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Signs of Depression in Children We Often Ignore and How to Intervene

Signs of Depression in Children We Often Ignore and How to Intervene

Chris Gilliland, Kate Motaung2026-09-16T08:50:33+00:00September 16th, 2026|Christian Counseling for Children, Depression, Family Counseling, Featured|

Every parent will tell you that children do and say unexpected things. It’s not unusual for kids to have unpredictable mood swings occasionally, develop sudden, unexpected quirks seemingly out of nowhere, or have unique preferences when it comes to their daily routine. Reacting to these things rationally can be challenging, but most often they are harmless and amusing. However, there are certain childhood behaviors that go overlooked by parents and teachers alike, which point to something more serious happening. These are signs of depression in children. More Than Sadness Unfortunately, children can experience depression. It happens more often than people realize, and often affects children more deeply than they can express. Unlike sadness, depression is not a passing emotion. It cannot be fixed by a trip to the toy shop or an extra hour of screen time. Depression in children, just as with adults, is not a mood; it is a mental state that persists until it is recognized and treated. Childhood depression is almost always linked to the following experiences: A death in the family or a major life change Bullying or social problems Learning difficulties or academic pressures Conflict and stress at home Abuse and adverse childhood experiences Ongoing illness or disability Genetics that predispose them to mental health challenges There could be a combination of these reasons, or a unique situation that triggers depression in a child. There might be an underlying mood disorder or condition that requires long-term treatment, or the child might benefit from play therapy or mental health support. Only when you notice the signs of depression in children can you begin to intervene and prescribe treatment for them. Common Signs of Depression in Children and How You Can Help Depression affects a person’s feelings, mind, and body. The signs of depression in [...]

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Five Things That Negatively Impact Male Mental Health the Most

Five Things That Negatively Impact Male Mental Health the Most

Chris Gilliland, Kate Motaung2026-09-04T06:30:45+00:00September 4th, 2026|Featured, Individual Counseling, Men’s Issues|

Statistically, men are less often diagnosed with depression than women, and yet are more likely to commit suicide. There is something important about male mental health that lurks in the gap between these two facts: that men are seemingly less depressed than women, but take their own lives in far greater numbers every year. This disparity raises the question: “Why is it that more men are dealing with depression but not talking about it? Why do more men not seek help when they experience depression?” Many men suffer silently because they simply don’t have the vocabulary to describe their struggle, while others are just trying to get by without having to ask for help. Men have been raised to believe that asking for help is a sign of weakness, or sold lies about masculinity and mental health. However, the truth of God’s Word will ultimately set men free if they can learn to tune into the right “voices” and obtain correct information. No man wants to feel impotent or victimized, but the truth is that men do struggle. Being a man does not mean being on par with gods and angels. They bleed, they get hurt, life affects them, and it is only when men acknowledge that they’re stuck or struggling that they can find the help they need to heal or move on. Maybe it’s time to address the shame and fear that have been holding men back, assess the situation they’re in, and talk to each other about the struggle. In this way, men can begin to make progress as men and as individuals by talking privately and openly with a trusted friend, or even accessing the power of a group of men sharing similar experiences. You are never truly alone unless you want to be. Jesus [...]

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Forgiveness in the Bible: 8 Scriptures to Help with Forgiveness

Forgiveness in the Bible: 8 Scriptures to Help with Forgiveness

Cyndi Kay Green2026-09-04T07:35:00+00:00August 29th, 2026|Anger Issues, Anxiety, Featured, Relationship Issues|

In its simplest form, forgiveness is letting go of anger and bitterness toward someone who has hurt you. It is learning how to replace those negative emotions with positive thoughts. Forgiveness is needed so there is no internalization of emotions that could be detrimental to a person’s mental health. Learning about forgiveness in the Bible is a great way to process forgiving those who have caused hurt and destruction. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. – Ephesians 4:32, NIV The Importance of Forgiveness Forgiveness doesn’t mean that the event is forgotten. It has nothing to do with how the other person feels. The act of forgiveness doesn’t mean the pain doesn’t matter or that the relationship has not been affected. There are a few important reasons forgiveness is the best thing to do. Forgiveness is not as much for the other person as it is for the one who is forgiving. It creates a healing process that cultivates peace and hope. Forgiveness can also help in other relationships. Holding a grudge keeps a person in a constant state of frustration, which will affect other relationships. Forgiveness means that a person wants to heal and move forward without the attachment of pain. Forgiveness creates a healthier life. It will help with blood pressure, sleep, self-esteem, and anxiety. Forgiveness can lead to restoration. Even though it is okay not to resume a relationship with the other person, restoration can bring healing, learning, and growth. Forgiveness Tips from Scripture Forgiveness in the Bible is a great way to navigate the process of letting go of pain caused by another person. Regardless of which translation, forgiveness holds the same meaning. We all need forgiveness: No one is without making a mistake. for [...]

