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Counseling,
That Restores

Counseling that Restores is a specialized counseling service that focuses on restoring the emotional, mental, and psychological well-being of individuals. With a team of trained and experienced counselors, they provide a safe and comfortable space where clients can open up about their struggles and receive tailored support. 

The service offers a range of approaches, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, trauma-informed care, and mindfulness-based therapy, among others, to help clients overcome their challenges and live meaningful and fulfilling lives.

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Joshua Vallejos

6+ years experience

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About
Counseling That Restores

Are you struggling with personal or relationship issues? Our counseling service is here to help you work through life’s challenges and find peace of mind. Our experienced counselors specialize in a variety of areas, including anxiety, depression, grief, and couples therapy. We use evidence-based techniques to help you identify and address the root causes of your struggles, and provide a safe and supportive environment for you to explore your feelings and thoughts. Our ultimate goal is to help you develop the tools and skills you need to navigate life’s difficulties and live a more fulfilling and happy life. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and take the first step towards a better tomorrow.

Our Services

Marriage counseling

Marriage Counseling

Couples counseling

Couples Counseling

Managing Loneliness

greif counseling

Grief
Counseling

Depression

Depression Counseling

Anxiety Counseling

eating disorder

Eating
Disorders

Anger Management

Domestic Abuse Counseling

Telecounseling

Our Staff

Joshua Vallejos

Joshua grew up just outside Louisville, KY. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in counseling and his Master’s degree in Biblical and Pastoral studies. He has been counseling professionally for over six years. It is his delight to see weary, burdened people take the brave step into and through the counseling process. As they do, Joshua has witnessed God do amazing things for their comfort, healing, and growth. 

Counseling can be challenging at times, but Joshua approaches it in a supportive way, knowing how to help each individual and couple navigate the challenges at their own pace.

Brittany Hicks

Brittany grew up in Central Florida. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Outdoor Ministry through Montreat College and her Masters in Biblical Counseling from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. She is passionate about helping individuals thrive in life and ministry for the long haul. Brittany desires to walk with others through suffering and the struggles of everyday life by helping them to know themselves and find hope and healing through Christ. Brittany and her husband served as missionaries in Cambodia, and they desire to connect others to God’s work in the nations by effectively equipping and supporting ministry workers. Brittany enjoys coffee, the outdoors, reading, and quality time with friends.

Evan Skelton

Evan Skelton (Mdiv, Denver Seminary) currently serves as the Associate Pastor of The Journey Bayless Church as well as an Adjunct Instructor at Missouri Baptist University, and he is pursuing a Formation Certificate through the CCEF School of Biblical Counseling. Evan and his wife, Grace, have been married for 13 years and are loving the adventure of raising their four children in South County St. Louis. When they catch their breath, you will find them drinking lots of coffee, sharing life with others in their home, renovating something, and often playing a board game.

How does it work?

1

Identity What Your Struggling With

Identifying struggles: step back, reflect, seek feedback, be honest about strengths/weaknesses.

2

Reach Out For A Free Consultation

Our team offers a safe and supportive environment to help you overcome mental health challenges. We empower you to feel better and offer a free consultation to get to know you, understand your needs, and answer therapy questions.

3

Meet Your Therapist

Meeting your therapist can be an opportunity to work through your emotions and challenges with a trained professional in a safe and supportive environment.

4

Begin Your Restoration Journey

Beginning your therapy journey can be a daunting experience, but it is a brave and important first step towards achieving emotional well-being and finding the support you need to navigate life's challenges.

What Our Clients Are Saying

"Highly recommend Counseling that Restores for a unique and holistic approach to mental health. Friendly staff takes time to listen and uses various techniques, including talk therapy, mindfulness exercises, and art therapy. Helped me understand myself better and cope with triggers."

Theo James

"I thank Counseling that Restores for their support during my difficult time. My therapist created a safe and comfortable environment to discuss my problems. Their approach is compassionate, evidence-based, and individualized. They helped me identify root causes and develop effective strategies. They prioritize healing and restoration. I recommend Counseling that Restores for mental health challenges."

Emilia Munro

"Counseling that Restores was transformative and effective in managing my anxiety and depression. The counselor was knowledgeable, compassionate, and equipped me with practical tools. They combined evidence-based techniques with a holistic approach, creating a safe and respectful environment in which to share my experiences. Highly recommended for mental health support."

Branden Griffiths

we’re here for you

Whether it’s for your mental, physical health, relationships, or any other aspect, we’re here to support you. The journey may seem daunting but remember you are not alone. Restoration is a process, not an event, so be patient and celebrate small victories along the way. Take it one day at a time and don’t hesitate to ask for help. You are stronger than you think and we can get started now!

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Make A Donation

Making a donation to Counseling that Restores is a meaningful way to support the mental health of those in need. Counseling that Restores is a non-profit organization that offers affordable counseling services to individuals, couples, and families with limited financial means. By making a donation, you can help fund the cost of therapy sessions for those who may not otherwise be able to access these important services. Your donation can also be used to support the training of new therapists and the creation of outreach programs that work to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health. By making a contribution to Counseling that Restores, you can make a significant difference in the lives of those who are struggling with mental health challenges.

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Marriage Counseling

While falling in love and getting married might appear to be simple, the hard part is maintaining a marriage. Having children, struggling with money, working long hours, overcoming personal issues, and understanding how to manage the ups and downs of life can put distance between your marriage and the source of love, Himself: God. 

It is no wonder that over 40% of marriages end in divorce. Although many couples aren’t meant to be together – some people simply grow apart or realize they are incompatible – many couples fail to keep their relationships because they don’t have the spiritual tools to manage their problems.

Restoration Counseling can provide you with the support and guidance you need to tackle the difficult situations your marriage may be facing. No issue is too big or too small for Jesus Christ to address. Continue reading for more information about this service we offer. 

What Is Marriage Counseling?

Marriage counseling enhances a couple’s bond by helping them to address their issues and strengthen their connection. This type of relationship therapy can also revitalize a bond and reinforce the reasons why a couple was brought together in the first place. A specialist in marital relationships leads this type of therapy. They are often called marriage counselors or couples therapists, and they have the skills and knowledge to assist married couples in achieving their objectives. 

Couples seeking marriage counseling come from all walks of life. Couples who have been married for 50 years and couples who have been married for two years are both candidates for this therapy. Couples seeking marriage counseling sessions may also participate in pre-wedding conversations to facilitate discussions. In all instances, the experts will listen to and try to grasp their individual and relationship concerns. 

Who Is Marriage Counseling For?

The nature of a relationship is determined by the various values, ideas, thoughts, and life experiences each person contributes. Although most marriages aren’t ideal, they don’t always lead to conflict. The saying ‘opposites attract’ applies to relationships and marriage. People who disagree with one another can, in fact, learn from each other.

However, relationships are tested when differences, which were once charming, become irritating as a result of time. Sometimes an extramarital affair or financial trouble triggers a problem in a relationship. Other times, a gradual reduction in communication and care causes problems.

Even if the root of the problem is unknown, relationship distress can lead to a wide range of issues, including undue stress, tension, sadness, worry, fear, and other difficulties. You may hope your relationship problems will just disappear on their own. However, if left untreated, a bad relationship might get even worse and eventually lead to physical or psychological issues such as depression. 

However, there are no restrictions on why you might seek marriage counseling. Any difficulty that you don’t feel you can solve on your own or want an objective, impartial perspective can be assisted by a few sessions of marital counseling. It is not exclusively for troubled couples. Couples who want to strengthen their bonds, gain a better understanding of one another, or strengthen their faith would undoubtedly benefit from marriage counseling. 

What Sort Of Issues Are Addressed In Marriage Counseling?

While every marriage is faced with its own unique obstacles, individuals who participate in marriage counseling often find that their relationship issues are, in fact, quite common. Our experienced marriage counselors work with spouses to improve common and complex issues, alike. Issues addressed in marriage counseling can include the following: 

● Lack of Trust or Infidelity – Infidelity is an insurmountable obstacle to surmount in a relationship. Your marriage counselor can help you address this problem. Your therapist will assist you in communicating about the infidelity and the resulting trust issues as well as determine what you need from one another in the future.

