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Cognitive behavioral therapy is used by many therapists to explore your thoughts of loss and the grief that comes with them.  This is certainly not the only therapy that is helpful for grief, but has been used to help countless people through unthinkable circumstances.  Through CBT, your therapist can give you the space and tools necessary to grieve and heal in healthy ways.  A good therapist will help you identify unhelpful thoughts and gain an understanding of how these thoughts are impacting your moods and behaviors.  Through the use of Cognitive Behavioral therapy, or CBT, they will use strategies such as targeting behaviors, reframing and identifying distorted thoughts.

You may be thinking about getting help with your grieving but are not sure how anyone can help you through the sadness, loneliness and hopelessness you are feeling now.  Others may pressure you to get back to life and to some resemblance of normal life.  Many times people will not understand or even be able to comprehend what you are experiencing and their best efforts can be unhelpful at best and harmful at worst.

This is one reason many people have found counseling to be extremely helpful in their journey of grief.  And I say journey because there is not a clear finish line and depending on the loss you are grieving your life may look very different now and in the future.  This is where therapy like CBT can be helpful.

In Cognitive behavioral therapy your counselor will help you identify the unhelpful feelings you are experiencing.  They can help you Reframe some of the events that you have experienced so they lose much of their negative impact on you. Even in the best of circumstances most of us have a natural tendency to interpret events through a lens of survival. In this lens we can fixate on the worst case scenario instead of something more positive that will serve us better.  This is not changing the truth or lying to yourself about what happened.  But, when there are various scenarios to choose from; it is making the choice to believe the one that serves you best.

In Reframing, also called Cognitive Restructuring, your therapist will guide you in techniques that shift your mindset of how you look at people, relationships and circumstances from more positive viewpoints.  The beauty of this approach is that you can start in your counselor’s office and continue the practice at home, work, and wherever you go until it becomes a lifestyle.

Another way to understand reframing is to imagine taking pictures with your smartphone with all the different filters you have available.  You can use a filter that darkens the picture so that a picture in full sunlight now looks dark.  You can zoom out and make something that is really close appear far away.  You can also zoom in and make things that are far away look really close.  You can focus on one person in a picture full of people and blurr everyone and everything else out.

You may be asking yourself how does this help me with grief and the pain I am in now?  That’s a fair question and although it may not feel like it now, things will change.  You may not have been able to control the loss you suffered, but you can choose how you will change because of it.  Many people change for the worse, but you can choose to change for the better over time.

Your thoughts and feelings won’t stay the same.  And through counseling and the use of CBT we can help you grieve in healthy ways and help you look through the filters that will serve you best.  We will help you create filters that brighten dark pictures.  We can teach you to zoom out from only focusing on the now to so you can see the positive possibilities of your future.

The key idea of reframing is that the filter through which we view situations determines our belief and point of view.  When that filter is switched, the meaning changes and thinking and behavior most commonly change with it.

The good news is that through CBT and other strategies therapists help you change the way you think, feel and act.  This is a really big deal if the way you think, feel and act are not serving you or helping you heal and move forward.

And the great news is that our therapists at New Vision Counseling are all trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy along with other techniques.

You will likely be happy to know that if you choose to invite us into your story we won’t just sit on the sidelines and give you techniques.  We will listen and walk with you through the pain.  We will take as much time as you need during your journey through grief.  Instead of pressuring you to quickly move on we will encourage you to walk at a pace that is right for you.  Everyone has a unique journey that is right for them and should not be compared to anyone else’s journey.  And that is what we will help you discover and walk through with you.

If you are grieving and are weary and would like help navigating and getting through this painful time we are here for you.  Please call us at (405) 921-7776 or hit the button to contact us through email today.  We hope to hear from you soon.

Shawn Maguire is a Licensed Professional Counselor who has two masters degrees in counseling.  He has served the Oklahoma City metro, Edmond, and beyond for almost 30 years.  Because of his personal and professional experience he is uniquely qualified to speak on grief.  He has trained all of his therapists in how to be present during the journey and to walk beside their client’s so they are not alone during their journey.  He trains his therapists to be incredibly compassionate and accepting while guiding them with tools and techniques that transform their lives.

Being a college student can bring about many unique pressures. There’s a lot going on in the life of a student. There are deadlines, presentations, tests, boring lectures, and endless studying. For some, it may be the first time you’ve been away from home and you find yourself struggling with the newfound freedom. For others, you may be juggling a hefty work schedule on top of your education. For still others, you may find yourself bogged down with the expectations of yourself and/or your professors/parents/advisors.

Let’s face it: school is stressful. A great opportunity and a necessity for a lot of us, but still – stressful.

Over time, these pressures can build up and cause symptoms of mental disorder. When you’re in survival mode, it can be a challenge to remember to take care of yourself. Sometimes it’s hard to even know where to start. At the end of this post, you will find a short list of quick tips on how to lessen symptoms of anxiety and depression, which are two of the most common mental disorders among college students.

First, let’s talk about what to look for.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

There are many signs and symptoms of anxiety and depression to look out for. For instance:

• Trouble concentrating or focusing: You may find it difficult to pay attention in class or stay focused on your homework.
• A persistent feeling of nervousness or tension
• Racing thoughts: Having several thoughts go through your mind at once and being unable to slow the thoughts down
• Avoidance of things that make you nervous such as social situations, traffic, or giving a presentation
• Feelings of helplessness or hopelessness like nothing will ever get better or change.
• Loss of interest in daily activities or lack of motivation: You might lose interest in going to class, completing assignments, or doing things you usually enjoy like hobbies.
• Feeling angry and irritable even towards those you love like friends and family
• Feeling tired or sluggish all the time
• Trouble remembering things or making decisions
• Low self-esteem: Feeling bad about yourself and being unable to celebrate accomplishments
• Trouble experiencing joy

It is important to note that you may not experience the traditional symptoms of anxiety and depression and that they also present through physiological symptoms such as:

• Headaches
• Muscle tension and back and neck pain
• Insomnia or oversleeping
• Changes in appetite or weight
• Gastrointestinal problems like upset stomach
• Clenching or grinding teeth

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms you may want to talk to your doctor as well as make an appointment with a mental health professional.

With the options of in-person office visits or Telehealth sessions, the counselors at New Vision are ready and able to work with you! Call us at 405-921-7776 and we will answer any questions you may have and connect you with the right therapist for you.

With Telehealth, you have the option of connecting with your therapist between classes. No need to leave home!

QUICK TIPS

There are things you can do that help lessen symptoms of anxiety and can also prevent them from occurring, such as:

• Give yourself enough time to sleep or rest. It is easy to put off sleep when you have so much to do but getting enough sleep will help your mind stay clear and sharp.
• Make time to do things you enjoy. It is important to schedule time to do things you like to do outside of class. Give your brain a break every now and then!
• Eat healthy! It can be tempting to grab something quick and easy but meal prepping healthy meals will make a difference in how you feel both mentally and physically.
• It’s important to spend time with friends and loved ones. You need human connection!
• Minimize screen time. Give yourself a cut-off time and then don’t go over. Make sure you’re getting face-to-face time with real, actual people and that you’re going outside and soaking up some vitamin D.
• Get help. Counselors are there to help you with anything you may be facing. If you feel overwhelmed and are experiencing any of the above symptoms (or just not feeling like yourself), contact New Vision Counseling today! A counselor can help you process your emotions, help you find coping skills that work for you, help you with time management and relationship difficulties, etc.