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What’s Making Your Child Wake Up Screaming? Let’s Talk About Night Terrors In Kids

What’s Making Your Child Wake Up Screaming? Let’s Talk About Night Terrors In Kids

Grace Mavindidze2026-07-31T06:52:31+00:00July 31st, 2026|Christian Counseling for Children, Family Counseling, Featured|

It’s impossible to be fully prepared for the moment your child screams in their sleep. Naturally, you’d assume it’s nothing more than a bad dream. But you know when it’s different. You can tell it’s a night terror and not a nightmare by the sound alone. Their cries are loud and sharp, the terror palpable, and calling their name does nothing to rouse them. They’re visibly shaking with wide-open eyes, but their mind seems miles away. You might be surprised to learn that night terrors aren’t uncommon. And being prepared with the right knowledge makes bedtime much easier. Keep reading to learn all about night terrors in kids and how to make bedtime peaceful again. Nightmares vs Night Terrors in Kids It’s important to know that night terrors aren’t merely incredibly strong dreams. It’s more like a temporary disruption in their natural sleep pattern. For whatever reason, their brain can’t quite make it to waking up. Sort of like falling asleep while panicking. There’s lots of screaming, sweating, and thrashing involved. Sometimes, your child will even pace or talk to themselves in their sleep. What’s so unusual is that they’ll have absolutely no memory of the episode in the morning. Honestly, it’s a deeply unsettling experience for anyone observing. For children between three and seven years old, experiencing these is a common occurrence. Things like feeling anxious, being completely wiped out, or even just being a little dehydrated can spark them. Sometimes, there’s no specific thing that sets them off. Kids sometimes just have night terrors because their brain is still learning how to sleep deeply. Why Are We So Scared of Night Terrors? Being a mom can certainly make you jump to the worst-case scenario. Like there’s something you missed during the day, or your bedtime routine isn’t [...]

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The Confusing Link Between Academic Brilliance and Burnout in Bipolar in Teens

The Confusing Link Between Academic Brilliance and Burnout in Bipolar in Teens

Grace Mavindidze2026-06-30T04:49:37+00:00June 30th, 2026|Christian Counseling For Teens, Featured, Individual Counseling|

More than any other age group, teenagers experience the most pressure to perform well in school, and the situation grows far more complicated when emotional patterns linked to bipolar disorder are in the mix. A student may earn top grades, finish assignments quickly, and speak with confidence in class one week, while another week brings exhaustion, missing homework, and a strong urge to avoid school entirely. These can be signs of burnout in bipolar teens. Teachers and parents see the strong performance and attribute this to the fact that the student works hard, and that this will always be the case. When burnout arrives, and work drops, adults blame laziness, distractions, or social problems. Many times, the deeper emotional pattern connected to bipolar disorder in teens rarely enters the conversation. This confusing cycle leads to frustration for everyone involved, especially the teenager who feels their mind racing one week and slowing down the next. How Perfection Pressure Increases Burnout in Bipolar Teens Academic success brings expectations from parents, teachers, and even the teen themselves. When emotional highs lead to impressive results, people expect the same performance every week. A teenager dealing with bipolar disorder may feel this pressure deeply. During periods of lower energy, they remember their previous success and feel frustrated that their mind does not work the same way. The cycle becomes painful for several reasons: First, the teen compares their current performance with their earlier achievements. Second, they fear disappointing people who praised them before. Third, they feel confused about their own abilities. These thoughts create stress that creates burnouts during emotional lows. Academic Burnout Following Emotional Crashes After a period of high energy, for a kid with bipolar disorder, an emotional drop can soon follow. A student who felt unstoppable days earlier now feels drained [...]

