizing Earth through satellite imagery. It allows you to zoom down to a street-level view of any place in the world in real time! Imagine the fun kids can have exploring their new home as if they were in their own video game. Help each kid create their [...]

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Surprising Facts about Anxiety and Panic Attacks that Everyone Needs to Know

Surprising Facts about Anxiety and Panic Attacks that Everyone Needs to Know

Grace Mavindidze2025-03-13T07:19:21+00:00July 5th, 2024|Anxiety, Featured, Individual Counseling, Men’s Issues, Women’s Issues|

Most of us have heard about anxiety or panic attacks and believe we know exactly what they mean. However, if you have never experienced those symptoms, you might be surprised and realize how little we know. I’m sure no one alive four years ago will ever forget where they were, what they did, who they were with, or how they felt when the world was rocked to the core by the catastrophic COVID-19 pandemic. To be honest, many of us initially ignored those first reports, alerts, and warnings, chalking them off to media gimmicks and overdramatization. Valencia Christian Counseling offers support for those still processing the emotional and mental impact of this life-altering event. Remember, none of us had experienced a pandemic before in our lifetime, so the concept was rather foreign to us. Seemingly overnight, we all realized that we knew someone who was sick, hospitalized, had lost someone, or had lost their lives. Millions of people experienced anxiety or panic attacks, much to their surprise. Fact 1: Even the strongest can have anxiety or panic attacks As dreadful as the situation can be, many can convince themselves that they are the strong ones emotionally, invulnerable to attack. Even while helping others, organizing things for the community, or being the face of strength and reliability, people can still have a panic attack. One such woman reports being a community leader and being taken by surprise by a panic attack. She reports the memories of the day are still crystal clear in her mind. She remembers waking up feeling like she had fallen into moving water with a strange, wave-like feeling. She kept getting intense chest pains that would grip her suddenly and subside within a few minutes. She was shaking and sweating profusely. Her heart was racing and [...]

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3 Important Questions to Ask Before Marriage

3 Important Questions to Ask Before Marriage

Emmah Machokoto2025-03-13T07:23:53+00:00June 12th, 2024|Couples Counseling, Featured, Premarital Counseling, Relationship Issues|

The idea of marriage is exciting for many people, long before getting into a relationship. In part, this is because marriage can be overly idealized and romanticized in the mainstream media. Much of the media portrays marriage as almost fairytale-like, from an almost unrealistic perspective. Marriages in most movies are preceded by a big fancy wedding where the relationships are almost perfect and effortless. Presented like this, it’s not surprising that most of us want and expect that unrealistic standard in our relationships and marriages. In the United States, the sobering statistics are that fifty percent of first-time marriages end in divorce. This is contrary to what the media portrays. Marriage is not easy and takes a lot of commitment, effort, and work. There are fights in marriage and financial challenges. People change over time. A lifelong marriage requires two committed people to get into an authentic and candid relationship with each other for it to be rewarding and fulfilling. Valencia Christian Counseling provides faith-based guidance to help couples navigate challenges and build strong, lasting marriages. 3 Important Questions to Ask Before Marriage The decision to get married is one of the biggest decisions you will make in life, so it is important to give it the consideration that it deserves. Here are three important questions to ask before marriage. 1) Am I ready for marriage? Society sometimes puts unwarranted pressure on people of a certain age to get married. Questions are asked and hints are given. It gets worse when the people in your circles start getting married one by one and you are the only one left without that ring on your finger. While societal pressure does get too much, it is much easier to deal with that than the effects of an unhappy marriage. Before getting [...]

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Anger in the Book of Proverbs

Anger in the Book of Proverbs

Wade Van Staden2025-03-13T07:37:32+00:00May 29th, 2024|Anger Issues, Featured, Individual Counseling, Relationship Issues, Spiritual Development|

The Bible offers much wisdom when it comes to understanding emotions and mental health. Proverbs, especially, has a lot to say on the topic of anger. The timeless truths in the book of Proverbs are well worth unpacking and examining because many apply to the situations we face today. A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger - Proverbs 15:1, NIV We must all face conflict at some point in our lives. This can be a scary thing for many of us, especially those who grew up in homes that never experienced shouting, harsh words, or arguments. Valencia Christian Counseling can help you develop healthy communication and conflict-resolution skills rooted in faith and understanding. A benefit of being conflict-avoidant is that gentle communication is often the very thing that de-escalates a fiery exchange. Answering an angry person softly and being gentle with your words will catch the person off-guard and create space for calmer communication. Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city - Proverbs 16:32, NIV It can feel empowering to vent anger because doing so will often get results. For example, bosses often express their anger at employees because they are in a position of power and may get away with it without losing their jobs. However, it will come at a cost. The atmosphere in the workplace will be affected, not to mention the mental health of the workers. Mature leaders know that valuing relationships is better for the longevity of business. The angry boss would do better to take time to investigate what frustrates him and communicate from a place of knowledge rather than anger. This principle applies to all types of relationships. Cool heads and patience will always prevail over outbursts [...]

