Christian Counseling Services - Paraclete Counseling Services

Are you wondering if you may have an addiction? Addiction is any dependence, or neurological impairment, resulting in the continued use of a mood altering substance which creates or causes self-defeating habits or behaviors. Addictions can include, but are not limited to alcohol abuse, drug abuse, exercise abuse, pornography and gambling. Characteristics of addiction include: impaired control or preoccupation with a substance/behavior, continued use despite consequences, and/or denial of any substance/behavior concerns. Recovery is a process of change through which persons seek to better their health and wellness, live a carefully managed life, and contend to return to a former or better condition. Our counselors are experienced with addiction issues and can help individuals review how specific patterns develop and additionally learn and incorporate specific coping skills into daily routines.

Grief, loss and bereavement are natural occurrences throughout a person’s lifespan, however it is not always easy to accept loss.Many events in life such as a career loss, medical decline, or the unexpected death of a loved one can create emotional feelings of grief and loss. In her book, On Death and Dying, Dr. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, a Swiss-American psychiatrist, defines five stages of grief; denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance and shares that individuals do not necessarily go through these processes in any given order, or at the same pace. For individual’s currently experiencing grief and loss or for those who have in the past experienced a life event, and are finding it difficult to move on with life, Paraclete counselors are ready to listen, provide resources, and offer hope for heartaches in a caring, supportive and empathetic environment.

As individuals journey through life, sometimes the various transitions may be challenging. Various life events such as a career change, job loss, separation, divorce, re-marriage, or even death of a loved one, can create challenging times of transition. During these periods, individuals may encounter feelings of loss of self-esteem, inadequacy, sadness or mood changes, fatigue, and/or a lack of motivation. Unresolved emotional issues can result in being unable to maintain quality of life. At Paraclete Counseling Services we understand how individuals can be impacted through various life transitions and our counselors are available to listen, help and provide support for clients in a confidential, professional setting.

During later years of life, it’s important to support quality of life for you and loved ones. In today’s modern world, statistics are showing people are living longer than ever and generally there are many needs which surface during adult later years. Some of these can include; the need for caregivers, retirement housing, transportation, and financial assistance. Also, older adults may encounter new and challenging emotional and psychosocial issues such as depression, grief and loss, and social isolation. These are generally associated with physical and medical decline and often accompany the aging process. Paraclete Counseling Services helps older adults navigate through challenging systems and locate useful resources. Additionally, Paraclete counselors will provide older adults with counseling to support a healthy emotional status, and will assist them in finding enjoyable, meaningful activities that can help retain quality of life.

Whether you are a parent, single parent, foster parent, or adoptive parent, raising a child is one of the most important jobs that any of us will ever experience.Studies have shown, through evidence-based research, that parenting styles play an important role in a child’s development and has affirmed the need for several dimensions of parenting to be in place as children grow and mature. These include; that disciplinary methods are supportive, rather than punitive in nature, the importance of setting firm but realistic boundaries, the need to provide a warm, compassionate, and nurturing environment for children to mature, and the significance of role modeling effective and healthy communication. Through a supportive counseling process, Paraclete Counseling Services offer parents and caregivers a collaborative, learning opportunity in working with their children, to decrease negative or undesirable behaviors and they also help parents develop positive communication skills to role model to children. Our counselors will educate parents to be prepared to teach needed life skills to their children or foster children in the areas of problem solving, social skills, and healthy emotional responses. In today’s society it is vital that parents skillfully prepare children to successfully handle the demands and influences placed on them by school, siblings, peers and parents.

Feeling trapped or stuck in current circumstances? In her book, “Get Out of That Pit” Christian author and speaker Beth Moore encourages readers not to feel trapped in current circumstances, and offers inspiration to move forward in life embracing personal and spiritual growth. Counselors at Paraclete Counseling Services help clients invest in personal and spiritual growth so they can lead balanced, healthy and productive lifestyles. Practical tools and strategies, such as Motivational Interviewing, and use of the Cycle of Change, aid clients to live happier, more confident, empowered and fulfilling lives. Collaboratively with Paraclete counselors, clients are encouraged to develop goals, take steps in reaching set goals, embrace mistakes along the way as growth and learning opportunities, and to celebrate successes and practice self-affirmation throughout the process. Often, just taking the first step and making the decision to embrace personal and spiritual growth can make a huge difference in a person’s attitude and mood. Ask yourself, “Is there anything holding me back from personal growth?” If so, our counselors are ready to listen and to help you examine your belief system to see what thoughts may be holding you back.

Stress can be a part of an everyday routine…but how can it be managed?Most people just ignore stress and keep going through their day because they've got a huge list of things to do. One example are jobs, which can be especially stressful for some, due to rapid-pace environments, scheduled appointments and the expectations of deadlines. People generally try to adapt however the body isn’t built to operate in a state of ongoing stress as it can cause body systems to become erratic. If this occurs, hormones and body chemistry become irregular, metabolism slows down, sleep patterns are disturbed, and often major mood swings occur. It is unhealthy for the body to continue in this state as the body can be more susceptible to weight gain, and also disease. Many tools are available to help cope and manage stress so it does not negatively impact your life. Paraclete Counseling Services can help clients identify and understand contributors to stress in their lives and collaboratively with clients, assist with formation of a plan to help reduce and/or manage stress.

“Who am I and where is my life going?”

In today’s world, teenagers face many challenges which can impact mental health. Some of the major challenges teens face today include; family role changes, teen violence, dating, teen pregnancy, bullying and cyber-bullying, online gaming addiction, peer pressure, influences of drugs and alcohol and even career planning. As human development continues through the teenage years, teens will face challenges such as self-image, self-esteem, self-identify, self-confidence, stress, depression, anxiety, or even thoughts of suicide.

