RELATIONSHIP COUNSELING & CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE COUNSELING
WHAT IS SELF ESTEEM?
Self-esteem is YOUR appraisal of your own worth. High self-esteem means that you have a good opinion of yourself, and low self-esteem means you have a bad opinion of yourself.
Low self-esteem results from a poor self-image. Your self-image is based on how you see yourself. Low self-esteem feeds your negative thinking and makes you believe negative comments that others have said about you. This can cause you to lose confidence.
High self-esteem is just the opposite. If you have a high level of self-esteem you will be confident, happy, highly motivated, and have the right attitude to succeed.
Self-esteem is very important and is a cornerstone of a positive attitude towards living. It affects how you think, act, and how you relate to other people. With high self-esteem, you have the potential to be successful. With low self-esteem, you are likely to give up easily rather than face the challenges. It affects your happiness and well-being.
WHAT IS CONFLICT RESOLUTION?
Conflict is a natural, vital part of life. Although it may sound negative, it is not necessarily a bad thing. As long as it is resolved effectively, it can lead to personal and professional growth.
In many cases, effective conflict resolution skills can make the difference between positive and negative outcomes. When conflict is understood, it can become an opportunity to learn and create. When conflict is not handled effectively, the results can be damaging.
Conflict resolution teaches better, more helpful and healthy ways to deal with conflict or disagreement. The tools for healthy conflict resolution can be learned and practiced. Listening and hearing what another person has to say is the beginning of the process. There are processes the conflicted may go through that will resolve a conflict yet keep a relationship intact.
WHAT IS EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION?
Effective communication is the basis for any relationship including marriage or partnership, parent and child, co-workers, and friends. Communication is the way we give and get information. It is the way that we relate to each other our feelings, our thoughts, our ideas, our desires, our pleasures, and our displeasure.
Effective communication allows us to share these personal feelings with another in appropriate ways. Effective communication begins with active listening. In order to improve communication in relationships, both parties involved need to be open and honest about how they feel, and about their expectations. Conflict is unavoidable in relationship. However, good communication can help build a stronger relationship and an enjoyable life.
WHAT IS ANGER MANAGEMENT?
Anger comes when you feel the need to clearly communicate that your personal boundaries have been violated. Anger is a normal human emotion and it can be felt even when others don't see it. Anger is defined as intent to preserve personal self-worth, needs, and convictions.
Is anger good or bad? Balance is found when anger is linked to a reasonable issue and is communicated in a proper manner. This requires delicate sifting through the options of anger management. When anger reaches unhealthy proportions, has no outlet, or is repressed, it can quickly become aggressive and dangerous behavior. Anger Management Counseling teaches the tools to feel anger and deal with it appropriately.
WHAT IS A"SHOPAHOLIC" OR COMPULSIVE SPENDER?
Compulsive spending is simply a different acting out behavior. It is not only for the female gender. A compulsive shopper will spend money they don't have on things that they don't need in an effort to feel better about themselves. Shopping can be an addiction like drinking, gambling, sex, or any other unhealthy, need-based activity. A compulsive shopper can rationalize any purchase and often spend themselves into high debt. They shop as a result of being angry, or scared, or disappointed.
WHAT IS DEPRESSION AND HOW DO I KNOW IF I'M DEPRESSED?
Depression is not just a temporary mood, and it is not a sign of personal weakness. Depression is a medical condition with a variety of symptoms. People who are depressed cannot "snap out of it", and get better. Without treatment, symptoms affect your daily life and can last for months or years. Everyone may feel sad occasionally, but the sadness that is depression affects your interest in your life, or family, or activities in your life.
You may not be able to sleep, or you may sleep all of the time. You may feel restless or have unexplained anxiety. You may even feel suicidal. There are many ways with which to treat depression and there are many levels of depression. If you are feeling hopeless, feeling unworthy, or having problems concentrating or making decisions, it would be wise to seek a professionals help in this ever increasing disorder.
Some symptoms of feeling depressed are:
- Persistent sad, anxious, or empty mood
- Feelings of hopelessness, guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
- Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed, including sex
- Constant fatigue or loss of energy
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
- Inability to sleep or sleeping too much
- Appetite increase and weight gain or loss of appetite and weight loss
- Thoughts of death or suicide (or a suicide attempt or plan)
- Restlessness, irritability