● Differing Values – Couples may disagree regarding significant values or beliefs, and these instances can cause them to part ways. However, if you’re married, you presumably knew about your conflicting values and beliefs before you said ‘I do.’ A counselor can assist you in locating common ground or creating a strategy for having beneficial discussions about your divergent viewpoints if you are in this situation.

● Stress – Every person experiences stress in their lives, but if it becomes excessive, it can damage relationships. If you or your spouse are battling with excessive amounts of stress at home or at work, couples therapy might be beneficial. In professional counseling, you may be able to identify your stressors and develop healthy responses to them in collaboration. If a specific partner is particularly burdened with stress, you may require one-on-one counseling. Family and marriage therapy may also be beneficial if the whole family is involved. 

● Poor Communication – Couples often encounter communication issues. A marriage counselor can help you and your spouse address conflict resolution and communication skills development. You and your spouse may also identify what subjects might trigger communication issues. For example, you may develop a plan to better handle conversations about topics you feel uncomfortable or reactive talking about.

Benefits Of Marriage Counseling?

While both Christian and secular marriage counseling attempt to help a couple overcome issues, you and your spouse might benefit from Christian marriage counseling and its unique advantages if you’re both Christians. Some of the many benefits include: 

● Spiritual Connection – Christian marriage counseling aims to enhance your connection with God, so you will be working on a spiritual level with your spouse. You may participate in Bible study groups, volunteer, attend more church services, and spend more time with God to address your marital issues.

● Practice Forgiveness – Since we ask God to forgive us for our transgressions every day, forgiveness is an important aspect of Christianity. Some secular therapists concentrate on the issues of the past, which may have occurred months or even years ago. In Christian marriage counseling, you are encouraged to free yourself of blame and focus on mutual forgiveness so that you may start fresh and wipe away all resentment. Even if your marriage is not perfect or if you have committed transgressions, you may still forgive and move forward with your life. While forgiveness is essential for recovery, you may still forgive and set boundaries. 

● Safe Space – No matter how blissful a couple may be, they must make the choice to commit to each other every day. With Christian marriage counseling, you may begin to address unresolved issues as you become closer to God. Your counselor and God are bound to you and will not divulge anything that takes place in sessions to the outside world. You may express any unhappiness or uncertainty you have during these sessions so that you may have a plan to strengthen your relationship with your spouse as well as with God.

Does Marriage Counseling Work?

According to the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), 98% of couples who receive marriage counseling report that their therapists are either “excellent” or “good.” In addition, 90% of patients report that their physical health improves as a result of marriage counseling, and two-thirds report that their emotional health improves. Furthermore, up to three-fourths of couples report that their relationships improve after they receive marriage counseling. 

How Much Does Christian Marriage Counseling Cost?

Restoration Counseling Center operates on a contribution basis, based on what each individual can give. Those seeking counseling should invest in their own treatment by contributing to Restoration Counseling Center for each 50-minute session of counseling, as long as you are able. In Western North Carolina, similar therapy is typically $75 to $125 per hour. Please consider what you can offer carefully and prayerfully. 

Restorative Counseling does not accept health insurance for counseling payments. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you’re looking for financial assistance. We will never turn anyone away for financial reasons. 

Strengthen Your Marriage with Restoration Counseling

When you choose Christian marriage counseling, you are taking a step in the right direction for your marriage. Through Christian marriage counseling, you will reconnect with your spouse and God. Here at Restorative Counseling, we provide Christian marriage counseling. We believe that life and its difficulties are temporary and that we will have an everlasting future without suffering. If you wish to begin Christian marriage counseling, please contact us today. We are here for you.

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Couples Counseling

Restoration Counseling is founded on Christian principles and looks at interpersonal problems through the lens of Scripture. We believe the Bible should be the primary source of information when addressing issues in your relationship and that the most valuable tool in therapy is the knowledge of the Word of God and the ability to apply His teachings to your daily life and relationships. 

Relationships play a primary role in our lives as humans. We seek out these connections with other people, which include coworkers, family members, friends, neighbors, perfect strangers, and romantic partners, for color, light, and life in our daily lives. The relationships we find in our chaotic lives are more important now than ever before and protecting and spiritually nurturing them when we find them is critical. 

Couples counseling may assist if you feel like your relationship could benefit from spiritual guidance and healing. Continue reading to learn more about couples counseling and how the experts at Restoration Counseling can help. 

What Is Couples Counseling?

Couples therapy is a type of relationship counseling in which both partners are treated by a trained professional. Couples therapists assist individuals in a romantic relationship to overcome relationship-related difficulties and improve their connection in order to become more satisfied with each other and their emotional or physical connection. Couples therapy is conducted by therapists who are interested in both partners’ personal difficulties and mutual concerns. Couples therapy is available at any stage of the relationship. It may be used to handle a variety of relationship problems, including intimacy-related problems, psychological detachment, disputes, infidelity, and other issues. 

How Does Couples Counseling Work?

The process of couples counseling typically begins like other forms of talk therapy. The counselor usually begins by interviewing the couple and asking about the history of their relationship. The counselor must gather information not only about the couple’s relationship but also about their backgrounds, values, and personality characteristics to assess the situation. As a result, you may be asked about your life outside the relationship as well. After the main problem is identified, the counselor develops treatment objectives and schedules sessions with the client.

Your therapist may have you do “homework” in the form of activities you and your partner can perform at home, and they may request your feedback at your next session. Some of these activities may include improving physical and emotional intimacy, developing communication abilities, getting to know one another better, establishing trust and collaboration, establishing room to function, learning how to handle issues, and more. 

Benefits of Couples Counseling

The advantages of relationship counseling will depend on the couple seeking assistance. The greater you and your partner invest in your connection, the greater the chance for success. The many advantages of participating in couples counseling include: 

● Gain Understanding – Couples therapy offers significant advantages, particularly if you want to grasp the inner workings of your connection. Is there a balance of power? Are you stuck in certain (negative) communication patterns? Do you frequently clash about a handful of common points of contention? How do you handle problems? By considering the answers to these queries and recognizing the dynamics of your partnership—both when it’s good and when it’s bad—you may be able to heal your connection and improve your connection.

● Safe Space – When we’re dealing with relationship conflict, it’s sometimes difficult to feel safe. To successfully handle issues, you must be willing to be open, vulnerable, and honest, which can be frightening. Couples therapy establishes a secure environment where boundaries are enforced by a neutral third party, who can intervene if necessary. In this way, you’ll be able to open up and communicate more effectively while still feeling secure.

● Resolve Issues – Achieving resolution on a problematic subject may be difficult when you and your partner are having trouble handling it. For example, maybe you disagree on whether or not to have children. Maybe you’re uncertain whether or not to make a big move. Buying a house might be one of the problems you are arguing over. Couples therapy might be able to assist if you and your partner are struggling to resolve a specific issue. Major decisions don’t always produce significant relationship issues. Arguments over laundry, dishes, and parental duties can all result in impassable barriers, as well as big life-changing events can. Couples therapy can help you uncover the real problem, confront it, and determine if you can overcome it.

● Learn Coping Skills – Despite the fact that no relationship is ideal, you and your partner must learn to navigate the tough spots. Having the right coping skills in place may help you and your partner get through these difficult periods. You may employ coping mechanisms and couples therapy tactics to handle stress, anger, sadness, or any other emotion that interferes with your relationship. You are setting up a future path by learning to deal with difficult times in your marriage or relationship. Although dealing with immediate relationship issues may be helped by effective coping skills, they also function as a guide for handling difficult times in the future.

● Rebuild Trust – People often seek counseling because they believe a relationship has lost trust. Infidelity, lack of honesty, financial struggles, and a variety of other reasons may lead to a loss of trust in a relationship. If trust is lacking, you may express it, explore how it was broken, work on forgiveness, and then establish new boundaries in therapy to begin the healing process. Rebuilding trust, although challenging, is not impossible. You can begin to establish a solid foundation to rebuild your relationship with the right tools.