Are you ready for more peace and joy and less stress and overwhelm? We are here and ready to help you get started today. All you need to do is go to newvisioncounseling.org or call 405-921-7776 to begin. We look forward to meeting you soon!

By Jessica Forehand and Erin Jackson

CALEB MCKEAN, LPC no longer works at New Vision Counseling but the good news is that we have other amazing counselors who can help you in your time of need. We have a team of therapists who care and are experienced in helping you gain freedom and achieve your goals. Contact us today so we can help you navigate this season together

You might be feeling like your marriage is so hard, and there’s no way out. There is a better way, and we want to help. 

Is your marriage in crisis? Do you find yourself having the same fight over an over with your spouse? Have you or your partner recently had an affair and you have no idea what to do? Are you finding it hard to communicate anything but frustration and anger with the person you love? If you answer yes to any of these, then marriage counseling would be helpful for you. At New Vision Counseling and Consulting in Oklahoma City and Edmond, we want to help you!

How do I get started with marriage counseling?
The first step is to find a marriage therapist. At New Vision Counseling and Consulting we specialize in treating couples and marriages. When seeking out a marriage counselor, it is important to find a therapist that spends a lot of time working with couples. There are a lot of therapists out there, but not all have been trained to specifically work with couples, and this matters! If you are seeking counseling, make sure to ask if marriage counseling is a specialty of the counselor or therapist.

Then, call and set up an appointment. Starting counseling can be intimidating for sure, but the longer you wait to get started, the longer you are putting off getting help. Don’t delay getting the help that you need. Often, I will ask couples how long they have been experiencing the problem that brought them into therapy, and they will say, “It’s been going on for years”. Years! That is a long time to suffer with a problem without getting help! However, the best time to start is now, no matter how long the problem has been around. If you feel stuck, reach out!

What can I expect to happen in marriage therapy?
First, you can expect that your therapist will get to know you and answer any questions you have about the process. Also, your therapist will ask you questions about the problem that brought you to therapy. Sometimes it’s obvious, like an affair, and other times it is not so obvious. You may know the problem is “communication”, but be unsure as to why your communication is not working. Your therapist will help you identify the problem to be worked on in therapy.

Next, you can expect that your therapist will develop a plan of action with you. Different therapists have different approaches, and they should be able to give you an idea of what therapy will look like. Then, the therapist will guide you through the process and find ways to help you change your relationship in positive ways.

Finally, you can expect to be challenged in therapy. Therapy is not always fun and comfortable. However, if you are up for the challenge and push through the difficult parts, chances are you will benefit from therapy. Much of your therapy success will depend on you and your partner trying new things and being willing to change.

How do I get the most out of marriage therapy?
Come to therapy ready to do whatever it takes to help your relationship succeed! Be willing to take an honest look at yourself and focus on what you can do to change your part of the relationship. The more you focus on what you can do to make your marriage better, the better chances of success you will have. Don’t wait on your spouse to change before you do!

Also, hang in there! Sometimes things get worse until they get better. You and your spouse may find yourselves fighting more than you did before therapy. This does not necessarily mean therapy is not working, it may mean your relationship is trying to change, but with change comes resistance. If there is no resistance, then nothing is changing. It is also common to start strong and make a lot of changes at first, but then after several sessions, you have a big blow up and revert to your old ways. Again, this is not a failure, this is an opportunity to practice what you learned and find your way back to health again. We don’t grow without struggles!

At the same time, if you feel like the therapy is not helping, don’t quit! Discuss this with your therapist. A good therapist invites feedback and is willing to pivot if something is not working. Sometimes a therapist and just not a good fit with a couple, and that’s okay! Try a different therapist. Your current therapist can even give you a recommendation.

What if my partner is not on board and won’t do therapy?
Still get help yourself. You do not have to wait until your partner is ready in order to start working on your part of the relationship. While this is not “marriage counseling”, finding a therapist that can help you in your relationship can benefit the marriage. This may go without saying, but also find a therapist who is marriage-affirming—someone who wants your relationship to succeed if at all possible.

One of the greatest things you can do for your relationships is work on yourself. I tell people, “It takes two to tango, but only one to change”. If you change your part in a relationship and refuse to do what you’ve always done, the other person will have to change in some way. Learn to react differently to your partner, and you may find it makes a meaningful difference.

While no one can guarantee success in therapy, we can guarantee you that we will give you our best and do our best to help your relationship! We are here to provide the best possible marriage counseling in OKC, Edmond, and the surrounding area. Contact us to schedule an appointment right away so you can get started on saving your marriage!

Marriage Counseling OKC by Ben Thompson, LMFT

Homeschooling what now? A Therapist’s Perspective

As most families are struggling to balance what appears to be our new normal life for at least the foreseeable future, a new challenge begins next week when most Oklahoma School-aged children are heading back to school.  Only this time, when they go back to school they will not be returning to the physical classroom, but beginning a new challenge of learning at home.  With this comes a new set of challenges and opportunities for parents, students, and yes especially teachers.

I know most schools have begun contacting parents to ensure the students have the necessary technological resources to actively participate in distance learning/ homeschooling.  Some schools and kids will be able to complete required coursework via online learning, others will have to complete printed material.  This is a huge challenge for all involved.  I would like to remind you as a parent you are not alone in the struggle, teachers and students alike are feeling it too.

Many of you may be asking yourself the following questions in regards to homeschooling:

• How do I juggle home responsibilities and teaching?

  If you have concerns about how you will juggle your responsibilities, I suggest coming up with a schedule.  I have found that when I become more anxious and am worrying about all the things that need to get done I easily get overwhelmed.  I have also found that having a schedule with tasks and responsibilities written down, allows space in my head to not have to worry about such things.

• I’m worried I’m not smart enough to help my child with school.  

  If you are worried about your intelligence and ability to help your child with school, you are not alone.  Most people who are beginning something new have doubts about their abilities.  Think about that promotion or your first professional job out of school.  I know I was very nervous and had to consistently fight that little voice inside my head we call self-doubt.

• What if I screw up as a parent trying to teach my kids.  I’ve never gone to school and worry I don’t know what to do.

  I understand the feelings of fear associated with messing up as a parent.  At this time those feelings may be increased due to the added responsibilities.  However, I believe we (as parents) will have more support than most teachers starting out.  We will have the internet and Facebook to ask for help and ideas, as well as, most of the teachers will be more than willing to give us advice and guidance in helping our kids.

• As a parent what can I do to provide the greatest opportunity for success for my student?