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Taking New Territory: Navigating Transition, Relationships, and Boundaries

Taking New Territory: Navigating Transition, Relationships, and Boundaries

Kate Motaung2025-03-13T07:48:55+00:00April 29th, 2024|Featured, Individual Counseling, Relationship Issues|

Venturing into unfamiliar territory can be somewhat frightening, but it is part of a maturing believer’s evolution and transformation. As we discover more about the Lord we encounter who He has called and created us to be. In this, we come to rest and rely on Him as He winds our path out of familiarity and deeper into the unknown where faith alone sustains, helping us to set proper boundaries. Abram and Sarai experienced this as they sojourned through unfamiliar territory in search of a promised homeland. Having left most of their family except for Lot, Abraham’s nephew, they weren’t sure of all the future would produce. What they discovered was a handful of promises from the Almighty and a yearning for a city whose builder and maker was God (Hebrews 11:8, 10). Transition Abraham’s story is one that we all live in some way or another. Transitions are built into life’s landscape. As we traverse from one season into the next, we will separate from some places and some people while engaging with new ones. Sometimes, when we carry elements of our old life into new spaces, we find disagreement and a lack of fit. It demands that we respond by making another change. Otherwise, we can experience the discord that often ensues when we cling to what the Lord wants us to leave in the old season. Valencia Christian Counseling can provide guidance in navigating life transitions with faith and clarity. Territory Though he left the majority of his family, Abraham pivoted again. This time, it meant creating a boundary and separating his people, property, and possessions from Lot. When we first consider this, it can appear as if Abraham is being harsh in setting a boundary. If we read more closely, we will see that he [...]

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Bible Verses about Friendship and Community

Bible Verses about Friendship and Community

Caitlin Mallery2025-03-13T08:03:15+00:00April 22nd, 2024|Featured, Individual Counseling, Relationship Issues, Spiritual Development|

Looking for Bible verses about friendship and community? If so, this article is for you. Lack of friendship and a sense of community produces loneliness which is currently one of the greatest crises on both a national and international level. “The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared loneliness to be a pressing global health threat, with the US surgeon general saying that its mortality effects are equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.” As people become more transitory in their lives, work for large corporations from their dining rooms, and their social lives consist of scrolling social media, a life of loneliness is easy to slip into. However, both medical and psychological science have done a great deal of research on the importance of relationships in human beings. Valencia Christian Counseling offers support in fostering meaningful connections and overcoming loneliness through faith-based guidance. This is not just in terms of marital and familial relationships. A community of friends and neighbors supporting and caring for one another is vital in the truest sense of the word, life-giving. Not all relationships and friendships are equally intimate, but they should all offer something of value, whether it be a neighbor to watch your pets when you are away, weekly small groups or book clubs, or the larger community of a church. Bible Verses About Friendship and Community What Jesus said Jesus created a group of intimate friends to share in the work of the kingdom of God. And the identifying marker of that kingdom is loving one another. A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. – John 13:34-35, NIV Your brothers and sisters in [...]

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Tips for Preventing and Recovering from Teacher Burnout

Tips for Preventing and Recovering from Teacher Burnout

Caitlin Mallery2025-03-13T08:19:50+00:00March 29th, 2024|Featured, Individual Counseling, Professional Development|

When you decided to become a teacher you most likely had a passion, a fire if you will, for the career you wanted to embark on. It could have been passion for the topic you teach, passion for the students you could reach, or you were inspired by a teacher you had in your childhood. But today, that fire feels small, maybe even dead. You are struggling with mustering up even a little enthusiasm for the career you started. You may be struggling with teacher burnout. According to one Gallup survey, the rate of teacher burnout is 14% higher than in other industries. The ongoing challenges of larger classroom sizes, wages not meeting the cost of living, and dealing with many other stressors all lead to an increase in the reality and likelihood of teachers feeling burnt out in their jobs. Common signs of teacher burnout: Feeling emotionally exhausted. Feeling like they are not making a difference. Having negative thoughts about their job. Being cynical about their students or colleagues. Feeling isolated and alone. Having physical symptoms like headaches, nausea, or fatigue. If you recognize these signs in yourself that is a good thing, because then you can do something about it. Several things can help you recover from and prevent teacher burnout. Set boundaries It is important to set boundaries around your time and energy. This means not taking work home, limiting the number of extracurricular activities you participate in, and refusing to work with difficult students or colleagues. It is recommended that you do not give your personal phone number to students or parents. You don’t need to be available outside of your contracted hours to the school. Valencia Christian Counseling can help you establish healthy boundaries that protect your well-being while honoring your commitments. Take time [...]