Can Couples Counseling Save a Relationship?

Before starting couples counseling, you should have confidence in the process. After all, if couples counseling is not effective, investing yourself in it as a couple would be counterproductive. The good news— it is highly effective. 

When we’re involved in a relationship, we may become trapped in patterns and behaviors, and we may not see our situation clearly or recognize the part we play in its problems. By meeting with a seasoned and talented therapist in couples therapy, you will gain insight into how to improve your relationship. 

The majority of people who ask whether couple therapy is effective are really wondering whether it can save their relationship. As stated by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, 97.1% of surveyed clients reported that they received the help they required. Up to 80% said that couple therapy had a positive impact. You and your partner must both make an effort if you want therapy to be successful. With the help of a therapist, your relationship can develop a much stronger foundation as you work through issues together.

Couples Counseling at Restoration Counseling

If you believe you and your partner would benefit from couples counseling, we want to hear from you. Our team of Christian counselors is highly experienced in addressing a wide range of interpersonal issues and is eager to assist you. With our help, you and your partner will continue to walk in faith and build an even stronger relationship with each other and your spirituality.

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Managing Loneliness

Being alone does not always mean you’re lonely. People may choose to be alone and feel fulfilled without much social contact, but loneliness occurs when your need for satisfying social relationships and connections is unmet. Although loneliness is not always synonymous with being alone, you may still feel alone even if you have a lot of social contacts or are part of a family or relationship. Loneliness may have a damaging impact on your mental health, especially if you have felt lonely for a long time. It has been connected with a higher risk for certain mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, sleep problems, and increased stress. 

While there is no clinical diagnosis for loneliness, receiving individual Christian counseling can help you get through tough times, grow, and achieve better mental health. During times of mental health issues such as anxiety or depression, which can exacerbate loneliness, you may feel less lonely if you discuss your feelings in a supportive Christian counseling environment. 

Why Do You Feel Lonely?

We live in an age of instant information, where life is moving at a rapid pace. Despite the many advantages technology provides, it can also hinder us. We may be enticed to feel envious of those we see on social media. We may sit on our smartphones and chat with others rather than meet in person, resulting in a decline in social skills and a lack of social skills in some children. 

There are many factors that can contribute to feeling alone. Being single or a primary caretaker, for example, can make it difficult to connect with others, and there are many mental health issues that can cause you to feel lonely. Other factors could include: 

● Living alone – There is no one else around to talk to or exist with, so living alone can leave you feeling lonely.

● Grief – Despite the presence of many living loved ones around you, grief can leave you feeling lonely if you are dealing with grief after the death of a loved one.

● Distant from loved ones – Due to lifestyle changes, demands, or mental health issues, you may feel distant from family and friends—this can make you feel more withdrawn.

● Feel excluded – It’s difficult to know what to do when you don’t fit in. When you feel like you do not belong, you may feel isolated and alone.

How to Cope with Loneliness

According to a January 2020 survey of 10,000 adults by Cigna, 61% of respondents said they felt lonely. Despite the large number of adults who feel lonely in the United States, people don’t always disclose their loneliness or know what to do about it. No matter how lonely you feel, you can take practical, constructive steps to cope. Try practicing the following to feel more empowered and less lonely.

Practice Self-Care

It’s always a good idea to take care of yourself when you’re feeling down, but especially when you’re feeling lonely. Exercising, eating well, and getting enough sleep are all ways to take care of yourself. Exercise and socialization may be gained by taking a fitness class or joining a running club. 

Lean On Loved Ones

Why not get in touch with your friends more frequently, go out with them more often, and find other ways to enjoy your current relationships and develop bonds? You might be inspired to reach out to your loved ones if you start slowly. Think of just one supportive family member or buddy that you may contact. It’s also encouraging to know those supportive relationships are good for your mental health. 

Reach Out to New Groups

When you join a class or a club, you are instantly connected to a network of people who share your interests, whether it be an art class, an exercise class, or a book club. You can find out what local libraries and community colleges have to offer, as well as parks and recreation departments. Joining a class or club may also result in a sense of belonging, as joining a group encourages creativity, provides something to look forward to during the day, and combats loneliness. 

Stay Active and Busy

Investing time in your interests and hobbies can distract you from feeling lonely. Have you been putting off taking up a new hobby or home improvement project? Take time to invest in yourself and your interests, and keep your mind occupied in the process.

Seek Help for Your Loneliness

Meeting with a mental health counselor is one of the best methods for breaking free of loneliness and its underlying causes. Your mental health specialist can help you identify the factors behind your emotions. You may also be working with a mental health professional to address other issues surrounding your feelings. For example, if you’ve recently lost a family member or friend, you might be struggling with both loneliness and grief. Working with a compassionate counselor can help you through the healing process. 

Christian Counseling to Combat Loneliness

Even when they are part of a Christian community, it may be hard to assist someone who is lonely. If you or someone you know is battling loneliness, you may be curious as to how Christian counseling can help. As followers of Jesus, we are required to care for one another, and Jesus Himself gives us instructions on how we can assist somebody who is struggling with loneliness. 

It may be helpful to seek out a Christian therapist to assist you with addressing the underlying causes of your isolation and loneliness. Christian therapy can also assist you if you’ve been struggling to cope with being alone in a co-dependent relationship. If you were raised by abusive or neglectful parents, you might have experienced long-lasting trust issues and problems with intimacy. Working through your feelings with a Christian therapist can help you heal the wounds of the past and allow you to invest more in life as part of your church family. 

Restoration Counseling is Here to Relieve Your Loneliness

Loneliness has become an epidemic in our technology-oriented, individualistic culture, but you may escape its detrimental effects. Whether you deepen your relationship with God by spending more time with Him or seeking the assistance of a Christian therapist, you may prevent loneliness from controlling your life and stealing your enjoyment. 

Isolation from God, yourself, others, and even the natural world can leave you feeling helpless and hopeless. God’s seeming absence may seem deafening. With the assistance of a Christian counselor at Restoration Counseling, you may be able to find God’s voice in your life and reconnect with God, yourself, and others. Contact the experts at Restoration Counseling today to learn more about Christian counseling for loneliness.

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Grief Counseling

Grief is the natural reaction to losing someone you love. You may experience intense emotions or struggle with them when you are grieving. However, if you are weighed down by grief or feel like you cannot dig yourself out of the heap of sorrow, grief counseling may help. 

At Restoration Counseling, grief counselors combine faith, support, and guidance to assist you through the grieving process. The word of God is significant, and it can help you accept death and loss. 

What is Grief and Grief Counseling?

Grief is a normal response to any kind of loss, particularly the loss of a loved one. It goes far beyond simple sorrow and frequently evokes feelings of confusion, doubt, guilt, anger, and other complex feelings. Even with the help of a strong social support network and healthy coping skills, it may take months or years to accept the death of a loved one. Those finding it difficult to recover are assisted by grief counseling. 

Grief counseling, also known as bereavement counseling, aims to assist people in dealing with the death of a loved one. You can receive grief counseling to assist you in coming up with strategies and tactics to deal with your loss and grief during this difficult time. Individuals who have lost someone may seek out grief counseling to assist them in dealing with their feelings and emotions. Grief counseling is particularly helpful for those who have suffered a loss and whose grieving process interferes with their everyday activities, makes them feel guilty or depressed, makes it more difficult to live their own lives, or causes problems in their relationships. Professional counselors are there to help you with all life changes, and losing a friend or family member is a time where support services are very helpful. 

What is a Grief Counselor?

A grief and bereavement counselor’s primary objective is to help people deal with grief and maintain excellent mental health and wellness. Those who provide grief and bereavement counseling do not attempt to categorize or phase individuals into distinct groups, but rather, they pay attention and aid people in developing techniques and tools to cope with their specific symptoms of grief. 