  The greatest thing we as parents can do to provide the best opportunity for our students to be successful is to be present with them.  As parents, we will need to at times have more patience with them, as well as added structure.  The more we can control ourselves and our emotions the easier it will be for our students/ kids.  When I have an upset kid, one of the things I do to help them is a breathing exercise.  I start what I call a broken record routine, and repeat this over and over again until the child starts to calm down.  The routine goes like this:  “I’m going to smell the flowers (I breathe in through my nose), I’m going to blow out the candles (blow out through my mouth), I’m going to continue this until I calm down.”  One of the most interesting things I have experienced from this exercise meant to help calm my kid down is that it helps me not lose my cool as well.  Our kids will need us to be calm, stable, and available to them.

• I’m stressed already worrying about how to keep my family safe and now I’m having to figure out how to help them with school…

  If you are stressed already then now is the best time for you to take advantage of some stress-reducing activities.  There are numerous apps for both android and ios that help with breathing exercises, self-meditation, and relaxation exercises.  I have also found that there are times when just taking a break and having a dance party with kids helps reduce my anxiety

Some resources that are available right now to help with learning

The Oklahoma Educational Television Authority (OETA) has also begun to assist with homeschool efforts by changing their daytime programming.  Beginning March 30th, 2020 OETA will be broadcasting educational programming to help in conjunction with what the schools are doing.  Here is a link to the schedule that breaks down the programming based on grade level.  On their website, OETA reports that these changes will last until the end of the school year.  For more information on OETA’s programming changes click here.

ABC Mouse is offering free access during the school closures at ABCmouse.com.  You can use the code “AOFLUNICEF” for the Early Learning Academy (which is preschool to 2nd grade) and Reading IQ (for preschool through 6th grade).  The Adventure Academy (for grades 3rd through 8th) uses a different code “SCHOOL7771”.

Takeaways

This pandemic shall pass.  In time we will all get back to whatever we considered a “normal” life.  Each of us has a unique opportunity of the likes most have never seen.  We have the opportunity to take this moment in time, slow down, and actually feed ourselves and our children emotionally, physically, and spiritually.  Human connection is vital for us we crave it, desire it, and thrive from it.  What better way to connect with our kids than during this time when we are homeschooling them.

If you find other resources for parents, teachers, or students please post them in the comments below so we can help get the word out on all the resources available.  Helping each other during this time is what makes us as Oklahoman’s so great!!!

At New Vision Counseling we help individuals, couples, and families like you create a life worth celebrating.  We have 2 locations conveniently located in Oklahoma City and Edmond!!  Give us a Call or schedule your free consultation.  Let us work with you on your path to healing and restoration.  We look forward to hearing from you.

Written by Daniel K. Edwards, II., MS, LMFT

Daniel K. Edwards, II. is a Licensed Marital and Family Therapist that specializes in Helping Couples find their way to the Relationship they want.

Hi everyone. Shawn Maguire here from New Vision Counseling and Consulting. As you can see I’m not at work right now because we’re on a global
pandemic. Covid-19 has taken over the world in so many ways, but it doesn’t have to take over your world and run your show. Today I’m gonna share with you how because you know if you’re like me you’ve been majorly impacted by this. As a matter of fact right before I got on this video some of my friends one of my friends in particular just lost somebody really close to him. I don’t know what that looks like for you I don’t know if you still have a job I don’t know if you’re struggling to make ends meet because your job is either ended or about to end maybe you’re the person that is trying to figure out what you’re gonna do for a living situation because you can’t pay your mortgage anymore maybe your immune compromised or somebody you love has a health issue that they get the corona it could be devastating or deadly wherever you’re at I want you to know that God was not caught off-guard by this and there’s hope and there’s help for you today I’m going to go over some ways that we can reignite our hope that was in us because you know if you’re like me you’ve been going down a life’s path and doing your very best and the corona came and just knocked you
off and so today I want to encourage you that you can get back on but there’s some really specific things that you can do to start this process one of them is realized you’re anchored into something you know they call the people that give the news anchors news anchors why because whatever they’re saying they’re anchoring in your soul so that means we better be really sure that what they’re saying is what our soul needs to hear now that doesn’t mean we don’t live informed and we’re not aware of what’s going on in the news and how to be wise and follow the CDC’s recommendations but it does mean that the majority of your consumption should not be anchored in the bad news of the media but it should be focused in the good news of the gospel that’s right remember they call another name for the gospel the Bible is the good news why is that well because hope is an anchor to our soul that in times of trouble that we as Christians still have this hope that transcends all circumstances and that God’s peace can guard our hearts and our minds like Philippians 4:8 says and so that’s where we need to put our focus and attention is making sure that we’re not anchored in following every latest breaking news story but anchoring God and staying informed but then not being transformed by the news but by the good news of Jesus Christ in the middle of the storm so I want you to think about what did you consider or what came to mind first when you first woke up this morning that’s an indication of what you’re filling your heart your mind and what’s dominating your life right now I know for me the first week and a half it was so heavy like I felt like every five to 10 minutes I had to pray and ask God for grace and to break the soul tie of fear off of my life fear of my daughter because she’s got asthma fear of what’s gonna happen to her fear of the team that I serve with and then I feel a little responsible for a lot of ways are they gonna be able to survive provide for their families in this upcoming crisis what about the health of our nation what about the health of our president and people that are serving in office and so instead of just living in that fear I chose to pray and and to be aware of what’s happening but not be transformed by it but then I started to spend more time with God in the word meditating on scriptures so that his words were the ones that were on my mind his words were what I thought about when I went to bed and what started to canvass my day and what I thought about when I woke up in the morning the next thing I want you to consider doing it’s really powerful is I want you to consider what happened to your habits are you still getting up early are you going to bed too late because you’re watching the news are you on social media way more than you’ve ever been and what kind of social media how are you eating what about your exercise remember that thing called exercise I just would encourage you that your habits and routines can be the ladder that God uses to help you climb back up and to restore a sense
I’ve normally seen your life again a sense of normalcy in your life again now the other thing I want to encourage you to do is remember that you are not a victim but in Christ you are a weapon that’s right you’ve been weaponized to be a role model because Christ followers the darker the environment the brighter our light from within shines and here’s the great news that our riches don’t come from this world he says God says he
supplies all of our needs according to his riches and glory so that means that no matter what happens in our economy or in our world that our needs are always met by our Heavenly Father according to the riches of his glory not our circumstances thank God for that and that means that we can go out as weapons to destroy and push back darkness that we are role models that can shine so bright like a city on a hill like a beacon of a lighthouse when people are up and down in the storms of life our hope is an anchor that keeps our ships our lives secure in him you know
anchors hold a ship steady and you know it just goes all over the place some ships have two anchors one of the the one in the front one in the back depending how big it is and I know that if you don’t have an anchor and it’s windy it’s blowing and the waves are going everywhere because I love fishing so much I’ve experienced this with and without anchors and you’ll just be blown everywhere and you can’t control where you end up so anchor yourself in this this time in God anchor your heart in his presence and his goodness and His faithfulness in his love and you will emanate his love his assurance and that faith will be tangible it can be given and serving others and as a role model you’re not just thinking about geez my family have enough toilet paper does my family have enough groceries does my family have enough resources and money to provide but what about the people around you ask God to give you wisdom and resources to provide for them as well and so I would encourage you to take this opportunity to tune back into a God who’s desperately in love with you and is seeking your attention and he wants to broadcast his love to a world that’s desperate to hear it they just might not know it yet so guys be encouraged that our hope is not in the circumstances it’s not even in our economy it’s not in our 401ks it’s not on how much food we have in our house with the shelter we live in or the jobs or security of career it’s in him because I know that this has really dislodged so much of my hope that was in me controlling my circumstances I’d love to know as much about a situation as I
possibly can so that I can make sure that I have enough knowledge to be successful in it and to serve the people I love and myself and my family but I don’t have that and and really neither do you right now what we have is the God who is faithful and wants to grab you by your hand and he wants to say look no matter how bleak it looks it will be okay with me you know that song is well with my soul that guy wrote that after he lost his entire family when they were crossing the sea to come see him he lost his entire family and he wrote that song and is well with my soul in the midst of a storm so guys I would encourage you to press into the Lord and reach out to others and if you say Shawn that’s great but I need more help great news
I new vision counseling and consulting we are here for you this is our go time so many people are saying Shawn do you have time to do this you have more time and really I don’t because I’ve been so busy speaking to the situation and the crisis were in and serving that patience and the people that are in our lives and we want to serve you so let us know if we can help you go to new vision counseling that live and we can do counseling we can do life coaching outside of our state we can do counseling inside and we just want to be a resource for you and this time and equip you to go transform the world instead of letting the world transform you hey god bless I look forward to hearing from you really soon.

