Kate Motaung

Children, at times, may experience depression. However, unlike adults, they likely have not developed the insight to identify when they experience depression-related symptoms, the vocabulary to explain how they are feeling or the insight into how their behavior toward others may impact their relationships. Parents may notice a change in their child’s demeanor, behavior, or ability to tolerate stress. Luckily for children, they may be blessed with resourceful parents that are looking to better understand changes in their child

If you are recently engaged, there is a high chance your head is spinning with excitement at the prospect of marrying the person you love most in the world and premarital counseling may be the farthest thing from your mind. You may be neck-high in bridal magazines, potential venues, guest lists, registries, and honeymoon planning. What an exciting time of life this is for so many soon-to-be brides and grooms. When a person becomes engaged to someone they love,

God has masterfully designed rhythms for all of life. A quick flip through Genesis' initial chapters unearths the flow of rest and activity for life in concert with our Creator. Genesis offers practical insight for synchronizing one's daily pulse with the One who originated the beginning, with the rhythm of His own voice, declaring, "Let there be light!" In Eden, God established rhythms for worship, work, relationship, and rest. Through His example and the picture of Adam and Eve’s

As a counselor, I find one of the most common complaints that people bring to my office that of some form of anxiety. In recent years, the collective anxiety of our culture has dramatically increased. The presence of COVID-19 and political discord along with the accelerant of social media has made it so that our minds rarely have respite from a barrage of information. Rarely helpful, this information overload has caused many to experience anxiety in one form or

If you have a family member who is addicted to alcohol, you are probably dealing with many fears and frustrations every day. Alcohol dependence is a disease that affects not just the addict, but the entire family. Alcohol addiction creates complex problems within the family system. Often family members are too close to the problems to understand what can be done. As family members seek help for themselves, the situation can dramatically improve. Whether the alcoholic chooses to get

"Keeping up with the Joneses" is a phrase most of us have heard and many have attempted, in one form or another. Besting our neighbors or at least trying to keep pace with other people's lifestyles predates social media and reality television. However, as internet outlets abound and technologies advance, an existing human bent toward “othering,” preoccupying ourselves with others, is ever noticeable. On one hand, we view others through a skewed lens: to blame, to idolize, to envy,

Mental health drives our experiences, choices, and daily lives. In turn, these things interact with and affect our mental health. This cyclical interrelationship helps humans to survive and thrive; however, too often it can cause humans to lose control. Mental health, according to Dr. Tim Sharp, is: “a state of psychological wellbeing; an absence of or minimal levels of distress, and the presence of positive emotions like happiness and satisfaction with life.” Therefore, your mental health plays an important

Talking about depression among people of faith can seem like a risky venture. After all, if I believe in God, the maker of heaven and earth, surely depression shouldn’t be an issue? Unfortunately, many people labor under the false idea that because you know God and follow Jesus through the power of the Spirit, illness, and struggle are no longer part of your existence, and to go through those things means you have weak faith. This is far from

Although it might sound cheesy at first, the perfect quotes on personal growth can motivate you, boost your self-esteem, and inspire you to overcome challenges and accomplish your goals. Here’s a curated list of quotes ranging from Paul in the Bible to successful businessmen and businesswomen through history. Personal Growth Quotes from the Bible Let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give

Our bodies are fearfully and wonderfully made, and with that comes complexity in how they interact with the world around us. The things that we consume by ingesting them into either our bodies or minds, leave their mark upon us. That makes it especially important for us to understand what we are putting into our bodies, how it affects us, and the various ways we can overcome any negative side effects of what we consume. One possible consequence of

We have all encountered stress that could potentially be the “straw that broke the camel's back.” Stress itself doesn’t have to be negative. Raising a family or beginning a new job can be positive, yet it can be stressful. Our stress response is the key to whether the stressor will make us feel ill or ignite us. Modern stress research confirms what the word of God told us long ago, a merry heart makes for good medicine, and anxiety

We all need a friend or two. Having great friends makes life richer and more interesting. Being social creatures, our affinity for relationships makes all the sense in the world. Having a good friend is something that you should hold on to because genuinely good friends are a precious and rare commodity, no matter what social media might try to tell us. While having great friends in your life blesses you, being a great friend for others blesses them.