Articles about Pain
Daring to Laugh: When Celebration and Sadness Join Hands
Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT
Pain and joy often occur together in life. Learn how God's faithfulness, sovereignty, and hope can be found in the midst of brokenness, failure, or other difficult circumstances.
Easter Clothes: Throwing Off Cloaks of Unforgiveness
Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT
Forgiveness brings emotional and spiritual healing. Using Biblical references to Palm Sunday and Easter, and a story from Corrie Ten Boom, this article shows how the old "clothes" or habits around unforgiveness hamper our freedom and joy.
Children of Divorce: Between Two Worlds
Lynda Savage, M.S., LMFT, LPC
Children walk through the high pain and intense feelings around divorce but they do not have the same ability to recover from the process of their parents' divorce. Research shows that parents seem to take about three years to recover from divorce. This is not true for children. The effects of divorce on children lasts for decades.
Life Transitions
Suzan Myhre, M.S.S.W., LICSW, LPC
This article explores the task adolescents and their families face when leaving home. It describes the delicate balance between support and autonomy parents must give their emerging adult.
Family and Self Care After Divorce
Lynda Savage, M.S., LMFT, LPC
A look at the effects of divorce on adults and children and how to cope. This includes five very straightforward supportive directions for the adult raising kids after the divorce.
Things To Remember When Grieving
Compiled by Brenda Spina, M.S., LMFT, LPC
Following guidelines originally written in "How To Grieve" by KAIROS, these steps help the grief stricken person what to remember. Each of these ten statements move the grieving individual towards the strength of God and moving forward into the future with renewed focus.
Understanding Grief When A Child Dies
Compiled by Brenda Spina, M.S., LMFT, LPC
Reprinted in part from "Compassionate Friends", Copyright 1980, the death of a child has unique stresses that impact the remaining family members. Guilt, grief, depression, and strained relationships are not unusual. This handout is especially helpful for parents who have had to say good-bye to a child prematurely.
When A Father Dies - Preparing For The Holidays
Brenda Spina, M.S., LMFT, LPC
The death of a family member creates a kind of stress that one does not understand until they experience the loss themselves. Add the holidays to this and the multiple levels of grief increase. There are a few basic truths that become real in the face of such a loss around the holidays. This article, written to encourage as well as remind us of these truths, utilizes the author's own personal experience to bring the reality of what it means to celebrate living in the face of grief.
Entitlement, Money and Families
Suzan Myhre, M.S.S.W., LICSW, LPC
This article describes what entitlement means and how families send messages to their children about money and entitlement.
To Rescue or Not, That is the Question
Suzan Myhre, M.S.S.W., LICSW, LPC
This article explores ways in which parents rescue their adolescent children and ways to weigh the decision whether to act on their behalf.
Suicide Prevention: Making the Connection
Christine Vander Wielen, M.S.W., LCSW
Suicide is a very complex subject and is usually not about death at all but rather about wanting to stop the pain. The vast majority of the time, those who are thinking about suicide do give verbal and/ or behavioral warning signs particularly in the last week before the attempt. By knowing the warning signs, loved ones can intervene and provide support. This article lists many verbal and behavioral warning signs of suicide and provides questions to ask if you suspect a loved one may be suicidal.
Women, Grief, and Jesus
Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT
Women experiencing grief and loss can also know deep comfort, individual attention, and a life-giving future through the Lord Jesus Christ. Christ’s loving attention to a mother who lost her only son from the gospel of Luke, is explored in this article.