The outbreak of the COVID-19 may be a very stressful period for people. Not only we are dealing with a pandemic as no one knows for sure how it will continue to spread and for how long.

While governments throughout the entire world have been taking measures to prevent people from getting infected, both the number of people infected and the number of deaths continue to climb.

Everyone reacts in a different way to stressful situations.The crisis over COVID-19 is no different.

You may notice:

• Difficulty concentrating or sleeping
• Changes in eating and sleep patterns
• Increased worry and fear about your own health and the health of your loved ones
• Increased use of alcohol and tobacco
• Worsening of chronic health problems.

How To Support Yourself

We are all responsible for our own behaviors. And even during this crisis where we are told to stay at home and avoid social interactions, it is wise to keep your mind occupied even if you’re not working. So, you should consider:

• Taking care of your body: From meditation to exercise, eat balanced and healthy meals, and get plenty of sleep.
• Taking a break from the news: While it is important to keep yourself up to date with the recent developments of this pandemic, you don’t need to follow all the stories by the minute.
• Connect with others: While it is advisable to not leave home, you still have a phone and you still have the internet. So you have the time to talk with people you trust about what you are feeling and about your concerns.
• Take time off: Just think of activities that you like and that you can do at home. This will help you stop thinking about the pandemic.

How To Support Your Children

While you may think that your children don’t understand what is happening, they absorb it all. And sooner or later, they may start developing some attitudes to all the stress they are living as well. Some of these reactions may include:

• Excessive sadness or worry
• Excessive irritation or crying in younger children
• Irritability in teenagers
• Unhealthy sleeping and eating patterns
• Avoidance of activities enjoyed in the past
• Difficulty with concentration and attention
• Unexpected body pain or headaches.

Even before you notice these situations, you should talk to your children so they can better understand what is happening. You obviously need to pay attention to their ages and tell them what they need to know accordingly. Make sure that you reassure your child or teen that they are safe and that it is ok for them to feel upset or sad.

One of the things that you should consider doing is to keep up with the daily routines as much as you can. In addition, limiting the news is also a good idea.

Bottom Line

While we are right in the middle of a crisis over COVID-19, we are always here for you. We have taken all the precautions to ensure that we are here to support you. In case you just want to talk to someone or ask a question about your children, we have your back. Together we will make it. Schedule an appointment today with one of our counselors.

Are you Considering Couples Counseling?

Are you considering couple’s counseling but questioning whether it is can truly make a difference? Research supports that couple’s counseling is indeed effective, and at New Vision, we see a very high rate of success with our couples. We contribute this success to the fact that our counseling methods and theory are based on the inerrant Word of God. We combine the best of what psychology has proven to be effective with the truth of God’s word to create the most optimal treatment for our clients.
Some of the most common questions asked by those considering couple’s therapy include:

• How long will it take?
  This is a question people frequently ask by those considering marriage counseling. Oftentimes, we see couples make very quick progress in their relationship. It is not uncommon for couples to see dramatic changes in their relationship in as little as four to eight sessions. In marriages with more difficult and long-standing issues, it will, of course, take longer. The rate at which a couple’s progress depends largely on their commitment to the process. 

• What if my partner is unwilling to come?
  It is not uncommon for one person in the relationship to begin therapy on their own. Since marriage is a system, when one person in the marriage begins to make positive changes in their own life, it has a positive effect on the entire system/marriage. We frequently have spouses join in the process once when they begin to see the positive effects in their partner.

• What if my spouse has already filed for a divorce?
  Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for couples to wait until the relationship looks doomed for failure before they reach out for help, but no couple is beyond help. While we may not be able to save every marriage, it is never too late to begin the work on yourself.  And again, one partner can often make a significant difference in the marriage.

What about divorce or severe distrust?

Furthermore, couple’s counseling is extremely important even for those who go through a divorce. Research shows that divorcing couples who can communicate well with one another, provide their children with less stress and trauma during the divorce process.

• What if I have lost feelings for my spouse?
  In a word, feelings are fickle. We cannot rely on our feelings to make life-changing decisions. As we help couples get to the root of their relationship issues, learn how to meet one another’s needs, communicate respectfully, and become friends again, positive emotions toward their spouse naturally resume.  If you have ever felt love for your partner, you can feel it again.

• What if our relationship has suffered severe disloyalty and heartbreak?
  There is no marriage that is beyond hope. We have seen marriages overcome the most painful situations including pornography, addiction, adultery, and severe trust violation. At New Vision, we believe that God is a Master at restoring broken hearts and broken lives. We are committed to providing our clients with the best opportunity possible to see their marriage completely restored and made even better than before.

One last reason to consider counseling at New Vision is that we have a very high standard for the therapist’s we hire. Our therapists are experts in their field, trained in methods that are proven in efficacy, as well as seasoned believers who practice a godly lifestyle. We adhere to the Biblical premise of hiring those who are not a novice (I Timothy 3:6) but have a history of relying on the wisdom and knowledge of God in their own lives and in their counseling practice.

Written by:  Gina Helms

Gina is a Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate who  works with her clients to get to the root of their issues so they see real results and see the maximum change in their life. If you want to get started on your own personal journey to health, peace, and complete transformation, call me today for your free 15-minute consultation.