These issues can interfere with teen’s emotional, physical, intellectual and spiritual development, so it’s important to seek help and guidance if issues are recognized and assistance is needed. Parents can greatly influence positive and healthy teenage developmental outcomes through appropriate role modeling, effective communication, and through education which helps parents gain familiarity with favorable parenting skills. At Paraclete Services, our counselors are familiar with teen issues and are ready to listen and support teens and/or their families in a caring, confidential and supportive setting. Often, short-term, counseling, such as brief, solution-focused therapy can be effective in offering help. If you recognize the presence of one or more teen issues…Paraclete Services offers help.

Learn how to control anger before it controls you. Anger Management describes a process used to help individuals become familiar with their emotional feelings, the psychological arousal that causes anger, and how to learn to control reactions through rational response. Our counselors are trained in helping individuals learn how to recognize anger, learn self-management techniques, and respond positively rather than react when anger surfaces.

Anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, or obsessions can develop or be caused from a variety of factors. Anxiety is a state of intense worry or fear which is often accompanied by physical symptoms such as shaking, and/or feelings of uneasiness in the stomach, or tension headaches. Panic attacks can occur with prolonged episodes of anxiety and persons may feel as though they are facing impending doom or despair or panic attacks can occur "out of the blue" without any apparent reason. Panic attacks are also often accompanied by physical symptoms such as trembling, sweating and often time’s rapid heartbeat. Phobias can be described as an excessive worry or fear of an object or situation, and often involve a sense of endangerment or a fear of harm. At Paraclete Counseling Services we understand how fear and anxiety can greatly impact a person's life and our counselors are ready to listen, offer support, and help individuals acquire coping skills to manage daily challenges.

Often children exhibit challenging behaviors at home, school and/or in other community settings. As children develop, behavior changes are a normal part of that development, however, parents and others providing care for them, may recognize behaviors becoming increasingly more challenging over time. Some examples may include: difficulty with social skills such as waiting their turn or being uncooperative; observing sleep disturbances, such as nightmares, or sleepwalking; or concerns with a child’s physical and emotional development such as fidgeting, irritability and/or being easily distracted. At Paraclete Counseling Services, we are experienced in identifying possible reasons for challenging behaviors in children. Our counselors work with children independently as well as make therapy a collaborative process with parents. Play therapy is often used as one intervention that works well with children and adolescents in providing treatment services.

Sometimes individuals can feel like as though a cloud of sadness is overshadowing life, but don’t give up…take courage…there is help.Depression can be defined as a medical and/or mental health illness that can create continued feelings of sadness, and/or a loss of interest in life. Individuals with depressive symptoms often share that they are experiencing feelings of hopelessness, inadequacy, and often times feel as though they don’t feel like getting out of bed. Sadness can be a normal part of the human life cycle, for instance, following a loved one’s death. However, when sadness lingers for an extended period of time seeking advice from a medical professional is recommended. Paraclete counselors are trained in assessing clients for symptoms of depression and can guide clients toward appropriate resources. Our counselors offer reflective listening and supportive presence with clients and help them identify ways to begin to enjoy life once again.

“When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us." – Helen KellerAccording to the U.S. Census Bureau, the divorce rate of first marriage is around 50 percent; second marriages are at 60 to 67 percent and third marriages are at 73 to 74 percent. Couples who have already or are currently experiencing the process of divorce know what a treacherous road it can be. However, divorce recovery does not have to be a devastating ordeal. Paraclete counselors can assist clients through successful recovery from the pain of divorce. They will come along beside and encourage clients to let go of negativism which can result when a divorce occurs. Additionally, counselors can provide education and resources to help clients feel empowered, confident and enthusiastic to move on with life.

It’s important to face conflict in relationships and in the home in a health way. Anger and conflict in relationships, in the home, and with families is a normal occurrence. However, learning how to utilize healthy methods of communication and appropriate coping skills to resolve conflict is vitally important. It’s important to face conflict and not ignore it or allow it to be emotionally suppressed. Counselors at Paraclete Counseling Services work with clients and families to enhance and strengthen relationships and to provide education showing how conflict does not always have to be destructive, but that conflict can be viewed as learning and growth opportunity.

Hopes and dreams in life do not have to go unfulfilled. Every individual is unique and created for a specific purpose in life. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11. Goal setting can help create a sense of accomplishment and can help improve emotional well-being. Many people set goals in life, such as weight loss, increased exercise, learning new job skills or even starting a new business. But too often goals go unmet for various reasons and this can create frustration and sometimes even cause goals to be dismissed as unattainable. At Paraclete Counseling Services, it is our desire to encourage success and facilitate personal growth. Our counselors assist clients with strategic development of measurable, realistic goals and will work collaboratively with them to form action plans towards meeting those desired goals.

Today in the United States we are seeing more multigenerational households are on the rise. Often times, today’s families can include three generations living together, or grandparents living with grandchildren. Whatever the situation, grand parenting, foster parenting or kinship care, grandparents are frequently relied upon to serve in the rearing of children. The counselors at Paraclete Counseling Services use a multigenerational approach, when working with grandparents or others who are actively raising children, helping them gain a better understanding of the impact of healthy child development and social influences on a child’s behavior. Counselors provide education and resources, to assist those serving in the grand parenting role, in building close, loving relationships with children by offering unconditional love and nurturing self-esteem. Additionally, counselors listen and offer support, to those serving in a grand parenting role, who are struggling with feelings of guilt or uncertainly in the role they have taken on.