Kate Motaung

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

Part 4 of a 4-Part Series: Porn and Power The first three parts of this series made some key observations about pornography: Healing requires more than cognitive (changing thoughts) or behavioral (changing lifestyle) approaches, although both are important. A man’s sexuality and shame are deeply rooted in narrative, in long-buried stories of emasculating loss that drive men to seek relief and power in porn’s degrading “pseudo-story.” The pseudo-connection and risk-free predictability of pornography promises to override a man’s fear of

First Article Forgiveness Positive Psychology Series Forgiveness is generally regarded as a virtue, and most people consider it a command. But we rarely consider forgiveness as an act of personal health. In this article, I introduce a new series on forgiveness, and show how science has found forgiveness to be important to our health and well-being. Wounds are Deep Hurts that Need to be Healed The fact is that we do wrong to others. All human beings occasionally –

Trust is a binding force in any intimate relationship and must be present in order for love to occur. Even when someone loves you deeply, they can break your trust and leave you shattered and dismayed. Trust builds slowly, but can be lost in a moment. At some time or another, we all experience some uncertainty about who we should trust, how much to trust, when not to trust, and so on. In fact, every day we make choices

Porn and Power: A Christian Counselor Explains Part 3 of a 4-Part Series  I’ve positioned the solution-oriented parts of this series (Parts 3 and 4) at the end – on purpose. Because waiting, and holding the tension of waiting, is critical to healing soul, body, and brain. Many guys are already prone to a quick “fix-it” persona that conveniently bypasses the need for a deeper, more disciplined attentiveness to their inner life, to the emotional core Self. As men,

Porn and Power: A Christian Counselor Explains Part 2 of a 4-Part Series  The late psychoanalyst and author Erwin Singer observed how “active striving” or searching in life is essential for psychological survival – but the only action that carries with it the risk of significant loss and failure. Man’s undoing is not failure itself, Singer argued. Failure is inevitable and vital to the creative process. Failure spurs growth and discovery. The tragedy, Singer said, is when the threat of

What is Generalized Anxiety Disorder? All of us worry about things like health, money, or family problems. But people with generalized anxiety disorder, or GAD, are extremely worried about these or other things, even when it seems there is no reason to worry. This is a type of worry that disrupts your life most days. Many people with GAD have physical symptoms that can include headaches and being tired all of the time. Anyone can be diagnosed with generalized

Part 1 of a 4-Part Series Men struggling with pornography often arrive for counseling with two basic fears: First, that pornography is threatening to take over their lives, if it hasn’t already. Second, that they are going to be shamed for their character, then instructed simply to read their Bible and pray more. Another simplistic but common treatment approach is to focus on the act itself and corresponding behaviors, thoughts, and feelings. Steps are formulated to identify cognitive-behavioral triggers

Sexual addiction is the inability to stop sexual behavior, even when it damages your life. It involves engaging in excessive sexual fantasies and urges in response to anxiety, depression, or stressful life situations. Sexual addiction is characterized by repetitive but unsuccessful attempts to control or significantly curtail these fantasies, urges, and behaviors. Engaging in sexual behavior without regard for the risk of emotional or physical harm to yourself or others is another hallmark of sexual addiction. This article is