• Restore Your Child by Giving Them a Behavioral Re-do

    Restoring Your Child By Giving A Behavioral “Re-do”

    By  Shelley Kues, MEd, LPC, Child Therapist Peter denied Jesus three times on that awful night.  Peter had every intention  of doing “the right thing” earlier that evening when Jesus had predicted that  Peter would disown him. Peter couldn’t imagine the events that would follow. Just like Peter, our children have good intentions to do what is right.  It is my belief that our children will do well if they can.  Dr. Ross Greene, author of The Explosive Child, writes that, when the demands or expectations being placed upon a child exceed the skills that they have to respond adaptively, they will respond in maladaptive ways (Greene, 2014).  Dr. Greene…

  • Dysfunctional Anger By Bob Vass

    Dysfunctional Anger

    By Bob Vass, MEd, PLPC, NCC So it is with dysfunctional anger – with one significant difference. That kind of anger also affects more than just the perpetrator; it can destroy relationships and ruin families. There is a distinction between anger as a normal human reaction and anger that turns into irrational rage.  Healthy anger is intentional and appropriately proportionate to a provocation.  It responds to a clear danger or a threatening circumstance.  Unhealthy anger is too intense, and it often lasts too long or happens too frequently.  Anyone can become angry on occasion for either good or bad reasons.  Yet, the person who cannot seem to control his or…

  • Empty Nest: Ambivalent Emotions When Kids Leave Home

    Empty Nest: Ambivalent Emotions When Kids Leave Home

    Penny (not her real name) was a vibrant mother of four. She expressed confusion, selfishness, anxiety and shame regarding her mixed emotions when her daughter left home. Kathy, we took our daughter to school last month and I’ve  found myself getting more depressed ever since. It’s confusing though because I’m also excited for her! Why do I feel this way if I want her to get an education and begin the adult life that God has planned for her? I am thankful that she has opportunities ahead of her that I never had, yet part of me is jealous. I’m happy she is pursuing her dreams, but sometimes I feel…

  • Play Therapy Legos Autism Child Therapy Agape Christian Counseling Services St Louis MO

    Jason: A Case Study of Play Therapy & Autism

    By Carolyn Knarr, MSW, LCSW, Director of Children’s Therapeutic Services Jason is an eight-year old boy who is starting third grade. He is smart, funny, and loves video games. He is often teased at school, which causes him to feel badly about himself. Although he likes being around other children, he does not seem to get invited over to their houses. His mother said he is just a little “different”. He gets frustrated easily and has difficulty with fine motor skills, such as handwriting. The therapist scheduled a session with the parents to gather background information and discuss their current concerns before meeting with Jason. During this session, the therapist…