Kate Motaung

Endings and Leavings | Part 2 of a 8-part series on the deeper Self that awakens in laboring through grief, living through loss, and embracing endings as the seedbed of new beginnings. “The past is never dead. It’s not even past.”  (William Faulkner) Perhaps the most confusing part of “endings” is how they can leave us feeling both stuck and uprooted – often at the same time. It is the earthquake-like nature of many endings, which are often complicated

Part 1 of a 8-part series on the deeper Self that awakens in laboring through grief, living through loss, and embracing endings as the seedbed of new beginnings. The following articles will be published at a later date. Part 2:  Unresolved Grief, Liminal Loss and Memory: Relocating the Past Instead of Re-living It Part 3: Coping With Grief and ‘Coming Home’: Bearing Loss, Beautifying Scars Part 4: How We Sabotage the Grief Process: the Call to Grieve, Celebrate and

In my previous article, I discussed the importance of the thoughts we tell ourselves. Often the “truths” that we repeat to ourselves are not true at all, yet they can have a profound impact on our lives. In this context, Dr. Daniel Amen coined the term ANTs – Automatic Negative Thoughts. In this article, I outline his list of nine ANTs that we may sometimes struggle with thinking. ANT #1: All or Nothing Thinking This is thinking in which

When I was younger, I lived in snow country. It snowed in the winter and we drove on snowy roads until it melted in April and May. As a teen, my father took me to an empty parking lot covered in snow and taught me how to handle the car, first by instructing me and then letting me test it out. To this day, if I drive in winter conditions, I rehearse several truths about driving: Turn into the

The Effects of Chronically Ill Children on Marriage, Part 3 The effects of a chronically ill child on marital satisfaction have been studied by a number of researchers, with some studies indicating overwhelmingly negative reactions. In my previous articles, I have discussed some of the ways in which couples, together with their families, are coping with the stress, role assignments, perception, and depression related to the care of an ill child. Unresolved, untreated, or unrecognized marital problems and/or depression

The Effects of Chronically Ill Children on Marriage, Part 2 A number of studies have investigated the effects of a chronically ill child on marital satisfaction, with some indicating overwhelmingly negative reactions. In my previous article, I discussed some of the ways in which couples, together with their families, can cope with the stress, role assignments, perceptions, and depression related to the care of an ill child. In this article, I continue the discussion by looking at how caring

Part 1 in a 3-Part Series Chronically Ill Children and Marriage A number of studies have investigated the effects of a chronically ill child on marital satisfaction, with some indicating overwhelmingly negative reactions. In this article, I address some ways in which couples, together with their families, can cope with the stress, role assignments, perceptions, and depression related to the care of an ill child. The Exposure of Underlying Marital Problems Unresolved, untreated, or unrecognized marital problems and/or depression

How we view ourselves can have an important influence on our well-being. Research studies into low self-esteem (LSE) and high self-esteem (HSE) have been conducted in order to investigate how people with low and high self-esteem respond and what impact this has on their lives. In this article, I discuss some of the conclusions that are drawn by these studies. Emotional Responses in Individuals with Low Self-Esteem Some individuals with LSE have been shown to experience aggression and hostility

Counseling can take many different forms, and it can have many different goals and outcomes. There are a variety of modes and theories of counseling and therapy today. With all of these different styles and opinions, it can be hard to decide whether counseling is right for you, much less which type of counseling you should pursue. Christian counseling is about more than just health – it is about being able to worship God more authentically as you step

Part 2 in the Common Symptoms of Panic Disorder Series In my previous article, I discussed panic attacks and Panic Disorder. I spoke about what Panic Disorder is and outlined how it can be treated, using both medication and cognitive behavior therapy. In this article, I continue to discuss the treatment of Panic Disorder, outlining some therapy options. The Immediate Treatment Objective The objective in treatment is to obtain at least a 12-month period free of symptoms, before tapering

Part 1 of a 2-Part Series Panic disorder (PD) is an anxiety disorder that affects an estimated two to three million people in the U.S. This article explores the physical symptoms associated with PD, some of the neurological research that has provided us with insight into the causes of PD, and various treatment options for sufferers. Although agoraphobia and depression may and often do accompany PD, they are not discussed here. What is a Panic Attack? Panic disorder is characterized by what

Do find yourself making lots of sacrifices for your partner's happiness, but not getting much in return? If this kind of one-sided pattern sounds like yours, you don't have to feel trapped. There are lots of ways to change a codependent relationship and get your life back on an even keel. What is a Codependent Relationship? The first step in getting things back on track is to understand what a codependent relationship is. Experts describe it as a pattern