The method of active listening is used in these situations. It is always important to be an empathetic listener when working with a client who is grieving. A client’s emotions and ideas may be expressed during this process, resulting in an understanding of what they are feeling and how they seem to be handling the loss.

Restoration Counseling offers professional grief and loss counseling with a biblical, faith-based perspective. During times of grief, an environment where your faith is affirmed and where any questions or doubts about life, faith, and loss are addressed with compassion, understanding, and biblical faithfulness is important. 

Types of Grief Counseling Services

The method by which one deals with grief is as unique as the manner in which one grieves. Grief therapy techniques provide a variety of approaches to dealing with loss. The best therapy or technique for a person is heavily contingent on numerous factors, particularly whether they are enduring grief (whether they are in a perpetual, chronic state of grief they cannot escape). A combination of grief therapy tools and approaches might be more successful in some instances. The following are common types of grief counseling: 

● Grief Support Groups – A grief support group may be of any shape or size. They may be focused on a particular type of loss or tragedy, or they may be more general. A therapist or religious leader may lead the session, or a trained volunteer may do so. Regardless of their position, the people in these groups have lost someone they care about and therefore have that in common. 

● Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy – Cognitive behavioral therapy is a psychotherapy method that helps you recognize and alter your negative thought patterns. This therapy is predicated on the principle that by learning to manage your negative thoughts and actions, you can improve your daily quality of life and health. CBT has been demonstrated in numerous studies to improve quality of life in addition to other types of therapy. 

● Acceptance and Commitment Therapy – While acceptance and commitment therapy encourages you to accept negative emotions and situations, it also helps you develop healthier patterns. Psychological flexibility is the process of accepting your emotions instead of running from them, feeling guilty about them, or avoiding them altogether. Psychological flexibility refers to being very present and in the moment. This type of therapy is particularly helpful during life transitions, such as dealing with loss.

● Complicated Grief Therapy – Complicated grief may result in feelings of hopelessness and intense, prolonged sorrow. Those who are dealing with it may become fixated on the person they lost or on the circumstances of their death. Acceptance and commitment therapy is often used in Complicated Grief Therapy.

How Grief Counseling Can Help

Grief counseling provides a non-judgmental, safe environment in which you can process your emotions. You’ll learn several critical coping abilities while grieving as part of counseling that will help you fully process previous and ongoing grief and loss. While you express your feelings, you’ll learn how to express them accurately and completely. During the grieving process, you’ll discover how to express everything you’re feeling, no matter what it might be. As you learn to express your emotions in more productive ways, you’ll feel increasingly comfortable with how you think and feel. 

Once you feel at peace with your loss and feel supported, you may begin to move forward with your Christian life. Your grief counselor will assist you in getting there. Your loved one has died, and now you will learn about God’s plan for your life. You will collaborate with your counselor to determine how you can make the most of your life. You may contribute to the spread of the gospel, assist those in need, or perform charitable work. 

When to Seek Bereavement Counseling

Most people are capable of recovering from grief with the help of relatives, friends, and community support. In fact, research demonstrates that most individuals are able to deal with bereavement-related grief without the assistance of counseling. However, as a general principle, counseling may be beneficial if you find that you have long-term issues with functioning such as relationship issues, problems at work, and difficulty fulfilling important duties. A counselor at Restoration Counseling can help you if you are experiencing the following: 

● Sleeping Problems – A counselor can assist you in establishing sleep habits that promote a restful night’s sleep, which can help improve your energy, mood, and focus. Persistent sleep issues (e.g., being unable to fall asleep, waking in the night, oversleeping, etc.) may negatively impact your well-being.

● Lack of Support – When you have lost someone close to you, it may be difficult to find the support you need from family and friends. A counselor can provide you with additional support, providing genuine compassion and companionship. Bereavement groups may also be able to assist you in connecting with other individuals who are grieving. 

● Stress – You may be required to take on new responsibilities, such as paying bills, maintaining a household, or caring for children, as a result of a loss. It may also be difficult to establish or maintain new relationships after a loss. Counseling can assist you in finding practical answers to the problems of role change, lowering stress, and helping you locate areas of life you can invest in meaningfully. 

● Faith Crisis – Any person can experience a faith crisis at any moment, but it is more likely to occur after a loss. To rediscover your faith post-tragedy and bereavement, you must reconnect with your values and your higher power. Healing, reflection, and prayer are all included in helping you find comfort and solace once again. A grief counselor can assist you in putting your faith to work again.

You Can Trust Restoration Counseling

Here at Restoration Counseling, we provide Christian grief counseling to all clients who have suffered a tragic loss and are in need of support. Strengthened by their faith, our counselors are here to support you in the journey towards unshakeable faith and inner peace. We believe that life and its difficulties are temporary and that we will have an everlasting future without suffering. If you wish to learn more about Christian grief counseling, please contact us today. We are here to help.

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Depression Counseling

Depression counseling is needed now more than ever before. Around the world, depression is increasing as a result of the negative news we receive. Many Christians suffer from depression, which can make them feel isolated, lonely, and hopeless. People have hectic work environments that don’t allow for a balanced life-work balance. Our homes are cluttered with lists and deadlines and battles with our spouses and children, resulting in fatigue and depression. However, depression is treatable and does not need to control or ruin your life. 

You must know how to recognize the symptoms of depression in yourself and others as well as when to seek help. There is always hope. Depression counseling at Restoration Counseling can assist you in creating a program that helps maintain a healthy mind and lifestyle. 

What is Depression?

Major depressive disorder or clinical depression is a mood disorder that affects your feelings, thoughts, and actions. It may cause a variety of physical and mental issues in addition to lowering your mood, depressing your thoughts, and lowering your motivation. Major depressive disorder is a mood disorder that causes you to feel, think, and act in ways that interfere with everyday activities. You may be unable to engage in regular activities or feel that life isn’t worth living. 

Depression is a serious issue that requires long-term treatment, but do not lose hope. Depression is not a sign of weakness, and it cannot be simply ‘snapped out of.’ Many people with depression are helped by the combination of in-depth counseling and ongoing support. 

When to Get Counseling for Depression

It is important to know when depression has reached a level to where professional help is needed. People typically have multiple episodes of depression, although depression may occur just once during their lifetime. People who suffer from depression usually experience severe enough symptoms to interfere with day-to-day activities, such as work, school, socializing, and relationships with others. Many people experience a general sense of unhappiness or misery without being able to pinpoint the cause. During these periods, symptoms occur nearly all day, every day, and may include: 

● Feelings of sadness or hopelessness

● Mood swings

● Loss of interest in things once enjoyed

● Sleeping issues, such as insomnia or sleeping too much

● Fatigue

● Altered appetite

● Restlessness

● Slowed cognition

● Feelings of guilt or shame

● Trouble concentrating

● Poor memory

● Suicidal ideation

● Recurring headaches

Types of Depression Therapy

Christian Counseling for Depression

Families with Christian beliefs may have avoided seeking help for mental health issues in the past, due to the stigma associated with them. However, people now realize that they must seek professional help in order to recover from loss, trauma, or difficult situations, in order to heal. 

During counseling, the therapist will employ “talk therapy” to assist you in understanding and addressing the problems in your life that are negatively impacting you. The therapist will listen, provide feedback, and collaborate with you to come up with strategies to cope. They will also monitor your progress and adapt the sessions accordingly. You may be asked to perform homework in addition to the counseling sessions. Although this is typically monitoring moods and feelings, it may be done in a variety of ways. 

Christian counselors educate others on how to rely on God and seek Him as they overcome depression. When someone believes that they are worthless or that living is too difficult, Christian counselors remind them that God has known and loved them since the beginning of time. These therapists are well versed in clinical findings and psychological methodology, as well as being versed in the word of God and the wisdom of Scripture.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Certain kinds of counseling are particularly helpful if you are experiencing depression because they concentrate on how present thoughts, emotions, and behaviors affect your life. Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, has been particularly useful in counseling sessions. CBT is concerned with changing negative thinking that may worsen the symptoms of depression and, instead, improve overall wellbeing. 

