Stephanie Kramer, Richardson Christian Counseling

About Stephanie Kramer

Stephanie Kramer is the Editor-in-Chief of a leading faith-based publication. She holds a BA in Art History and Visual Anthropology from Western Washington University and brings extensive experience from her previous role as Editor of a prominent faith-based magazine. With a rich background in graphic design, media, ghost writing and promotions, Stephanie has successfully managed and directed various media campaigns for non-profits and political organizations. Additionally, she has served on several boards, contributing her expertise in strategic planning and community outreach. A dedicated mother and homeschool educator, Stephanie is also a committed youth mentor, passionate about using her skills to inspire and empower others through her work in publishing.

Tips for Being a Step Parent at Christmas

Tips for Being a Step Parent at Christmas

Stephanie Kramer2025-11-12T08:23:05+00:00November 12th, 2025|Family Counseling, Featured, Professional Development|

Being a parent at Christmas can be stressful. Being a stepparent at Christmas can be even more of a challenge. While navigating holiday traditions in a stepfamily has obstacles, creating meaningful memories can bring your new family together and help you focus on unity rather than division. Here are some ideas to help you develop a sense of unity and joy during the holiday season: Personalized Ornaments One way to create lasting memories is to make or buy personalized ornaments representing each family member. Every year, add a new ornament for each person to symbolize the growth and changes in your blended family and their individual lives. This tradition can help all members feel included and appreciated. Family Portrait Make a new tradition of having a family photo or formal portrait taken each holiday season. These new images will be more than a precious keepsake; they represent a deliberate symbol of a unified family. Use the photos to decorate your home or send them out as Christmas cards to loved ones. However, you decide to use them, making the effort to take these special photos will be unifying for all members of the family. Volunteer Together Engage in a volunteer activity together as a family, such as serving at church or a local shelter, participating in a toy drive, or baking treats for the less fortunate. Acts of service create powerful bonds, reinforce Christian values of generosity and gratitude, and help blended families work together for a common purpose. Photo Albums or Scrapbooks Make a holiday photo album or scrapbook documenting your blended family's celebrations each year. Encourage each family member to contribute photos, drawings, a written reflection, or a small memento. Over time, this book will become a cherished keepsake. Advent Calendars Create custom advent calendars with activities or [...]

Comments Off

Helping Children with ADHD Thrive in Church

Helping Children with ADHD Thrive in Church

Stephanie Kramer2025-06-28T09:11:27+00:00June 30th, 2025|ADHD/ADD, Christian Counseling for Children, Family Counseling, Featured|

Children with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) bring a lot of life into the children’s ministry. Their high energy, creative minds, and natural curiosity can be a delight to teach. That doesn’t mean that these balls of energy don’t face challenges in traditional ministry settings. Many kids with ADHD struggle to sit still during sermons and have a hard time focusing on structured lessons. Children with ADHD in Church As a result of these challenges, these precious children may feel out of place or discouraged in the church environment, the very place they should feel the most accepted and loved. There are a few strategies that a ministry can leverage to ensure that the church meets the needs of all children. After all, ministry is meant to reach all people, even those who may pose a challenge. Create a structured (but flexible) environment Children (and adults) with ADHD often struggle with unpredictability. A clear, consistent routine helps them feel secure and in control. To help students with ADHD feel secure, stick to an established schedule during your children’s church or Sunday school lessons to help create predictability. However, be sure to allow for some flexibility, such as a movement break when the wiggles start getting the best of them. Incorporate movement Speaking of the wiggles… Sitting still for extended periods can be tough for kids with ADHD. Help engage their minds by encouraging movement throughout your sessions. This can help them focus on the central point of the lesson. Incorporate activities such as role-playing, using hand motions during worship songs, or allowing kids time to walk and talk to each other during discussions. Include hands-on crafts and activities to help them refocus. Offer concise instructions Kids with ADHD may struggle to process multi-step instructions. Breaking directions down into smaller, [...]

Comments Off

OCD Help: Take a Vacation from Your Worries

OCD Help: Take a Vacation from Your Worries

Stephanie Kramer2025-05-23T06:59:34+00:00May 23rd, 2025|Featured, Individual Counseling, OCD, Relationship Issues|

Ever thought about taking a vacation from your brain? One of the most challenging aspects of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is the belief that focusing on a problem is necessary to prevent it from spiraling out of control. This is a common misconception. In reality, obsessing over a problem doesn’t grant you control; it often increases your anxiety and perpetuates the OCD cycle. Without OCD help, this can leave you worn out and exhausted. It’s important to realize that taking a break from a problem doesn’t mean you’re ignoring it or letting it go unresolved. Just as your body needs rest to function properly, so does your mind. Allowing yourself a mental break can provide you with clarity and perspective, enabling you to approach the problem with a fresh, calmer mindset later on. OCD Help: Take a Mental Vacation Imagine lounging on a beach, sipping a cool drink, and feeling the warmth of the sun on your skin. The waves gently lap at the shore, and your biggest concern is whether to take a dip in the ocean or finish your book. Sounds like a dream, right? Now imagine the same scenario but without the constant, nagging thoughts that usually follow you everywhere, turning even a relaxing vacation into a mental marathon. What if you could take a vacation – not just from work or your daily routine – but from your worries? For those with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), that sounds like a fantasy. Here’s the good news: you can do it, even if you’re not actually lying on a beach! Here are some fun and practical methods of OCD help to give your brain a much-needed break from its usual obsessive chatter. The Mental Suitcase Before any vacation, you pack a suitcase, right? So, why not do the same [...]

Comments Off

How to Communicate Boundaries in Friendships

How to Communicate Boundaries in Friendships

Stephanie Kramer2024-09-27T10:24:55+00:00May 22nd, 2024|Featured, Individual Counseling, Personal Development, Relationship Issues|

The boundaries in friendships you set will likely differ for every relationship in your life. Take time to consider what boundaries are important and healthy in each friendship. Think about the behaviors and actions that make you feel uncomfortable or stressed and use this information to help guide you as you draw your boundaries. How to communicate the boundaries to others After determining where to set healthy boundaries, it’s time to communicate them to the other person in the relationship. Reinforce their value A good way to start a conversation about relationship boundaries is to reiterate your positive feelings about your friend. Help them to feel valued and respected. Be specific and sincere in your compliments and your feelings about the relationship. Communicate clearly Be honest and direct in your communication. It might be helpful to write your boundaries down before you express them. This will help you organize your thoughts and allow you to communicate clearly. Be specific Try to be specific when communicating your boundaries. Don’t use vague language that might be unclear. Instead, give specific statements about what you need. State what you need Focus your statements on what you request of your friend, rather than what you don’t like in the relationship. Avoid directly blaming them or pointing out their faults. Instead, focus on what you need. Remain calm Your message will be better received if you stay calm. Find a time and place when you can talk calmly with your friend about your boundaries. Do not raise your voice. Keep your body language and facial expression pleasant and friendly. Don’t apologize or make excuses Avoid the temptation to make excuses or to apologize for your boundaries. Realize that you have the right to draw healthy and reasonable limits and that doing so will ultimately [...]

Comments Off

Stephanie Kramer

About Stephanie Kramer

CONTACT INFO

Richardson Christian Counseling

ABOUT US