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The Real Reasons We Often Miss Signs of Autism in Adults

The Real Reasons We Often Miss Signs of Autism in Adults

Kate Motaung2026-07-21T13:14:50+00:00March 31st, 2026|Autism Spectrum Disorder, Featured, Individual Counseling|

Current statistics show that approximately 2.2% of the American adult population is autistic. That might sound like a low number, but it equates to one in 45 adults. This means that if you work in an office space of over 50 people, there is a statistical chance that at least one person in your work group has autism. For many people, autism is a vague and hard-to-understand disorder, and even when faced with obvious signs of autism, it is hard to notice. Even the people who live with autism often fail to recognize the signs and get diagnosed late in life. The signs of autism are not always so easy to recognize, whether as an outsider or someone on the spectrum. Being able to recognize and interpret signs of autism helps you to be compassionate and validating of those on the spectrum, whether they are diagnosed or not. In many cases, the most effective way of supporting and accommodating autistic people is to adjust your communication style with them. Beyond that, there are things you can consider doing so that the autistic person in your life feels valued, validated, and catered to. Camouflaged and Unseen From school-going age, people are collectively prescribed a one-size-fits-all template of behavior to follow. This social code of conduct is not explicitly taught anywhere; it is as if we learn it through osmosis. However, it is as if people with a neurological developmental disorder don’t get the memo on how to act, what to do, and what not to do. Autistic people are frequently forced to learn the rules of social conduct by getting into trouble at school, getting disciplined at home, or getting bullied by peers. One of the major reasons we miss the signs of autism in people of any age is [...]

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Mood Stabilizers and Teens: Where to Find Support

Mood Stabilizers and Teens: Where to Find Support

Kate Motaung2026-07-21T13:15:06+00:00February 20th, 2026|Bipolar Disorder, Christian Counseling For Teens, Featured, Individual Counseling|

Bipolar disorder in teens can be challenging to accurately diagnose. This is because most of the bipolar symptoms appear to be normal teen behavior patterns. These symptoms can also be found in other mental health conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, and depression. There are times when medications such as mood stabilizers can be an option for treatment for your teen. It is understandable that there may be concerns about medications for your teen. It is recommended that you take time to understand the medication options, and which one will work best for your teen. Mood stabilizers are used to treat sudden episodes of manic behavior. By balancing the brain chemicals, mood stabilizers help control emotions and mood swings. What Are Mood Stabilizers? Mood stabilizers are a class of medications that are used to treat bipolar disorder. As the name suggests, they stabilize moods to keep the balance between highs and lows. There are cases where they can also reduce the effects of depression. These medications target the neurotransmitters in the brain to decrease abnormal activity in the brain. There are various types of mood stabilizers, but only a few are approved for use in treating teens with bipolar disorder. Lithium For several years, lithium has been the top choice for treating bipolar disorder in teens. This medication has been used since the 1950s and is derived from a naturally occurring lithium salt. It was originally used in the salt form and had a calming effect when used during a manic episode. The side effects of lithium include: Headache Weight gain Weakness Fatigue Vertigo Excessive thirst Memory problems Drowsiness Concentration problems Nausea Increased urination Antidepressants Antidepressants are also used to treat bipolar in teens. These medications are referred to as SNRIs and SSRIs. SNRIs (serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors) raise levels [...]

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Top 10 Triggers for Teenage Chemical Dependency

Top 10 Triggers for Teenage Chemical Dependency

Grace Mavindidze2026-02-19T05:51:38+00:00February 19th, 2026|Chemical Dependency, Christian Counseling For Teens, Featured, Individual Counseling|