CBT is a short-term therapy that emphasizes client involvement. Since CBT is considered short-term therapy for mild to moderate cases of depression, it is often one of the first therapies that therapists employ. CBT has been demonstrated to be effective in treating depression and improving self-esteem. Once counseling ends, recurrence or relapse rates of depression are also reduced. 

Family Therapy

Working with the family is the key purpose of family therapy. It aims to improve the interactions between family members, promote family wellness, and alter dysfunctional patterns. When it comes to treating depression symptoms, the importance of a family therapist and a healthy support network is critical. Family therapy not only improves the outcome of family members’ individual treatment, but it also provides much-needed support to the entire family. 

Couples Therapy for Depression

When one partner suffers from depression, the other is also negatively impacted. The person who is depressed feels incapable of helping himself or herself but is often seeking excessive reassurance from their partner. Due to the person’s negative perspective, reassurance is usually rejected. On the other hand, the unaffected partner feels compelled to take over so that the children will be cared for. As fatigue and frustration increase, a partner who is unaffected may become angry or resentful. However, couples therapy was found to be as effective as or superior to individual therapy in treating depression, and it also resulted in a significant reduction in relationship distress. 

How to Find the Right Counselor for You or Your Loved One

Choosing the right counselor is the initial step in therapy if you’re considering it. Your bond with your therapist is believed to have a significant effect on your development, so conducting extensive research, asking questions, and being aware of your own responses are all important. These are a few factors in determining if s counselor is the right fit for you:

● Experience – It’s important to find out whether your therapist has prior experience with the issues you’re dealing with. If you’re concerned about children, families, adults, or the elderly, you may be able to find someone who knows a lot about those issues. Find out, if you can, how much experience they’ve had.

● Location – It is important to determine where the therapist works, what hours are available for your treatment, and whether the therapist is available for emergencies. Is the therapist located at a clinic, community mental health center, medical school, independent practice, or some other location?

● Similar Values – Determining whether or not a counselor holds similar beliefs and has similar values is also important to consider. An individual with specific faith-based training as a professional counselor or psychologist has completed intensive research in both psychology and religion-related subjects. They seek to combine religious and psychological perspectives in a balanced method when working with clients.

Restoration Counseling is Here for You

The Christian counselors at Restoration Counseling are here to assist people who are in distress. You might feel as if a dark cloud is weighing down on you, making it difficult to move. Our professionals combine science and religion to help people heal and manage their condition. Regardless of your situation, God loves you and accepts you as you are. God desires you to rely on Him as you change and recover. 

Our goal is to assist you in finding peace with the Lord as you seek his aid in dealing with your problems. We can assist you in starting your recovery journey. If you or a loved one has depression and requires counseling services, Restoration Counseling is here to help. 

Through our faith-based approach, we provide health and Lord relationship restoration to all patients. Please contact us for more information on depression counseling or any of our other services.

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Anxiety Counseling

It is normal to feel anxious sometimes, but some individuals are severely restricted in their ability to live because of their anxiety. If you frequently feel tense, overwhelmed, anxious, or obsess over things until you feel panicked or out of control, you might have an anxiety disorder. Chronic stress and anxiety are harmful to your health and can negatively affect your relationships. Don’t let anxiety continue to control or restrict your life; Christian anxiety counseling can assist you in finding peace and reclaiming your life. 

Anxiety sufferers may find the phrase “let go and let God” to be difficult to grasp. Even though it is a decent suggestion, it is not simple for those with anxiety disorders. At Restoration Counseling, we recognize how difficult it can be to manage negative thoughts and behaviors. You may accomplish long-lasting, positive adjustments to your anxiety with the assistance of highly-effective anxiety reduction strategies that are tailored to your unique beliefs and needs. 

What is Anxiety?

According to the DSM-5, an anxiety disorder is a condition in which a person experiences overwhelming worry, nervousness, and distress in anticipation of a future event or problem. It is characterized by an unpleasant feeling of concern, distress, and/or physical signs of tension. 

Despite how precisely it is defined, anxiety can manifest in many different ways and at various intensities—from being a minor nuisance to an all-consuming debilitating force. For example, you may feel butterflies in your stomach or an unshakable sensation of fear that prevents you from leaving the house. Anxiety, therefore, may occur on a wide-ranging spectrum. When it occurs on the far left of that spectrum, it is considered “normal” anxiety. When it exceeds a certain magnitude and/or time period beyond what is developmentally appropriate, it goes from “normal” anxiety to an anxiety disorder. 

Types of Anxiety Disorders

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, anxiety disorders are the most common mental health problem in the United States, affecting over 40 million Americans (19.1%). Around 7% of children aged 3-17 (approximately 7% of children aged 3-17) experience anxiety each year. Anxiety disorders usually manifest before age 21. The most common anxiety disorders include: 

● Generalized Anxiety Disorder – Generalized anxiety disorder is a chronic condition characterized by excessive and persistent worry about everyday matters. Your worry is disproportionate to the circumstance, difficult to control, and has an adverse impact on your physical health. It is often co-occurring with other anxiety disorders or depression. 

● Panic Disorder – A panic disorder is characterized by episodes of intense anxiety and terror that peak within minutes (panic attacks). You may experience a sensation of impending doom, shortness of breath, chest pain, or a rapid, fluttering, or pounding heartbeat (heart palpitations). These panic attacks might cause you to worry about them happening again or to avoid situations in which they occurred.

● Social Anxiety Disorder – People with social anxiety disorder feel embarrassed, self-conscious, and concerned about being judged or viewed negatively in social situations, creating high levels of anxiety, fear, and avoidance.

● Phobias – When you are confronted with a certain object or scenario, you experience extreme anxiety and want to avoid it, you have a specific phobia. Panic attacks may be provoked by phobias.

Benefits of Anxiety Counseling

Christian counseling is an excellent method for dealing with an anxiety disorder. Rather than fighting against or resisting anxiety through willpower (which tends to increase anxiety levels), you must shift your focus away from the distress and onto an external objective or significance. Whether it is the significance of life or the significance of a relationship, the best place to start is with a call to meaningful action. A Christian therapist can assist you in discovering your purpose and creating a plan to achieve it. The following are just some of the benefits of participating in Christian counseling for anxiety: 

● Identify the source of anxiety – Patients who have anxiety disorders may be treated with prescription medication to relieve their symptoms rapidly. While rapid results are a benefit, this treatment is only temporary. Furthermore, prescription pills only treat the symptoms of the disease rather than treating the disease itself, which is what psychotherapy does. Therapy, which is customized to meet the needs of each patient, helps patients recognize the root cause of their issues by identifying the actual cause. Anxiety might be caused by a number of factors, including how they see the world, the environment, and their circumstances. Therapy helps you discover new ways to monitor and alter your thoughts, which may be contributing to panic attacks or anxiety.

● Work towards a solution – The purpose of counseling is to help the individual discover the genuine reasons for their issues and how to control and manage their thoughts and behavior in an effective manner. The client is guided by the counselor to apply these strategies when they come across stressors. Therapy does not hand them a solution to their problems on a silver platter, rather it helps patients discover how to cope with their issues and eventually overcome them. Rather than avoiding future situations in which they might feel anxious, they may be provided with tools and resources to help them.

● Regain confidence – It is common for anxiety disorders to severely limit a person’s confidence. Counseling assists patients as they gradually rebuild their confidence by offering them an opportunity to examine their own thoughts and feelings. Counseling gives people the knowledge, skills, and control over their thoughts, feelings, and actions, which allows them to live a healthy, happy life.

Christian Counseling vs. Secular Counseling for Anxiety

Seeing a Christian therapist would not be a substitute for meeting with God. It would be in addition to meeting with God. You may experience difficulties that are more difficult to overcome. God cannot solve them, but working with a Christian anxiety counselor might give you extra direction, guidance, and support. 

