Kate Motaung

Regardless of how much work we have put into dealing with past trauma, there will come a time when we suddenly feel overwhelmed by emotions and memories connected to that experience. Our reaction might have resulted from a physical stimulus, like a song or a smell, or it might have stemmed from an emotional situation, such as being in an argument with a loved one. This is known as a trigger, and almost everyone who has been through trauma

There are many different challenges that a person can take up in life, but one of the most rewarding journeys a person can undertake is to be a parent. Being a single dad has its challenges, but it certainly has its joys, too. When you’re in the thick of it, it can be hard to pause long enough to appreciate what you have, and it can also be easy to get overwhelmed. Taking stock of the challenges and blessings

Mental health has become a term used for many different purposes in our culture. We often hear the term “mental health issues” on the news as the reason behind people committing crimes. Social-emotional learning has become a part of most academic curriculums in the school system and through which students are taught about mental health. Many workplaces now offer paid time off for mental health days. Tune into any radio program or turn on any given podcast and the

Premarital counseling is for every engaged couple. That is a simple, but all-encompassing statement. There are many reasons why couples don’t sign up for premarital counseling. Some couples say that they don’t need counseling because they have been together for years, have lived together, or have already talked about all their issues. However, a therapist who has counseled many engaged and married couples, would tell you from experience that premarital counseling, even for those who have been in a

Just like the terrible twos, most parents dread the time their child becomes a teenager. This fear stems from all we know that teens go through during this time of transition. As a child enters their teen years, they go through many changes, including hormonal changes, as they navigate puberty. These changes are to be expected. However, teens also often experience depression and as parents and guides, we must watch for the signs of depression in young people. Depression

In the Lord of the Rings movies, the actor Bernard Hill delivered one of the more poignant lines in the film. When he was in Glasgow, Scotland, a woman had come up to him, telling him how one of her children had died recently, and then she said to him that parents shouldn’t have to bury their children. Hill, who plays a character named Theoden, was so moved by that conversation that he asked for that line to be

Gaslighting is a form of manipulation that messes with your mind and emotions, making you second guess your reality. It can make you question your memories, beliefs, and even your sanity. A skilled gaslighter has an interesting and sophisticated set of techniques to draw from. The gas lighter might deny facts, even though the victim is confident of the truth. They might twist the truth just enough that it retains its form but also paints themselves in a more

Anxiety affects millions of people each year in the U.S. Learning how to cope with anxiety can spare you from the physical and emotional ailments caused by this mental condition. Don’t suffer alone. Help is available for anxiety and its symptoms that interfere with daily activities. Physical and Mental Ailments Caused by Anxiety Anxiety is part of the natural reaction to stress. When our minds perceive danger, the body releases cortisol and adrenaline into the bloodstream to enable us

Are there some people in your life that you find hard to talk to, for whatever reason? Perhaps it’s because they are far away, and you prefer talking face to face with them than over the phone. Perhaps it’s because you’ve had a fractious relationship with them, or maybe even because you never developed what felt like the right language with which to address them and connect with them. Sometimes, our prayer life can feel like talking with a

Some people are reluctant to journal. It sounds to Pinterest-perfect. Can writing things down change anything? For those who finally do it, they can speak to its help. Believe it or not, keeping a journal, specifically a gratitude journal, can even halt an emotional or mental spiral. It can retrain brain pathways of negative and overwhelming thoughts. In a nutshell, it can bring hope. When you get started, it can seem like the things that come to mind seem

When we make our marital vows and declare that we will forsake all others, we tend to view it as a nod to the threats that infidelity poses. What we assume is that an affair is physical. However, Jesus revealed that what happens in the body first occurs in the mind (Matthew 5:27-28). It's the same with an emotional affair. It may seem intense, but we commit adultery, stepping outside of our marriage, when we share a part of

Relationships of all kinds bring together people who may have various similarities and differences that make their dynamic interesting. These differences may be in temperament, personality, life experiences, culture, or outlook. Unlikely friendships and connections can happen, and it’s such a joy when you find someone that you have a kinship with. Not all kinds of dynamics in relationships are happy ones, though. It could be a romantic relationship, a friendship, a parent-child situation, or a relationship between colleagues.