Aleah Reaves

The holidays are often portrayed as a time for family gatherings, festive meals, and a sense of togetherness. But for some of us, this season can highlight feelings of anxiety brought on by loneliness, especially if circumstances leave us without loved ones nearby. If you are spending the holidays alone or you're battling with loneliness and anxiety, remember this: you are never truly alone. God is always with you, and He can use this time to fill your heart

Take a moment to think back on yourself as a child. Think about your relationships with your parents or caregivers. What were they like? Did you feel safe and secure around them? Was your heart met with delight? Were your desires honored with curiosity and healthy discipline? Did they attune to you when you were upset or crying? Did they comfort you and bring you back to a calm or regulated place? Insecure-avoidant attachment defined To ask the question,

A person who experiences trauma has a hard time getting the help needed due to the alteration of their ability to recover from the event. Trauma is not the same for all people, so there is no one way to approach the healing process. Receiving safe healthcare for trauma starts with the ability of the caregiver to understand that trauma can impact a person’s ability to engage in treatment. This is the basis of trauma-informed care. What is trauma-informed

A relationship can be like a grapevine – planted in good soil and with the right mix of what it needs, it can produce an amazing crop. The best relationships leave you feeling deeply satisfied, and there’s nothing quite like them. When two people genuinely love and respect each other, those are the makings of a beautiful relationship. However, just like a grapevine, a relationship can be emaciating and unhealthy in a variety of ways. Codependency is one of

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is a mental health condition that involves repetitive, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) that are relieved by repetitive rituals (compulsions) that appease the discomfort of the behavior. As the symptoms of OCD become more pronounced, the pattern of behavior can become further engrained and feel uncontrollable, causing much distress to the individual, as well as their loved ones who witness the struggle. At the heart of OCD lies deep-seated anxiety, which can be treated with medication and cognitive behavioral

Naughtiness, rebellion, tantrums, and outbursts are all things every parent knows to expect in a child, but these can also be signs of bipolar disorder in children. Although it is quite rare, bipolar disorder can also occur in younger children, causing extreme personality shifts ranging from emotional highs to depressing lows. Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression, more commonly develops in older teenagers and young adults, but it has been known to appear in children as young as

From the earliest hint or news that we are adding to our families, we encounter a range of emotions. Whether we give birth or adopt, the process of preparing for a life and welcoming another family member grips us with joy, anticipation, hope, and uncertainty. We want to give our children the best of everything, and most of all, ourselves. We do all that we can to make their paths look a little different, and in many ways better,

If you are currently sitting at your laptop or reading this on your phone, then you are likely asking yourself the following questions: “What is my attachment style?”, “How does my attachment style show up in the world?”, “What are the different attachment styles?”, or “Why is attachment important?” If that’s you, welcome. In the field of psychology, “” is widely understood as being “the emotional-relational bond created between a parent and child during the first few years of

A back-to-school routine is helpful for all children, especially children with autism or ADHD. A routine will provide stability and peace. Children with autism or ADHD do not like to live a “go with the flow” lifestyle. Clear expectations and consistent routines help them remain calm, particularly when they need to adapt to something new. School brings a lot of routines, but it is also new and ever-changing. Summer break can throw a whole family into a different routine.

Most of the time ADHD is diagnosed in children, but there are instances where ADHD isn’t diagnosed until a person is an adult. As the person ages the symptoms can change and often add stress to daily life. Those diagnosed with ADHD as an adult frequently prefer to use therapy for treatment rather than medication. This treatment plan involves learning how to manage and cope with the symptoms of ADHD. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give

As beautiful as relationships can be, it takes a lot of work to sustain them and make them into spaces that are nurturing and flourishing. Relationships can be difficult, especially when our emotions are involved. Understanding our own emotions and the emotions of others is a valuable life skill and necessary for healthy relationships. At the heart of happy and thriving relationships lies one key attribute: emotional intelligence. But what exactly is emotional intelligence, and how can it make

In every relationship, there comes a time when things go a bit wonky and out of alignment. It doesn’t have to be anyone’s fault. Sometimes, people simply miss each other, whether because someone misspoke, because of fatigue and inattention, or because one or both of you are under stress and a little bit on edge. In those situations, you might be a little inconsiderate or miss cues you’d otherwise pick up on and respond to. A person’s relationship with