Having a compassionate, skilled person present can be advantageous to the recovery process. God employs people as His vessels to accomplish things. Since God utilizes doctors to treat a variety of medical conditions, he may utilize a mental health professional to treat mental health issues as well. If you desire God but anxiety is still holding you back, you may benefit from seeing an anxiety Christian counselor. 

True healing and real transformation are from the Lord alone. When we don’t bring Jesus into the process of therapy, we may be putting a Band-Aid on a serious wound that needs stitches. There may be some short-term relief. There might even be some visible changes at first. However, deep and long-lasting healing can only come from Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. With His blood, He frees us, and with His Holy Spirit, He makes things fresh. Since we are only using a portion of the resources we need in our therapy sessions if we remove Jesus, we will not succeed. If you go on the football field with only knee pads and wrist guards, you will not succeed.

Restoration Counseling is Here for You

We want to assist you in finding peace with the Lord as yo u seek His help in handling your burdens. At Restoration Counseling, our guidance and support will assist you in starting your recovery journey. If you or a loved one is suffering from an anxiety disorder and is in need of counseling services, the professionals at Restoration Counseling are here to help. 

Through our faith-based approach, we work with all individuals to restore their health and relationship with the Lord. Contact us today to learn about anxiety counseling or any of the other services we provide.

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Eating Disorders

Are you consumed with thoughts about maintaining the “perfect body” and terrified of gaining weight? Is food a method through which you seek comfort, despite concerns about weight gain and other health-related issues? If you responded yes to any of these questions, you might have an eating disorder. Restoration Counseling can help you take charge of your life, enhance your self-esteem, and restore your physical, psychological, and spiritual health through Christian eating disorder counseling. 

What is an Eating Disorder?

Eating disorders are severe, often fatal illnesses characterized by disturbed eating behaviors and related thoughts and feelings. The idea that eating disorders are a lifestyle choice is a popular misconception. Individuals who are preoccupied with food, body weight, and shape may have an eating disorder. Common eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder. 

● Anorexia Nervosa – People with anorexia nervosa avoid food, severely restrict food, or eat very small quantities of certain foods, even when they are dangerously underweight. They may weigh themselves repeatedly as well. Despite their dangerously low weight, they may see themselves as being overweight. Signs that may indicate this disorder include:

  • Bone weakness 
  •  Anemia 
  •  Brittle fingernails, hair 
  •  Lanugo (fine hair all over the body) 
  •  Constipation 
  • Low blood pressure 
  • Respiratory depression 
  • Heart damage 
  • Brain damage 
  • Organ failure 
  • Low internal body temperature 
  • Lethargy 
  • Infertility

● Bulimia Nervosa – A person with bulimia nervosa consumes an excessive amount of food then behaves in a way that neutralizes the consequences of doing so. These individuals may purge after a binge-eat, take purgatives or diuretics excessively, fast excessively, exercise excessively, or engage in a combination of these activities. With bulimia nervosa, people may be underweight, at a healthy weight, or obese. Symptoms of bulimia nervosa include:

  • Chronic sore throat 
  • Swollen salivary glands 
  • Weak tooth enamel 
  • Tooth decay 
  • Acid reflux or other gastrointestinal problems 
  • Intestinal issues from laxative abuse 
  • Dehydration 
  • Electrolyte imbalance

● Binge Eating Disorder – People with binge-eating disorder lose control over their eating and consume abnormally large amounts of food. Unlike bulimia nervosa, individuals with binge-eating disorder do not purge, overwork, or fast following episodes of binge-eating. As a result, people with binge-eating disorder are frequently overweight or obese. Binge-eating disorder is the most common eating disorder in the U.S. Symptoms include:

  • Eating large amounts of food in a short amount of time 
  • Eating when not hungry 
  • Eating quickly 
  • Eating until uncomfortably full 
  • Eating in isolation 
  • Feeling ashamed about your eating 
  • Frequently dieting without weight loss

Treatment for Disordered Eating

Eating disorders can result from a variety of factors. For some, being bullied or feeling pressure to conform to society’s standards causes eating disorders. For others, eating is a way to distract themselves or feel more in control of their lives. At Restoration Counseling, we strive to provide healing to anyone seeking it. In addition to Christian counseling that helps you deal with your issues, you may find hope in Christ and find healing by giving your burdens to Him. 

Rather than treating the brain and body, Christian counseling offers a holistic approach to eating disorder treatment. While other, secular methods are limited to healing the brain and body, Christian counseling goes a crucial step further by seeking Christ for spiritual healing and growth. With this technique, you may find long-term solutions even when traditional methods have failed.

You may overcome your eating disorder with help from Restoration Counseling. Working together, we may develop a Christ-based counseling approach that is customized to your unique set of issues and symptoms. We offer a variety of counseling approaches to help you overcome your eating disorder: 

● Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – Eating disorders can be treated using Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, an innovative form of counseling. CBT primarily focuses on altering your negative self-image, how you describe yourself, and maladaptive behavior. You are given tools to help you understand and alter your thoughts, refocus them, and embrace healthier behaviors to replace unhealthy ones through CBT.

● Counseling for Depression – Some individuals who have eating disorders develop depression, and those with an existing eating disorder may become depressed as a result of the disorder. You can learn to manage your depression through Christian counseling for depression.

● Family Counseling – Family therapy can help you gain more knowledge about eating disorders and how they negatively affect your relationships with family members, as well as giving your family members the insight they need to better understand your condition. During the course of overcoming your condition, your family will also receive advice on how to support you.

When to Seek Help from an Eating Disorder Counselor

Are you wondering if you require treatment for an eating disorder? Ask yourself these questions and give an honest answer. Do you control your food, or does your food control you? If you were required to stop following a certain diet tomorrow and listen to your body, would you be overwhelmed with sorrow and shame? Would anxiety overwhelm you to the point of distress? 

If you restrict food intake, purge, or binge eat, you need to seek help for your eating disorder. There are many reasons why someone might develop an eating disorder, and there are also many reasons why someone might continue to behave in this way, but whether it’s an eating disorder or not, these behaviors are damaging and can result in serious functional impairment or even death in severe cases.

Restoration Counseling Can Help You

A person’s eating disorder symptoms are not the only things that need to be addressed when working towards recovery. Individuals suffering from disordered eating must identify the patterns, thoughts, behaviors, and emotions behind their eating disorder in addition to stopping dieting, restricting, binge eating, and purging. There are many reasons why people develop eating disorders, including bullying, perfectionism, social anxiety, abandonment, and more. To heal, these issues must be confronted in a safe environment. 

We want to assist you in finding peace with the Lord as you seek His help in handling your burdens. Our guidance and support will assist you in starting your recovery journey. If you or a loved one is suffering from an eating disorder and is in need of counseling services, the professionals at Restoration Counseling are here to help. 

Through our faith-based approach, we work with all individuals to restore their health and relationship with the Lord. Contact us today to learn about eating disorder counseling or any of the other services we provide.

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Anger Management

Anger can be beneficial in alerting us that something is amiss, but it must be handled with utmost wisdom and care. It has the potential to cause lasting harm to individuals and relationships if uncontrolled. Those who are unable to control their anger are not  always proud of their outbursts. They wish to get a handle on their anger, but frequently do not know where to begin. Christian anger management counseling is a great starting point for establishing healthier habits. With God’s assistance, you can control your temper.

What is Anger Management?

The anger management process can assist people in pinpointing the sources of their frustration. Anger management counseling teaches people how to maintain their cool in tense situations. Anger is typically difficult to avoid in all situations and with all people. However, a person may learn to process responses and react in a socially acceptable manner. Counseling for anger is associated with lowering the physical and psychological responses created by anger. 

How Do I Know if I or a Loved One has Anger Issues?

It’s normal to experience some degree of anger, but it’s dangerous to have trouble controlling it. Notice how you or your loved one reacts to anger and seek assistance if necessary. The following signs indicate that anger has become an issue: 

● Physically or verbally hurting others

● Inability to control outbursts

● Aggressive behavior

● Anger is frequent

● Easily irritated

● Tend to start arguments

● Frequent high blood pressure

● Express anger in dangerous ways

● Rely on substances to calm down

● Chest pain

● Outward blame

What Causes Anger Issues?

