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Addressing Sexual Intimacy in Therapy
Claire (not her real name), was a young vibrant woman in her mid thirties : Kathy, I just don’t know why I’m here. I feel anxious all the time. I’m not sleeping well. I’m exhausted. All my energy goes toward work and the baby. There is nothing left for my husband. When we are intimate, I have never been satisfied. A tear rolled down her cheek as she wrestled with her work blouse to unsnap her nursing bra. She positioned her crying baby to her breast, settled into my couch, and sighed. As Claire nestled in with her baby, she revealed her demanding job schedule, the anxiety of being pulled…
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What’s In a Name: Who and What We Are
I’m Darrell Provinse, Executive Director of Agape Christian Counseling Services. It seemed fitting in launching the first issue of our newsletter that I take a minute and reflect on our origin, vision, and direction. I have often said that Agape Christian Counseling Services is the result of God clearly and inexorably closing some doors and opening others. I am convinced that it has been God’s leading and directing that has guided this agency and that He continues to direct us as we move forward. From the first, our ministry has not been without its setbacks, detractors, and even adversaries, but we have striven to remain true to our calling, and…
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Humility and Positive Self-esteem in Children
by Janet Kontz, LPC CS Lewis said “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.” We are able to think of ourselves less when we are not so concerned with how others see us; when we know ourselves from within and realize we are unique; when we can truly say I know who I am. Humility should never be confused with low self-esteem. If you have low self- esteem, you’re probably obsessed with yourself. Humility is the character trait that allows us to recognize our weaknesses, and accept them. It also allows us to recognize our strengths. Humility isn’t just about acknowledging that which we are…
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Forgiveness
by Darrell Provinse, MA, LPC, NCC In discussing forgiveness, Christians often speak of it glibly as if it’s a simple and easy decision, like turning on a light switch. Others struggle and say that they are unable to forgive. I think it’s important, in the discussion of forgiveness, to first define what forgiveness is and what it is not. As we look for example in passages about forgiveness, Matthew 18 being one, a few things stand out. First, we see in Matthew 18, that there is a natural division in the discussion. The first part of Matthew 18 refers to reconciliation, which is bilateral; meaning that it refers to two…
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