As COVID-19 spreads, it seems as though feelings of sadness, dread, and hopelessness are also spreading. A pandemic spreading is sad. Cancellations are sad. Getting laid off is sad. Fearing the economic downturn is sad. It is healthy to feel these feelings, and mourn the life you thought you would have during this time. No one could have prepared for this. All the feelings you are feeling are normal. You are not alone in these feelings. Remember that while we are social distancing, we don’t have to be socially isolating. Make time to reach out to loved ones. If you want to try something new, now is a great time to do that. If it feels better to rest, do that. It’s okay if your life looks different right now. From others, and from how your life normally looks.

I have some great news for you. There is hope to feel better, even in this time. Sometimes it can feel like it takes everything you have just to reach out for help. If that’s you, make the call. It will be worth it. You may feel like “this isn’t the time to start counseling with a pandemic on the loose?” But really starting now could be the very thing that helps you get through this. At New Vision Counseling, we seek to understand what you’re going through and our counselors really can help.

Whether you come into the office or counsel through telehealth we are here for you. Through Telehealth, we are able to effectively help through an online experience. Telehealth is as easy to use as facetime or calling a friend. You don’t have to have anything special, just yourself and a computer or phone (or ipad or tablet…). No need to download anything or research anything. It is a simple process that we will walk you through. If you are feeling hopeless or sad, why wait? You likely have more time and more fear and sadness then normal. Since issues are coming to the surface now is the time to deal with them and move on with your life?

This pandemic may have everyone around you living in fear, but fear DOESN’T have to have a seat at your table! At New Vision Counseling & Consulting, we are here to help you. Call or email us today at (405) 921-7776 or go to New Vision Counseling and Consulting to set up your first appointment. You may feel alone, but with counseling you don’t have to be! We look forward to walking with you through this challenging season!

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, or EMDR, is a type of therapy that helps people heal from trauma and disturbing events or life experiences using eye movements, taps, or sounds. The research over the past 20-30 years shows that it can be a very effective form of treatment for a range of issues, especially people dealing with current and past traumas and PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). Anxiety, depression, and other issues can also be treated with EMDR.

What many people like about the process is that it does not involve medications and is different from traditional talk therapy. Instead of mainly talking about all your problems or traumas and trying to make some sense of them, with EMDR you bring up the traumas and distressing events and allow your brain to reprocess them in whatever ways it needs to in order to heal. As a client, you are completely conscious and aware as you just allow your brain to do the healing, while the therapist guides the process.

That sounds good, but also a little strange. What’s really going on here…are you hypnotizing me?

No hypnosis here, and as I mentioned above, you will remain conscious and aware during the entire process. What many experts believe is happening in EMDR is that we are using a process the brain already uses at night during dream sleep and REM sleep to help us work through and process what happened during the day and in the past. What we notice in dream sleep and REM sleep, is that our eyes move back and forth while the brain is processing. You may have seen someone else’s eyes doing this while sleeping and wondered what was going on. This is the process that EMDR is imitating.

Okay, so how does this really work?

Have you ever had a moment where you thought something like, “I feel like a little kid again,” or “I feel like I am in high school”? Where did that come from? Most likely, something in the present connected you to that past (unless you really are a kid or in high school). You may even begin to act like you did as a child or a high school student and feel the things you felt at that time. Before you know it, you are remembering some of the events that occurred at that time. If the memories are negative or traumatic, you may start to have some of the same negative beliefs now that you had about yourself back then, like “I am so stupid,” or “I can’t get anything right,” or “I have no control”. You may also experience physical symptoms like you did back then. EMDR works by targeting the memories from the past causing these present reactions and feelings, and then helping resolve them in a more beneficial and healing way for you.

You may also like to think about it this way: When a distressing event or a trauma occurs, it gets stored in the brain just like you capture a moment when you take a picture. However, in addition to the picture, the sounds, thoughts, feelings (emotional and physical) all get recorded. That information, like a picture, can get locked or frozen in time. Now, whenever something that even remotely reminds you, consciously or unconsciously, of that event, you re-experience that event in the present to some degree. If the brain does not process the information and make it a part of your past, it will continue reacting to it as if it is still occurring today. This can happen in subtle ways such as negative thoughts, fatigue, irritability, depression or anxiety, or not-so-subtle ways, like flashbacks, nightmares, panic attacks, extreme reactions to others, debilitating fear or anxiety.

EMDR helps to “unfreeze” the memories in the past so the brain can reprocess through them in the present. This occurs in a safe environment with support and guidance from a therapist. The brain can then allow the memory to be an event in the past, just like other events in the past, but with less emotional intensity whenever it comes up. Subsequently, when those distressing memories are resolved and reprocessed, other things associated to that memory, like other memories, negative beliefs, fears, panic, and sometimes even physical symptoms, can also heal and change.

As a Christian, how does EMDR fit into my faith?

This is a very important question! At New Vision Counseling and Consulting we bring together biblical principles with cutting-edge counseling techniques so you can get the best treatment for you as a Christian.  EMDR seems to work because it taps into our God-given system and brain to heal. God created us in amazing and beautiful ways and we get to utilize those. In addition, all throughout Scripture God’s people use past stories and events to transform how they live in the present. How they related to those stories determined how they lived in the present. Reminding yourself and understanding who you are in Christ and who created you leads you to live a completely different life, with new thoughts, feelings, and beliefs!

Have you ever noticed that when you change your perspective or story about what is happening to you, you change? For instance, someone really hurt you by something they said and it really gets you down (if not downright angry). You stress about it, struggle with it, but then one day you come to a new understanding, either about yourself, the other person, or about God. With this new understanding comes new feelings, and with these new feelings you have new thoughts, and with these new thoughts you take new actions. From these changes you heal and get past the hurt and you transform. This is the very process that EMDR can help stimulate and encourage.

I believe EMDR helps you find new perspectives, and when you have a faith that is all about changing the way you view the world and people (i.e. love your enemies, love one another, forgive one another), you are able to experience dramatic breakthroughs through this process. EMDR may be able to help you change the way you see or relate to things so that you can live in greater freedom today! As the scripture in Galatians 5:1 exclaims, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.”

What if I am not a Christian, can I come to New Vision for EMDR?

Yes! We will honor and value you wherever you are at in regards to faith, and we will respect that. We will gladly provide EMDR and help you through what you are needing. We want you to experience the healing from your past traumas and difficulties. It is a blessing to be able to use this tool with so many people to help resolve trauma and other difficulties

What do I need to do in order to get started?

Give us a Call and get an appointment! When we meet at our first appointment we will determine if EMDR is right for you, because, first and foremost, we want to make sure that we provide the best treatment for you. EMDR, like any other therapy, is not a cure-all for everything and everyone, but it has shown thrown many studies over many years that it is effective. At the first session we will make a plan together and determine where to start your healing. Also, EMDR requires no homework! You do the therapy during the session (generally 45-50 minutes) and then continue it at the next session.

We look forward to helping you on your healing journey!

Written by:
Ben Thompson, LMFT

Ben Thompson is a Licensed Marital and Family Therapist who specializes in helping individuals and couples breakthrough their pasts so they can live more powerfully in the present and future.