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4 Issues Commonly Addressed in Family Counseling

4 Issues Commonly Addressed in Family Counseling

Kate Motaung2025-03-13T08:48:36+00:00January 4th, 2024|Christian Counseling for Children, Christian Counseling For Teens, Family Counseling, Featured|

The family that we are born into or adopted into affects every aspect of our lives. The nature of the home environment has a significant impact on an individual’s future trajectory. While God designed the family to be a place of unconditional love and support, where children can experience security and emotional closeness, the family unit looks a little different in a fallen world, sometimes making family counseling necessary. Valencia Christian Counseling offers faith-based family counseling to help restore harmony and strengthen relationships. Even the most loving, Christ-centered families will navigate problems, and, regardless of where you find yourself on the continuum, biblical family counseling can be a valuable tool in creating a platform for feelings to be aired and discussed. 4 Issues Commonly Addressed in Family Counseling For Christian families, biblical family counseling provides a space where a trained counselor can use tried-and-tested counseling techniques with God’s Word as a foundation. There will also be an opportunity to pray and be prayed for. This is a wonderful gift that believers have as they deal with life on this side of heaven. Some common problems addressed in family counseling include: 1. Communication issues. Communication, being able to speak one’s thoughts, listen to another’s response, and respond appropriately, is an essential skill that can prevent arguments and disagreements from escalating into anger and unproductive interactions. The inability to communicate effectively is one of the primary reasons for marital division. If spouses are unable to master this skill, poor communication likely pervades throughout the family. Family counseling is an excellent place to help develop more effective ways to talk to one another. God’s Word in James 1:19 reminds us, “Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger. This is the starting point for effective communication habits. [...]

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Three Common Teenage Problems

Three Common Teenage Problems

Jennifer Kooshian2025-03-13T09:02:01+00:00November 20th, 2023|Christian Counseling For Teens, Family Counseling, Featured, Individual Counseling|

A lot of water has passed under the bridge since most of us were teenagers. Time, technology, and culture have moved on, and while some teenage problems have not changed, many of them have. Three common teenage problems parents need to understand. A teenager’s stage of life is often characterized by the changes in their body and mind as they mature from childhood into adulthood. This brings several physical and psychological changes that the teenager needs to navigate. While teenagers want independence from their parents and families it is not realistic to expect that they can decouple themselves from the necessary support of their parents and family unit. However, even supported by parents and siblings who love them, various teenage problems are almost unavoidable. Valencia Christian Counseling offers guidance to help families navigate the challenges of adolescence with faith and understanding. Peer pressure. Having a personal device means that the content that is sent to the teen, or that they access, is immediately accessible at any time. Take sexting for example. While research is ongoing in this field, some researchers have found that there are primarily four reasons why adolescents become involved in sexting: flirting to attract a potential partner, expressing their sexuality with their romantic partner, experimenting with sexuality and identity, as well as a reaction to pressure from either their romantic partner or friends to conform to perceived normal behavior. Many teens do not understand the possible life-long impact of sharing explicit photos of themselves. It is the responsibility of parents to equip children with the skills to make healthy choices in these common situations. School problems. Did you know that in the US one in twenty-five high school students drop out each year? Researchers find that a high school dropout has a high likelihood of earning [...]

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The Definition of Trauma

The Definition of Trauma

Kate Motaung2025-03-15T04:04:06+00:00November 13th, 2023|Featured, Individual Counseling, Trauma|

Words matter. Using the wrong word to describe something may mislead someone in terms of finding the appropriate help for a problem. It’s also possible to minimize a serious problem by either using the wrong word or by using the correct word inappropriately. When that happens (such as with the definition of trauma), you may not get the help you need because the situation may not seem serious enough to warrant it. One such word that needs to be understood properly is “trauma.” In everyday interactions, people sometimes say they were traumatized by something when perhaps it may be more accurate to say they felt embarrassed or slightly uncomfortable because of the situation. That can have the unintended effect of minimizing trauma. Valencia Christian Counseling provides compassionate support for those who have experienced true trauma, helping them find healing and restoration. On the other hand, it may be difficult for someone to acknowledge that an experience they had was traumatic or that they suffered trauma. The word can carry heavy connotations that the individual wishes to avoid for one reason or another. However, if you’ve experienced trauma, it’s important to receive appropriate care. What is the definition of trauma? With all that in mind, what is the definition of trauma? One way to understand the definition of trauma is that it describes any type of distressing event or experience that a person undergoes that can have an impact on their ability to cope and function in everyday life. Many people experience some kind of traumatic event in their lifetime, whether it’s undergoing a life-threatening illness, experiencing the unexpected death of a loved one, or being involved in an accident. The kind of impact trauma can have on a person can be either emotional, physical, or psychological. According to the [...]

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