One of the most challenging, yet often overlooked family transitions is learning to relate to your son or daughter as an adult rather than as a child. Both parents and adult children often discover that although life has changed, their relationship patterns have not.

Human nature, especially when feeling anxious or threatened, tends to look outside of ourselves. We look to other people and other circumstances to explain what must be causing our distress. We also assume many things without really stopping to question those assumptions. This way of interacting with our problems becomes automatic. It’s often how the brain works when it feels unsafe.

Imposter syndrome is often rooted in thinking that everyone around you is highly aware of your lack of qualification. By looking at the actual reality of the situation it will often be revealed that you are exactly where you should be according to your credentials. Being honest about your capabilities should allow you to have confidence in your position as it is a reflection of all you have worked so hard to accomplish up until this point.

Many couples who come to therapy report difficulties with communication. Common sentiments include, “he doesn’t listen to me”, “she always speaks for me”, and “we just need to learn how to communicate better.” The assumption many couples make is if they could just find the right words to say, then they would be able to hear each other and communicate. This idea leads the struggling couple to seek out advice from an expert.

In marriage, it can feel like we fight about everything—and sometimes about nothing that really matters. Many couples are surprised to find that it’s possible to have a fairly intense conflict over something small and ordinary. In most conflicts, the process matters more than the content. Even when the subject seems simple or non-essential, a lot of distress can get stirred up in our nervous system. Once that happens, the conflict escalates and we become dysregulated.

We were created for community but at times our internal narratives or heightened expectations keep us from fully experiencing it. Therapy is a helpful tool for individuals experiencing these kinds of burdens who need the encouragement to engage with their relationships in a way that brings emotional freedom.

Healing from a past abortion is a delicate process. Many women push down their feelings because they fear that opening that wound will feel overwhelming. Instead of healing, they often learn to survive and live with anxiety, depression, or emotional numbness fueled by guilt and shame. This unresolved pain becomes an undercurrent that can quietly affect many areas of life, including relationships, faith, self-worth, and emotional well-being.