He is trained in EMDR.

For more information about EMDR, go to emdria.org. If you would like to see the extensive research and studies on EMDR to their Resources link at https://www.emdria.org/page/emdrarticles.

If you are doing a little digging and you want to know what approaches and therapies are out there, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (or CBT) most certainly will come up. At New Vision Counseling in Edmond and Oklahoma City locations, you will find the counselors and therapists often utilizing a form or fashion of CBT.  CBT is an approach to counseling with statistics to back its value and impact. But should a Christian consider this approach? In this article I will explain some of the limitations this approach has for the Christian client. I will also highlight the ways CBT does fit in a Biblical framework. Consider these various aspects and make the best choice for yourself.

When viewing CBT through the eyes of a Christian, it has some limitations. One of the limitations of CBT is that it does not address spiritual aspects, as it primarily focuses on the “thoughts, feelings and emotions” of an individual. It may call various aspects of spirituality as wrong thinking and part of unhealthy internal self-talk. Because CBT does not pick up on spiritual aspects of the thought process, CBT then can exclude the core beliefs of the Christian faith. A core belief is a person’s building block in the way they see life around them. Traditional CBT may not affirm the unique beliefs a Christian holds and therefore could be detrimental to the client. 

A second limitation of CBT is the perspective that says a person is responsible for their thoughts. Traditional CBT does not include the Christian truth that involves John 10:10 describing the “enemy of our souls” by saying the “thief comes to steal, kill and destroy”. In my experience, both personally and professionally, the “enemy” implants negative thoughts and feelings that affect self-talk and self-perception. It is crucial for a person to understand that the origin of these thoughts is not from themselves to spare unneeded shame or condemnation, and ultimately this makes it easier for the person to distinguish right thinking.

Although there are some limitations to CBT in the Christian faith, there are some elements that agree in scripture.

• Take every thought captive.

• In 2 Cor 10:5, Paul teaches us that we are to take every thought captive and make it submissive to Christ. The word “captive” is very strong language and refers to a military submission in its meaning. There is a charge to very strongly submit our thoughts unto the only true Word, that is, Jesus. In challenging our self-talk, we get to speak truth against lies. We get to question what thoughts are truthful, and what thoughts are lies about who we are, how we see the world around us, and how we think about situations. 

• Renew your mind daily.
• In Romans 12:2 we learn that we are “transformed by renewing our minds”. CBT describes how you can have a new perspective on the way you think, feel and behave by changing how you see situations. This can be done at any point in time, even reflecting upon past experiences. It is a quick tool to use by asking “Do I really believe this or not?” Renewing the mind is a major attribute of CBT.

• Meditate on these things…
• Phil 4:8 teaches that we are to think on “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy”. This fits along with CBT as it pushes people to think positively and with a gratitude perspective. CBT says the more you think on positive things, the more it will change your “thoughts, feelings and emotions” for the better, and this component is seen in Phil 4:8.

• WWJD
• What Would Jesus Do? Jesus’ approach had elements of CBT when he said, “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow has enough worry of its own,”(Matt 6:34). This indicates the importance of living in the present, being aware of the moment you’re in and not of the future or past. This confronts anxiety (being weighed down by the future) and depression (being weighed down by the past).

So if you are in the OKC Metro area, and you are looking to utilize CBT Christian approaches, don’t hesitate to contact New Vision Counseling. These therapists will find ways to apply therapies and counseling techniques that are best suited for you—whether CBT or other approaches.

Written by: 
Caleb McKean, LPC

Caleb focuses on the gospel of Jesus with the strength of the Holy Spirit to help you identify your purpose through scripture, and find tools that will guide you even when you are done with Counseling.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Is a solution-focused, goal-oriented form of talk therapy that combines cognitive and behavioral principles and methods to treat a wide range of issues including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorders, to name a few (APA, n.d.).  CBT assumes that psychological distress is, in part, due to faulty or unhelpful ways of thinking.  As unhelpful thoughts can make it difficult for a person to function confidently in different situations, CBT focuses on developing healthy strategies to address maladaptive thought patterns and behaviors to break the cycle of dysfunctional habitual behaviors.  The benefits of CBT include helping reduce stress, manage grief, cope with complicated relationships, and face many other common life challenges (Fenn & Bryne, 2013).

According to Corey (2009), CBT assumes that we are not disturbed by the events in our lives but that our emotions stem mainly from our beliefs, evaluations, interpretation, and reaction to life situations.  Emotional reactions are associated with basic beliefs and therefore cognitively created. This approach is based on a structured psychoeducational model that aims to change how a person thinks (cognitive) and what they do (behavior).  CBT, therefore, uses both cognitive and behavioral techniques.  Through the therapeutic process, you learn skills to help identify and dispute irrational beliefs that have been developed.  With an emphasis on the present, CBT focuses on ‘here and now’ problems and difficulties instead of spending inordinate time on past events.  This approach addresses current issues in addition to future problems.

Getting the most out of CBT

CBT is not effective for everyone.  Here are a few tips that will help you get the most out of your sessions:

• Think of therapy as a partnership. 
• CBT is a collaborative therapy, requiring the individual and counselor to work together to set mutually agreed goals.  Goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-limited.  Therapy is most effective when you are an active participant and share in decision-making and goal setting.  Give some thought to what you want to discuss during sessions.

• Do not be afraid to open up. 
• It is normal to experience difficulty opening up about your thoughts, feelings, and experiences.  As success with therapy depends on your willingness to disclose, discuss any reservations about opening up with your therapist.

• Follow your treatment plan. 
• You may feel tempted to skip sessions if you are experiencing a significant increase or even decrease in mood; however, doing so may disrupt your progress. Make a commitment to attend sessions as scheduled. 

• Don’t expect instant results.
• Working through emotional issues can be painful and challenging, especially if something taught you that feelings were unsafe.  You may feel worse until you learn to accept and tolerate your feelings. You may need several sessions before you begin to see progress.

• Do your homework!
• Homework assignments are used to reinforce the learning of CBT concepts.  An emphasis on the role of homework assignments that draws from a variety of cognitive and behavioral strategies to bring about change places responsibility on you, the client, to assume an active role in applying what you are learning in your daily life.  As therapy is seen as an educational process, you are encouraged to read self-help books as well as practicing healthy coping skills outside of regular therapy sessions. Making change is challenging but doing work outside of the session is an essential step in learning how to adjust your own thinking, problematic emotions and behavior.

• “I don’t feel any different.”
• If you don’t feel that you’re benefiting from CBT after several sessions, talk to your therapist. You and your therapist can explore other treatment approaches.

Length of therapy

CBT is generally considered short-term therapy typically ranging from about five to 20 sessions (Fenn & Bryne, 2013). You and your therapist will discuss how many sessions may be right for you.  Factors that determine the length of therapy include type of disorder or situation, severity of symptoms (frequency, intensity, and duration), and how quickly you make progress.

Is Christian counseling in Edmond or Oklahoma City your next step to breaking free of fears and finding peace? If so, give us a call or schedule your free consultation.  Let us work with you on your path to healing and restoration.  We look forward to hearing from you.