Family issues, financial difficulties, and stress can all cause anger. Anger can also arise as a result of an underlying condition like alcoholism or depression or as a symptom of several mental disorders. Although anger itself is not a condition, it is a recognized symptom of several mental health problems. The following are some of the potential causes of anger issues: 

● Depression – Anger may be a sign of major depression, a condition in which one experiences profound unhappiness and an absence of motivation for at least two weeks. Some people express their anger more openly than others, while others bury their feelings. The degree of anger and how it is expressed varies from person to person.

● Grief – Loss of a loved one, a broken relationship, or a lost job can trigger grief. Anger is one of the phases of grief. You may direct your ire at the person who died, those involved in the incident, or inanimate objects.

● Alcohol Abuse – According to research, alcohol consumption increases aggression. Alcohol is involved in nearly half of all violent crimes in the United States. Alcohol abuse, or alcoholism, refers to consuming excessive amounts of alcohol at once or regularly. Alcohol impairs your judgment and decision-making abilities. Impulsivity and emotional control are among the many things that are negatively impacted by alcohol consumption.

● Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) – People with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) experience problems with inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness, all of which are part of a neurodevelopmental disorder. Symptoms typically begin in early childhood and continue throughout a person’s lifetime. Anger and short temper are also common in people with ADHD of all ages.

What is The Best Way to Get Anger Under Control?

Anger and aggression are not reduced by simply expressing these feelings. Finding out what causes your anger and then developing strategies to prevent those triggers from pushing you over the edge is the best approach. Some strategies include: 

● Relaxation – Deep breathing and relaxing imagery are simple relaxation tools that help calm down angry feelings. You can learn relaxation techniques from a counselor, and then use them whenever you want once you’ve learned them. If you’re involved in a relationship with someone who is as hot-tempered as you are, it might be wise for both of you to learn these techniques.

● Problem-Solving – We cannot always avoid the adverse situations that provoke our anger, but we can often deal with them in a constructive manner. It’s alright to be angry when we’re confronted with real and inescapable problems. Make a strategy, and keep track of your progress as you pursue it. Try your best, but don’t punish yourself if the solution doesn’t come right away. If you can face the problem with your best intentions and efforts and make a genuine attempt to address it, you will be less likely to lose patience and fall into anger.

● Healthy Communication – It’s important to slow down and think carefully about your responses if you’re in an argument. People make lots of bad decisions when they’re angry, and some of them are really terrible. When you’re in a heated discussion, the first thing you should do is slow down and think about your response. Don’t blurt out the first thing that comes to mind, but rather take your time and think about what you want to say. At the same time, pay close attention to what the other person has to say and take your time answering.

● Change the Environment – Your environment can sometimes make you furious and irritated. Problems and responsibilities can weigh on you and make you furious at the “trap” you seem to have fallen into and at all the people and things that make up that trap. It’s important to take a break and make time for yourself. Certain times of the day are particularly challenging, so be sure to schedule some ‘me time.’

Where Should I Go If I Have Anger Issues?

If you think you have anger issues, you should seek immediate mental health assistance. Unmanaged anger can damage your health, your relationships, your occupation, and your mental well-being if left untreated. You may seek counseling in order to better understand the roots of your anger, identify situations that trigger it, develop techniques to deal with your feelings, and learn ways to unwind. 

Anger Management Therapists

When someone has problems managing their anger, anger management therapists help them gain insight into what triggers their anger as well as identify their anger responses. The client then develops ways to manage their anger in healthy and effective ways using certain exercises.

Therapy is not a cure for any mental health condition, but it may improve quality of life by reducing symptoms. You may also benefit from improved social connections and healthy communication with those you are angry with.

Christian Counseling Services

Christian Counselors combine several techniques from a biblical perspective when treating anger issues. A counselor will help you unpackage your anger, find out where it comes from, and identify the best ways to manage it. It can be very difficult for people to recognize and acknowledge their anger, especially if they are not used to looking inside and evaluating themselves. When in counseling for anger, individuals receive assistance finding healthy avenues to express and release their anger, allowing them to heal. 

Anger Management Classes and Groups

Learning new, more effective reactions to anger in anger management classes can help you regain control of your life and relationships and, when anger arises, you’ll learn how to handle it in a more positive way. Recognizing the early signs of anger and responding to it in a more effective manner are among the things you’ll learn in an anger management class.

Anger management groups are popular and successful in helping you observe how others deal with similar issues. It’s helpful to hear about other people’s experiences with managing themselves in difficult situations, particularly their failures and successes. In general, anger management classes teach you specific skills and ways of thinking to better handle your anger. 

Restoration Counseling is Here for You

If you believe you or a loved one would benefit from Christian counseling for anger issues, we want to hear from you. Our team of counselors is highly experienced in addressing a wide range of interpersonal issues and is eager to assist you. With our help, you can continue to walk in faith and become the healthiest version of yourself. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help.

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Domestic Abuse Counceling

You require guidance, support, and safety if you are currently in an abusive relationship. You may require assistance making the tough choices that will lead you to a safe location and ensure your wellbeing and that of your children if you have any. You may feel cut off and isolated. 

If you were in an abusive relationship in the past and weren’t able to heal, there is assistance available for that as well. We frequently become so preoccupied with leaving a relationship, helping our children adjust, and establishing a new norm that we ignore our own emotional well-being. Since our abusers made us feel worthless and we believed them, we neglected our well-being. No matter the stage you find yourself in, the professionals at Restoration Counseling can help. 

Domestic abuse is an abhorrent act that Restoration Counseling condemns, regardless of the consequences. Domestic abuse, in any form, is antithetical to the Christian message and the Christ in the lives of families. With our help, you can heal and move towards the life you deserve to live. 

What is Domestic Abuse?

Domestic violence is a pattern of behaviors used by one individual to systematically maintain “power and control” over another person in a close relationship. More than 12 million women and men in the United States are victims of domestic violence. Domestic violence has an impact on the functioning of 3 out of 10 women and 1 out of 10 men who experience any sort of domestic violence. Domestic violence prevents the victim from taking control of their own life and takes away their identity by instilling fear through willful threats and intimidation, which can manifest in the following ways: 

Physical Abuse

People immediately think of physical violence when they hear the words domestic violence. Physical abuse is harder to disguise than emotional abuse and is, therefore, easier to recognize. Physical abuse occurs when the victim is made helpless and the perpetrator gains control in the relationship by means of physical intimidation. Perpetrators of physical abuse may: 

  • Grab
  • Push
  • Slap
  • Shove
  • Hit
  • Stab
  • Burn
  • Bite
  • Throw objects
  • Threaten with weapons
  • Withhold food
  • Keep victim locked within room or home

Emotional Abuse

It’s difficult to measure the extent of emotional abuse because it is not physical in nature. An individual who verbally assaults, shames, or diminishes another person’s self-esteem is committing emotional violence. Victims of emotional violence may experience direct threats of physical injury or indirect threats to their loved ones. Abusers may even threaten to injure themselves in order to manipulate their victims. Emotional abuse includes: 

  • Neglect
  • Withholding affection
  • Ridicule
  • Manipulation
  • Threatening to hurt friends or family members
  • Constant insults towards appearance, intellect, or capabilities ● Taking forms of communication away
  • Gaslighting
  • Public humiliation
  • Obsessive control over partner’s actions

Sexual Abuse

It’s difficult to acknowledge and discuss the sexual abuse component of domestic violence. Many victims of sexual violence will be unable to identify it as such. Abusers use sexual violence in the same way they use physical violence: to dominate. Acts of sexual abuse include: 

  • Forcing partner to engage in sexual activity
  • Unwanted touching
  • Reproductive control
  • Sexual assault
  • Taking pictures of a sexual nature without consent

Financial Abuse

Abusers who control their partner’s finances use their power to oppress them. Barring their victim from accessing money or keeping them on an allowance are two examples. Preventing their victim from earning money is another tactic abusers use. Financial abuse may include: 

  • Refusal of individual bank account
  • Controlling spending
  • Issuing an allowance
  • Denying the right to work
  • The forcing of signing financial documents against the partners will

How to Get Help with Domestic Violence

Domestic violence can be physical, economic, sexual, or emotional in nature. An individual uses these abusive behaviors to gain and maintain control over their partner. If you believe your relationship is abusive or if you know someone who you think is being abused, it is important to seek help immediately. There are various resources that can help you and provide support. 

