-
Accentuate the Positive
In the year 1944, during a dark time for families and the country, singer and songwriter Johnny Mercer wrote what would be one of the war’s most iconic songs of hope and inspiration: “Accentuate the Positive, Eliminate the Negative.” Why did this song become such an anthem of encouragement? Because through the power of music, the lyrics reminded the country that vision, hope, and inspiration are achieved by dwelling on those things which are good, excellent and praiseworthy. We can all have seasons in our life, our families, and our relationships that can be an unfamiliar, dark place. During these times, it can be human nature to lean toward negative…
-
What Is Child Therapy and How Does It Work?
By Carolyn Knarr, MSW, LCSW, Director of Children’s Therapeutic Services Our children are a heritage from the Lord (Psalm 127:3). They bring abundant joy, although, raising them is not without its challenges. Parents have a responsibility, not only to meet the physical needs of their children, but to also provide a safe haven that fosters emotional and psychological growth, and achieving that is no simple feat. Sometimes parents reach the point where they literally do not know the best way to help their children. That’s when bringing a trained professional into the picture may prove beneficial. Counseling for children? Yes. People are sometimes surprised at the idea of sending children…
-
The Power of the Cognitive Behavioral Approach to Stereotyping
by Mary Singleton, MEd, PLPC I’m sure I’m not the only one who has been thinking about recent racial conflicts involving police officers and citizens. We have all seen how an event, such as a police officer shooting someone, can inspire dramatically different reactions in people — reactions which often correlate to race and which elicit very different feelings and behaviors as a result of these thoughts. Cultural messages and life experiences contribute greatly to the automatic thoughts an individual has in response to a significant event, and psychological responses are involved, as well. Many people have been conditioned, starting at an early age, to automatically respond to circumstances in…
-
Getting A True Reflection: Challenging Unhealthy Thoughts
Have you ever gone to the carnival and seen a fun-house mirror? Instead of revealing an accurate, true mirror image through the use of a standard mirror, a fun-house mirror bends certain sections just enough to distort the image. Do you remember standing in front of the mirror, perhaps laughing with your friends, moving forward, then back, and enjoying the distortion? That’s because you knew the distortion was not reality. If you thought the distortion WAS reality, it might have produced feelings of fear, anxiety and lack of safety. Perhaps if someone showed you the truth regarding the fun-house mirror, your feelings of fear and anxiety might have subsided, in…
Marriage Family & Individual Counseling | St Louis MO