Written by: Donnulette Dulaney, MS LPC

Donnulette Dulaney, is a Licensed Professional Counselor that uses a collaborative, client-centered approach that focuses on what you as a “one of a kind” person needs, and works towards achieving your goals and creating a life that you are excited to live!

References

American Psychological Association. (n.d.).  What is cognitive behavioral therapy?  Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/patients-and-families/cognitive-behavioral

Corey, G. (2009, 2005).  Theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy. (8th ed.).  Belmont, CA.

Fenn, K, and Bryne, M. (2013).  The key principles of cognitive behavioural therapy.   Retrieved from https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1755738012471029

Will Marriage Counseling help?

Where has the time gone?  You quietly tell yourself “I guess nothing lasts forever”.

You used to be so in love with each other. Enjoying each other’s company and time spent with the family, but now the spark, romance is gone.

Sure you both still say the words “I love you,” but there is something a bit hollow in them.

A stay at home mom and your husband working all the time leaves you both feeling empty and alone.

Household responsibilities and work seem to get in the way of taking time enjoying each other or the kids.  There is no time for going to the park, walks throughout the neighborhood, or any meaningful interaction as a family.

By the time the chaos of the evening finally winds down, it’s as though one of you or both are completely exhausted and checked out.  What’s worse is that this is the only opportunity you have with one another before the lights go out and you rinse and repeat.

You’ve tried being nice, sending cute texts, focusing more on the other person, providing non-sexual touch, and it feels as though it goes unnoticed.

Your sex life has been emotionally reduced down to a one-night stand.

You’re struggling in every aspect of life trying to hold on to a love that once blossomed.

Not to mention worrying about the kids!!

You want your Marriage Back

Oh, how you want to pour your love out and be loved in return.  You desire romance and friendship, not just to be a single parent raising your kids alone.

Maybe you’ve tried Marriage Counseling before and it was not successful.

If that is you, I am so sorry about your experience.  All too often, as a Marriage and Family Therapist, I hear this very sentiment from couples in their first counseling session.

In my experience marriage counseling, only works when both partners are willing to be open and honest with one another.  Couples have to actively participate in changing the rut they find themselves stuck in.

Here are 5 tips that I have personally seen, help couples like you in marriage counseling.

• RememberRemember how you felt when you first met, how you fell in love with one another, and why you chose to get married in the first place.  It’s time to remember the vows you made to one another at the altar.

  Try and remember the good times you had.  Right now it may be hard to see those good times, through the mess you’re in now, but try.

  You have the ability to change who you are right now and be who you once were.  Madly in love, so full of life and joy, do you remember?

• EngageUse this opportunity to begin pouring into your loved one.  The key in this is to not do this with the expectation of anything in return.  The goal here is to see once again the person you once were so in love with. And for them to feel love without strings attached.

  Take time to focus on your friendship.  There once was a time before you were lovers you were friends.  You most likely spent countless hours talking to one another about nothing and everything.

  Engage your spouse with your time.  You may not even realize how much time you are spending working or even thinking about work when you could be focusing on them.

• RekindleRekindle the fire.  When you build a fire you have to start with the kindling (the small pieces of twigs and dry stuff found on the ground).  These little pieces ignite quickly and burn fast. Their purpose is to burn long enough to ignite the bigger pieces of wood.

  This same principle should be applied to your smoldering relationship.  Begin by doing little things that mean so much to your partner with the hope that they will last long enough to light the bigger deeper parts of the heart.

• ResistAt all costs, resist.  Resist the urge to argue, fight, belittle, begin a tit-for-tat cycle.  These actions are some of the quickest ways to negate any positive momentum you’ve made.  Not only does it hurt your spouse, but it hurts you. It allows bitterness and resentment to creep into your relationship.

  Resist pointing fingers and the blame-game.  Relationships are not always 50/50, sometimes they are 80/20, 99/01, 60/40.  There are times when you have more to give and others where you need to receive.

• RequestRequest help from professionals that specialize in helping couples change their relationship.  If you have a medical condition, you’re going to seek out a specialist for your issue, not a generalist.  Would you like more information on counselors that specialize in Marriage Counseling OKC?

  If you’re seeing a counselor and do not feel it’s helping, request a referral to another counselor.  Requesting a referral does not mean that the counselor is bad, there are a number of reasons why counseling may not be working.

We provide Marriage Counseling in OKC and Edmond

Just because your marriage is struggling now, doesn’t mean it has to remain this way.  At New Vision Counseling we help struggling couples like you create a life worth celebrating.  We have 2 locations conveniently located in Oklahoma City and Edmond!!  Give us a Call or schedule your free consultation.  Let us work with you on your path to healing and restoration.  We look forward to hearing from you.

Written by:  Daniel Edwards, II., MS, LMFT.  Daniel is a Licensed Marital and Family Therapist that specializes in couples counseling focusing on building trust, respect, kindness, and affection in their relationships.

Can Therapy Really Help ME?

Yes! The great news is that research consistently confirms that the majority of people who receive therapy are better off than those who did not receive therapy. We can say with confidence that therapy is helpful for most people!

However, despite these results many people never take the step (and it is a courageous one, for sure) to get help. At New Vision Counseling in Edmond and Oklahoma City, we want you to know that help is available and we want to join you on your journey. We also understand you might have some reservations, so we are going to address those in this blog.

I understand therapy helps others, but I’m still not sure that therapy can help with my problem

Have you ever had the experience where you thought you were the only one who had a problem or a struggle, only to find out it is a very common problem? The writer of Ecclesiastes writes, “there is nothing new under the sun,” and this is true in therapy. Therapists spend their days listening to and encountering the problems people have, and even though your problem is unique to you in some ways, there is a very good chance your therapist has encountered a similar problem before. Some therapists may even specialize in your problem—anxiety, depression, marriage problems, anger, grief, relationships, OCD, etc.

We see every individual as unique and tailor treatment to what you need. Our goal is to help you with your problem and your goals, not fit you into a box!

I’m nervous about coming in, is that normal?

Yes, it is totally normal to feel nervous! You are taking a major step toward change and transformation when you come to counseling, and it can seem scary and daunting. Coming to an appointment to face something you are ready to change means admitting you need some help, and few people like to admit that! However, clients will often express to me that even though the step in the therapy office was hard, they feel a little regret for not taking the step sooner.

It is also normal to feel excitement and hope about finally getting some help with something that has you stuck! Whether it is excitement or nervousness, or something else, the most important thing is you’ve taken courageous action to heal and change.

Only crazy people go to therapy, right?

Many clients tell me that before coming to therapy, they always saw therapy as somewhere only really messed up or “crazy” people go. Nothing could be further from the truth! Therapy is not just for people struggling intensely with mental health issues and difficult situations, therapy is for anyone wanting to change and heal. In truth, the people that come to therapy are the ones ready to change and stop feeling so “crazy”  on the inside or in a relationship. Maybe this puts it better: “Crazy” people don’t go to therapy, but people tired of feeling crazy do.

