Shane Patrick

OCD is often used as an adjective to describe someone who is excessively neat or particular about the cleanliness of their home. However, the truth is that the things that people refer to when they describe someone as OCD are just the tip of the iceberg. Coping with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is far more complex than many realize. Not many people know that there are six types of OCD, each with its unique behaviors and beliefs. It’s important to clear

At 2 AM, you notice a notification lighting up the phone screen. The responses are social media likes, comments, and messages that have become a recurring pattern in late-night conversations and carefully crafted responses. But something shifts, and what begins as an innocent online interaction becomes a distance that was not there before. Infidelity in marriage no longer requires a physical meeting or secret rendezvous. Through screens, keyboards, and digital distance, infidelity creeps into a seemingly wonderful marriage. This

There’s a lot of advice out there. If you’re dealing with a trauma in your life or living painfully in the aftermath, you have probably tried to find relief through self-help books or random internet pages. These often promise relief if you just do one thing or give their idea a try. While this article won’t promise a miracle or instant fix, it does offer practical ways to help you overcome trauma in your life. Identifying Trauma Unfortunately, we

Rejection hurts. It makes you question your worth. Consider how this is true in the case of an infant whose attempts to bond with his or her mother are ignored. God created us with a deep need to form meaningful relationships. Infants are biologically wired to turn to and bond with their mothers for survival. The security or lack of security in this first attachment becomes a blueprint of how relationships work. This is carried into adulthood, affecting how you

Whether you are starting a new relationship with someone who was betrayed by their previous partner, or whether you are trying to rebuild a relationship after infidelity, there are certain things every betrayed person needs to heal. Recovering from infidelity is a long and complicated process where some days your partner will feel better, and other days they won’t be able to see a way past their pain. All in all, it can take between three and five years for

Many couples do not realize the struggle of marriage in the beginning. They are so consumed with the “emotions and feelings” of love that they forget that it takes intentional focus and effort. Thus begins the tension between the idea of marriage and the reality of marriage. Many believers find themselves caught in this difficult space. Psychologist Dr. John Gottman researched thousands of couples to understand what makes marriage succeed or fail. His findings aligned remarkably with biblical principles

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and the psychodynamic approach both have as their goal to relieve psychological distress and improve mental well-being. However, they use significantly different methods to do so. If you are wondering which one would be better suited for your unique needs, read on. Hopefully, this article will give you a good understanding of the key differences between them so you can make an informed choice. Focus And Core Beliefs Psychodynamic approach Psychodynamic therapy is an insight-oriented

When a couple gets married, the hope is to stay together until they are separated by death. The unfortunate reality, though, is that more than 50% of those who get married end up divorcing. Going through the process of separation and ultimately divorce can be an extremely difficult process for any couple. If the couple has children, that can add to the complications and hardships. Coping with divorce while at the same trying to raise children who will be

Ever find yourself locking the door, walking away, then suddenly wondering if you had actually locked it? So, you go back, jiggle the handle, and maybe even check again just to be sure. Then suddenly, as you’re finally about to leave, that sneaky little thought creeps in again: What if it wasn’t locked properly? Welcome to the world of repeated checking OCD, where locking your front door can become a part time job! Why do we keep checking? If

Are you making plans to get married and wondering whether premarital counseling is something you should include in your plans? Do you question in what way it can benefit your relationship, or whether or not it’s worth the cost and effort? If so, read on. Hopefully, this article will provide the answers you are looking for. What exactly is premarital counseling? Premarital counseling is more than just a pre-wedding formality. It is a unique program designed to prepare you

Empathy, the ability to understand and share another person’s feelings, is often described as “walking a mile in someone else’s shoes.” While this saying may be used lightly in conversation or as a teaching tool, truly embodying empathy can profoundly impact our lives and relationships. Like any muscle, empathy requires regular exercise and strengthening. By actively engaging in practices that foster understanding and connection, you can develop your empathetic capacity and reap its numerous benefits. Understanding Empathy Empathy goes

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