• 10 tips for navigating the holidays with an eating disorder

    Holidays with an Eating Disorder

    The holiday season is here! Almost all holiday parties and gatherings revolve around food and drink. Although this can be fun for many, it can be frightening for those with disordered eating. Creating a sense of safety around food and meal planning is essential experiencing a joyful season with family and friends. Evidence-based research has shown that if you are someone who struggles with an eating disorder, it is beneficial to navigate the holidays with the help of your treatment team. A treatment team for an eating disorder patient would include a dietitian, a therapist, and a physician. Your dietitian can cater your meal plan specifically for the holidays. Your…

  • medication and sexual health

    Navigating Sexual Hurdles: Medication and Sexual Health

    We have discussed, in previous posts, the benefit of visiting with a sex therapist. Sex therapy is a specialized form of therapy that addresses sexual concerns, functioning, relationship, and expression in men and women. A certified sex therapist has had considerable training in the physiological process of human sexuality, as well as, extensive training in psychotropic medications and their effect on sexual functioning. As a rule, we work collaboratively with other health care providers, such as dieticians, pelvic pain specialists, and physicians, enabling us to provide a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to sexual, emotional, and spiritual healing. Part of taking a holistic approach to sexual health, is understanding the relationship between…

  • holiday mommy stress and anxiety

    Mommy Holiday Stress

    Kathy, I feel guilty and confused. We have always alternated holidays, but it’s getting to the point that I’m starting to dread the packing of the presents, side dishes, and the kids’ toys and diapers.  I hate the mall. Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to start our own family traditions, but I just know my mother-in-law would be furious to not have Christmas at her house. We have school programs, church events, and Secret Santa at work. My husband and I try very hard to teach our kids the true meaning of Christmas. It’s important for me to have the house look nice because I want the…

  • Rene Parker LPC Agape Counseling St Louis

    Rene’ Parker, MA, LPC

    Independent Contractor Rene’ Parker earned her Master’s Degree in Counseling at Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, MO. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Missouri. She is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors. Her primary mode of psychotherapy is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). She works primarily with individuals and couples and facilitates group counseling. The group counseling has included topics such as depression, boundaries, and women’s issues. She counsels extensively with clients who experience: severe depression anxiety codependency issues sexual, physical and/or emotional abuse sexual addictions grief single parenting women’s issues stress anger management Rene sees clients at the following locations: our main location,…