I’ve seen pastors, lawyers, executives, oil field workers, students, mothers, fathers, kids, families, and couples of many different cultures. At the end of the day, those needing and looking for help are the people in therapy.

If I want to start therapy, what do I need to do now?

Give us a Call at New Vision Counseling in Edmond and Oklahoma City! Or schedule a free consultation. We will take your call and discuss with you how we can help and how soon we can get you an appointment. No question is too big or too small! We have an awesome team of therapists ready to work with you on your path to healing and restoration. We look forward to hearing from you!

Ben Thompson, LMFT

If you are in the process of looking for a counselor, let me first say congratulations!! Yes, congratulations for beginning the steps of self-care.  Gyms and weight loss programs are full in January and February, with New Year’s resolutions. Perhaps more important is our mental health. A few years ago, it was reported that by 2020, anxiety disorders would be the 2nd leading diagnosis for mental health.  Counselors can also help couples struggling in marriage, trauma, pre-marital, family issues, a wide range of emotional issues that can keep you from living your best life.  To help you navigate how to find a counselor that fits your needs we are going to share questions you can ask to help you connect with the right person. 

A few short years ago, when people needed to look for a service, they turned to the yellow pages!  Do you even know what a phone book is? Baby boomers may have an old one laying around but that is not the place to look for your counselor.  Ads in phone books are not regulated or verified!  

Where do you go when looking for a service?  Chances are, you google something like Counselor in OKC.  That is a good place to start, google reviews lets you read comments about people’s experiences with therapist and what different offices in your area have to offer.  New Vision has great reviews because we have awesome therapists!! I would not hesitate to give any of our therapists a referral. This leads us to our first question, if you have a friend that is a therapist, ask if he or she could refer you to a therapist.  They will be able to give you names of therapist they know and trust.  

You can ask another professional, someone, you work with, someone you trust and that has a good network of other professionals.  You can ask friends and family if they will be supportive and not intrusive. You shouldn’t feel like you need to explain the reason you need a counselor.  Counselor’s have a wide range of skills and there could be a hundred different reasons you are seeking a counselor; you don’t owe anyone an explanation. 

You can also ask your human resources personnel at work if they offer an EAP, an Employee Assistance Program, some businesses offer EAP’s as part of your benefits plan and will pay for a specified number of counseling sessions.   Your insurance company may also be able to give you referrals to counselors in OKC who are paneled with them. Therapist who are paneled with insurance companies, have been vetted and credentials checked and re-checked. 

Use the internet, sites like Psychology Today, are used by professionals to help you find what you are looking for in a therapist.  You can search for Counselors in your area, the therapist professional qualifications, their specialties, insurance they take, and a biography are listed. If you want a Christian counselor, you can look at sites like Christian Counselor’s Network, or American Association of Christian Counselors, again credentials and education are screened before they will list them as a referral.

Gather a list of two or three counselors that pique your interest.  A great therapist will build a relationship with you, give you skills and walk beside you to be the best version of you. If you are struggling with unprocessed emotions, they will be able to help you walk through how to deal with uncomfortable, painful, negative emotions.  If you do not make a connection with the first one try the next one on your list until you find the one that puts you at ease and can draw out the emotions you have been stuffing and avoiding. The process is sometimes painful but can make a world of difference when you know you are no longer fighting the battle alone.

Once you have your top 2 or 3 counselors, you can call and ask specific questions to see if they feel like a good fit and if you connect with them.  New Vision offers a free 10-minute phone consultation, this would be a good time to use that opportunity. You want to be able to trust, build a rapport, and feel at ease while navigating through issues that can be debilitating in your daily activities and keeping you from living your best life and feeling like you are reaching your full potential.  

Let 2020 be the start of you taking charge of your mental health, of you taking care of your overall wellbeing, not only getting in physical shape but working on your mental health as well.  A new decade a new you, taking care of mind, body, and soul!

Partner with New Vision Counseling because we use Biblical Principles combined with cutting edge Counseling Techniques to help you Discover what better looks like for you and then Equip you with the tools to Create it.

Family Counselors Near Me Edmond Oklahoma

Best Christian Counseling Services – Oklahoma City

Marriage brings about many changes and challenges. One such challenge is building a loving and cooperative relationship with your in-laws.  Here are three tips to keep the peace and steer clear of relationship pitfalls with In-Laws.

Establish clear boundaries right away.

The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. Psalm 16:6 (NIV).

Your home is intended to be one of the pleasant places to establish and develop a family.  The home is the space that should feel pleasant, safe, and beautiful.  When couples marry, they must determine what their pleasant place looks and feels like. Although healthy relationships with family can be the most challenging to establish and form, healthy boundaries must be established to prevent any disruption to this sanctuary.   Couples should discuss boundaries for in-laws before marriage and then communicate these boundaries with the in-laws to minimize conflict.  Consider this scripture, “That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.” Genesis 2:24-25 (NIV).  As a married couple you and your spouse will establish values and traditions for your growing family apart from those of your parents and family including childrearing practices.  Your in-laws may not agree but you must both present a united front to your families.

Build a Healthy Relationship with Your In-Laws

“Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth.”  Ephesians 6:2-3

This scripture extends to your in-laws as well. Treat in-laws like you would any other member of your family as they are your family.  Love your in-laws and tell them you do. Build a healthy relationship with your in-laws but do not expect to be close right away. Give your relationship the time it needs to grow. Discover ways to connect through shared hobbies or interests as it demonstrates that you are making an effort to know and understand them.  Listen to their stories even if you have heard them several times.  They can provide a wealth of knowledge and wisdom about life in general or about your partner, which may help you learn more about them. Also, it might make them feel good be listened to as well.   

Keep quarrels to yourself

“Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.  And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.”  II Timothy 2:23-24 (NIV)

Do not complain about your spouse to your parents or in-laws.  Hearing complaints will likely cause them to become defensive. In-laws will always take the side of their child, sibling, or family member. Discussing problems or issues in the marriage may make the situation worse.  Work out your issues privately with your spouse. Do not attempt to get your spouse’s family involved or make them choose sides. 

In a Conflict Between Your Spouse and Your Family, Support Your Spouse.

Your loyalty is to your spouse. It is your duty to support your husband or wife and manage your family in a way that consistently conveys this fact. Again, you must both present a united front to your families, making it clear from the beginning that your spouse comes first. Marital problems typically occur quickly in couples where an allegiance has not been established. A failure to support your partner may lead to bitter disputes and one partner feeling isolated.  You and your spouse must agree on how to handle issues as in-laws are an inherent part of your life. A mutual understanding will help nurture healthy relationships with your in-laws.   

Be as patient with in-laws as they learn to let go. Don’t complain to others or speak unfavorably of your in-laws. Do not compare your in-laws to your parents or family. Be willing to compromise. Your family may have different values that you feel need defending when you’re with your in-laws but do not take the bait!   Offense is one of the most common causes of relationship pitfalls with in-laws. Let go of the need to prove anything. Again, give your relationship with your in-laws time to grow.