Kate Motaung

Social anxiety can make life challenging. Everyday activities become a struggle. You may not be able to shop inside stores anymore, attend social events, or even spend time with friends. Social interactions are no longer straightforward when your heart and mind race and you worry about how to interact with others or what they think about you. Holiday shopping becomes relegated to online only because you no longer want to deal with the anxiety and the panic. The symptoms of

When you experience something that is disappointing, have you struggled with how to handle disappointment? Do you get mad? Do the tears flow? Do you take it out on the people around you? Maybe retreat and isolate yourself? There are plenty of ways to react to disappointment. But you don’t need to stay in that place of reaction. Instead, you can learn how to handle disappointment in ways that are helpful instead of destructive. No one is a stranger

God did not design us to live in isolation without connections to others. That is why it is important to help your child attain secure attachment in their development. Learning how to foster those attachments can create a sense of belonging in your child. It can also help them develop a positive mindset about themselves. One of the most influential attachments children make is those with their parents. Attachment parenting is the term that is commonly used to describe

Our society seems only to accept the “go-go-go” mentality. We rush to make ends meet, to make money, and to stay ahead of the game. But eventually, chronic stress takes a toll and causes physical issues. Mental exhaustion can also result from trying to do too much too fast, taking on more than you can handle. However, there are things you can do to prevent mental exhaustion and allow yourself time to recover. What are the symptoms of mental exhaustion?

Today I want to talk about a topic that is the cornerstone of the Christian faith: forgiveness. In my time as a mental health counselor, I’ve found the topic of forgiveness to often be either misunderstood, undervalued, or flat out triggering in some cases. In this article, I will share what forgiveness is and what it isn’t. I also want to discuss how forgiveness is transformative to our hearts, the wounds we carry, and our relationships. This is a complex

In many of our favorite scenes in blockbuster films and scripts in books, we cheer for the underdog. Wherever we encounter someone who is downtrodden or suffering abandonment, we find ourselves shouting from the sidelines of our seats and sofas, hoping for the win. The Bible outlines the blueprint for the narrative of champions. We rise and fall with each plot twist and page turn. We encounter them in the countless stories that convey hope and inspire resilience in

Do you feel lonely during the holidays? The time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day is often a reflection time, reflecting on memories and recreating traditions. But when you are alone, it can quickly feel like a dark cloud is descending on you. However, there are things you can do to counteract feeling lonely during the holidays and enjoy the Christmas season. Expectations and loneliness. Expectations can be the catalyst of loneliness. For example, when you expect the holidays

Therese and Steven are a young couple that’s been happily married for three and a half years, but the past six months have been quite difficult. Therese’s job has steadily required more from her, especially as her company had to downsize during the pandemic and they aren’t able to hire new people just yet. She’s often home quite late, and leaves early to get her day started. When she’s home, she feels tired and finds it hard to go

Depression comes in many forms. It can be caused by brain circuitry, an imbalance of brain chemicals, trauma, uncontrollable life events, genetics, or family history. What depression feels like is a persistent sadness that envelops you and alters your thoughts and emotions. It leaves you fatigued and often isolated. Depression is diagnosed by professionals using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), 5th Edition from the American Psychiatric Association. A licensed mental health care provider reviews assessments,

Anxiety can feel like a vice, gripping you at the most inconvenient times. One moment, you are fine, and the next, you can barely catch your breath. Anxiety can cause long-term detrimental effects physically, emotionally, and mentally. It can affect your relationships and your work life. Recognizing the signs of anxiety and getting help when needed can make the difference between being stuck in an invisible prison of fear and stepping out into the life God created for you.

The aging process refers to the physiological and mental changes we experience during our lifespan and is an inevitable part of living. It’s a gradual process that begins in early adulthood as cell structures and functions start to decline. Although you can’t stop the aging process from happening, you can make choices that improve your ability to maintain an active life and continue to do the things you enjoy. Common changes that come with the aging process. Vision. As

Some Christians mistakenly believe that to pursue self-improvement is to glorify the self instead of God. However, this is not true, as chasing after Jesus will cause you to adopt His characteristics, becoming more like Him as you seek after Him. The only way to nurture a relationship with Jesus Christ is to draw closer to Him through studying the Bible, praise, worship, and prayer. The benefits of growing closer to Christ take self-improvement to a whole new level.