As parents, we want to protect our teens from harm so they can have a bright future ahead. One of the biggest challenges that is rapidly getting out of control is chemical dependency among teenagers. It’s hard enough to be a teenager, even without adding drug or alcohol use into the mix; yet more and more youth are resorting to these dangerous behaviors as an escape from the pressure of today’s reality. What are those pressures? While some may argue that these problems stem from personal choices, professionals believe otherwise. Chemical dependency is also not just a physical dependence on substances. It is also a psychological one, especially for teenagers who are still discovering their identity and navigating life’s stresses. With so many different influences, parents and caregivers alike need to understand the biggest risks for teenagers. Then we can equip younger generations with effective coping mechanisms rather than letting them spiral down destructive paths. According to recent studies, substance dependence in teenagers has been steadily rising in this decade more than in any other decade in history. It’s time we all got together as educators, caregivers, and families alike to address the root causes proactively and stop this scourge. The data most experts have accumulated through scientific studies unlock many of the root causes of teen addiction. Triggers for Teen Chemical Dependence from Highest to Lowest The leading cause of chemical dependency in teens, according to a recent study by SAMHSA, the country’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, is peer pressure. It accounts for an average of thirty percent of chemical dependency triggers among adolescents. A close second risk factor has been seen in teenagers who reported having a close family member with substance abuse issues. The reports say these kids are three times more likely to [...]

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How to Stop a Panic Attack: Two Practical Strategies

How to Stop a Panic Attack: Two Practical Strategies

Kate Motaung2026-02-13T07:11:23+00:00February 13th, 2026|Anxiety, Featured, Individual Counseling|

Have you ever felt dizzy, nauseous, had difficulty breathing, or began sweating for seemingly no reason? There are times when our anxiety reaches a point where it is difficult to manage and can leave you feeling crippled with fear and even more overwhelmed. Panic attacks are when you suddenly feel a sense of intense fear and terror that can make it hard to continue functioning normally. When you feel a panic attack coming on, knowing how to manage the symptoms and calm your nervous system can help you move through the moment and restore a sense of peace. What is a panic attack? A panic attack is the sudden onset of intense fear that happens unexpectedly or can be triggered in specific situations. It is marked by physical symptoms, as well as emotional and cognitive symptoms. These symptoms are what make it hard to function or even to calm down when you most need to. Some people have described having an anxiety attack as feeling like they’re dying. The symptoms of a panic attack include having an increased heart rate, sweating, trembling, dizziness, chest pain or discomfort, nausea or stomach cramps, feeling unsteady, and shortness of breath. It is also usually accompanied by feelings of fear and apprehension, often without a clear and direct cause, racing thoughts, having difficulty concentrating, feeling smothered or getting a choking sensation, and the feeling of losing control. Anxiety attacks are similar to panic attacks and the terms are often used interchangeably; however, panic attacks are usually more intense and can feel quite overwhelming. Anxiety attacks, while being generally less intense, can still be distressing and often build over time. Panic attacks are shorter and more intense, usually lasting between 10 to 20 minutes, but anxiety attacks can last longer and may not have a [...]

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Grief Before Its Time: Understanding Anticipatory Grief

Grief Before Its Time: Understanding Anticipatory Grief

Kate Motaung2026-07-21T13:15:22+00:00February 4th, 2026|Featured, Grief Counseling, Individual Counseling|

Grief doesn’t always look the same, nor does it affect a person at the time you might assume it would. Often, the expectation is that grief sets in once you’ve experienced loss of some kind, but the reality is that the grieving process can and does occur earlier. Anticipatory grief is a form of grief that settles before the loss occurs. This can make it hard to process, and it can even result in conflict with loved ones. Why We Grieve Before Loss Happens It can be hard to wrap your head around this idea. Why would someone grieve before they have to, before their loss has taken place? While it seems counterintuitive, it does make sense. Anticipatory grief is more common than you would imagine, and if you’re experiencing it, know that you’re not alone. Other people have also found themselves mourning loss prior to it occurring. One of the reasons why anticipatory grief occurs is that it’s a way for your heart and for your mind to start making sense of a loss that’s on the horizon, and to start processing what that loss means. It can be helpful to think of it as a way we try to prepare ourselves for the worst-case scenario. Anticipatory grief is also a way to cope with the coming loss. Anticipatory grief isn’t necessarily a replacement for the grief that might set in once the loss occurs definitively. It’s a real grief that simply sets in ahead of time. Some situations where anticipatory grief can set in include when you’re dealing with a loved one’s deteriorating health, when your relationship is heading toward a breakup or divorce, and when dealing with issues such as terminal illness. Examples of Anticipatory Grief In talking about anticipatory loss, it’s a form of grief that [...]

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