● 24/7 Hotline – An advocate can assist you via an online chat or by telephone, 24/7, on the National Domestic Violence Hotline. You can get assistance through a confidential online conversation or by calling 800-799-SAFE (7233) or 800-787-3224. You can also get assistance by texting ‘START’ to 88788.

● Domestic Violence Support Groups – Having people to speak with regularly when recovering from domestic violence is crucial. Having ongoing communication not only helps you understand what you’re going through, but also provides support, validation, and resources from people who have experienced the same things.

● Housing Shelters – When you’re prepared to leave, you might need secure emergency housing for yourself, your children, and perhaps even your pets. Shelters provide housing, clothing, personal items, hot meals, transportation, and, in some cases, monetary assistance. Emergency shelters are secure and confidential locations where you can find safety and comfort while you plan your next steps.

Domestic Violence Counseling Services

Survivors of domestic abuse may benefit from domestic violence counseling. Domestic violence refers to physical violence, sexual violence, stalking, or emotional or psychological damage inflicted by current and former spouses or lovers. Domestic violence may also involve victimization by other household members, such as parents, siblings, relatives, or roommates. Domestic violence survivors can receive counseling to help them heal and find safety. Restoration Counseling’s trauma-informed counseling services are available to adult, children, and teen individuals who were/are in abusive relationships or who experienced domestic violence as children. 

● Individual counseling – People may benefit from individual counseling if they want to discuss their emotions or experiences and work with their counselors to create treatment goals. Abuse is not experienced in the same way by everyone, nor does it have the same impact on everyone, so people need unique assistance to move forward.

● Couples Therapy – Prior to starting couples therapy, there must be a safety assessment with the survivor, as it may pose a danger to them. However, there are situations in which it may be a safe and appropriate therapy to pursue.

Who May Need Domestic Violence Counseling?

Individuals who are currently experiencing abuse, as well as those who have experienced abuse in the past, may benefit from domestic abuse counseling. Domestic violence survivors are frequently characterized as women who have suffered severe physical abuse; however, not all survivors are women, and not all survivors experience physical abuse. 

Some victims of domestic abuse have never been physically abused, but they fear for their safety every day as a result of the psychological abuse they endure. On the other hand, there are victims of domestic abuse who suffer as a result of its detrimental impact on their self-esteem and day-to-day functioning, even if they do not fear their abusers.

Essentially, regardless of how severe the abuse may seem, any abuse is intolerable. Individuals who have had their daily lives affected by the actions of another can benefit from domestic abuse counseling. 

You Can Trust Restoration Counseling

Domestic abuse shouldn’t be handled alone if you or your family have been abused or witnessed abuse. If abuse is still taking place, you or your loved one can receive help from Christian counseling at Restoration Counseling by learning about the situation in an anonymous and supportive setting. You may be able to sort out conflicting desires and values, create a safety plan, and make crucial decisions. 

If you have survived abuse in the past, Christian counseling can assist you in connecting the dots between what took place then and now. Christ and the practical procedures that you can discover through Christian counseling can assist you in recovering emotionally and living a new life. To receive assistance if you or someone you know needs assistance, please contact us now. If you require assistance, Restoration Counseling is ready to assist you.

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Telecounseling

Thanks to technology, communicating with friends and family has never been easier. We can reach out to friends across the country or conference remotely with colleagues using FaceTime and video conferencing, for example. This same technology and the need to adapt have also had an effect on mental health services. 

At Restoration Counseling, we are proud to offer telecounseling to all clients. As a Christian organization, we believe that everyone deserves access to mental health that uses Jesus’ teachings as guiding principles for our lives. Below, we discuss telecounseling, its many benefits, and how we can help you reconnect with your faith through this service. 

What is Telecounseling?

Telecounseling is a remote form of talk therapy that can be done over the phone or videoconference. Therapists can remotely collaborate with their patients to provide online therapy sessions, develop new routines, and practice therapeutic techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy through telecounseling. 

Unfortunately, telecounseling has some restrictions. Certain types of therapy, including play therapy for children, are restricted by telehealth. In-office visits would provide a better experience for those sessions. 

Is it Effective?

In most instances, clients experience comparable results with telecounseling as with conventional in-person visits according to the American Psychiatric Association. Telecounseling is recognized as a successful psychological treatment that improves access to care. Because of the advances in technology, patients who feel awkward in clinical or unfamiliar settings may be more receptive to treatment. 

Patients who are concerned about their comfort level may find it easier to express themselves and to express their feelings and thoughts. As technology improves and people become more accustomed to video communication, telecounseling will become more common and accessible.

Benefits of Telecounseling

Through technological advances, telehealth services have made it much easier to obtain the mental health counseling that is needed now more than ever. This service is particularly beneficial to patients who cannot meet with their mental health counselor in person. The following are just a few benefits of receiving telecounseling: 

● Improved Access – Clients and counselors alike may not be comfortable with in-person therapy if they have mobility issues or health complications resulting from injury or an illness. Telecounseling provides clients and counselors with the flexibility to continue their therapy regardless of these and other issues.

● Flexibility – Because of its inherent flexibility, telecounseling allows people to continue their treatment regardless of their schedules or situations. Commuting for appointments and other common logistical barriers are eliminated as well as waiting room delays. It is possible to schedule a telecounseling appointment at any time or place that works for both the client and the counselor.

● Consistency – If therapy is discontinued or administered irregularly due to unforeseen circumstances, the therapy may be ineffective or compromised. Teletherapy may be used to maintain the continuity and uniformity of the therapeutic process no matter what disruptions occur, such as pandemics, travel, sicknesses, or changes in schedules.

● Privacy – A lot of people may avoid treatment for mental health issues due to the stigma surrounding mental health. There is a chance that many individuals might be embarrassed to be seen entering or exiting the office of their counselor. With telecounseling, clients may receive therapy from the comfort of their own homes without a physical office location. If a client feels comfortable and safe, they will be more willing to disclose their anxiety, depression, and other problems, resulting in better treatment.

Is Telecounseling Right For Me?

It is important to understand the implications of virtual treatment before telecounseling can be put into practice. For telecounseling to be viable, you should have reliable internet access as well as a functioning computer, telephone, or tablet with a working microphone and camera. If you want telecounseling to be effective, you should be able to connect to the internet for sessions with your counselor, and it is important that your equipment works well enough for you to participate in regular sessions.

Secondly, it’s important to ask yourself if you will be able to hold up to keeping appointments at home. Although research has shown that telecounseling is just as effective as in-person treatment at retaining patients in treatment, this does not mean that it is suitable for everyone. Some patients prefer in-person treatment and know that they will be more committed if they must take a trip to the office for their regular appointments. If, on the other hand, you are someone who does not mind connecting with people virtually via an application like Skype or you appreciate the convenience of completing an appointment from home, you may be interested in telecounseling. 

Telecounseling at Restoration Counseling

When you choose Christian telecounseling, you are taking a step in the right direction. Through our telecounseling service, you will reconnect with your faith while improving your mental health in ways you didn;t even know were possible. 

Here at Restorative Counseling, we provide Christian telecounseling to all clients who are interested in tackling their mental health issues within the comfort of their homes. Strengthened by the love of Jesus Christ, our counselors are here to support you in the journey towards unshakeable faith and inner peace. We believe that life and its difficulties are temporary and that we will have an everlasting future without suffering. If you wish to learn more about Christian telecounseling, please contact us today. We are here to help.

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