Category: Uncategorized
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A Poem of Hope
Hope has been a bit elusive lately. Wars rage, and there are constant conflicts and crises on the news. I do not want to be negative, but maybe more often than we are willing to admit, life throws us pain, discouragement, and despair. It can be overwhelming. I have a book of poetry by the…
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Being Grounded
You probably have some awareness of the psychological concept of being grounded. This idea has developed from therapeutic work with people who have sought healing from various traumas. Trauma in our lives can create lifelong struggles in responding to stressors and feeling triggered as a result of those stressors. The triggers are not necessarily traumatizing.…
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Nova the #TherapyCat
February 2025 Edition Nova, the #TherapyCat, is back with new insights and observations about humans, mental health, and relationships from her unique perspective as a cat. Lots has happened since our October 2024 edition. Most importantly, we had the holidays, and Nova’s experiences through the Christmas season and the beginning of the New Year have…
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Admire Your Partner’s Goodness
Validating the image-bearing qualities of your life partner with your words fills them with life. Dr. Mark DeYoung The Challenge A significant concept in the Gottman Sound Relationship model for marriage includes sharing fondness and admiration with your spouse. A flame of appreciation needs to burn within the marriage. A marriage faces trouble when the…
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Nova the #TherapyCat October 2024 Edition
I love the name my human parents gave me – “Nova”. It is an astronomical word, describing the sudden brightening of a star. It is an explosion of light. I hope I can bring you a little “light” in these blogs. And as Nova the #TherapyCat, I am glad to get to share with you…
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Present and Here
Two small but powerful words – Part 2 Last month’s blog, Present and Hear, was Part 1 of this two-part series. We specifically explored the word “present.” Being present was defined as a “continual openness to connecting.” It is an attitude of the heart that takes risks to preserve connection in the relationship. “You don’t…
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Present and Here
Two small but powerful words – Part 1 I am often asked what sets my book, Revolutionary Marriage, apart from other books on marriage. I did want to write a book that offered a fresh view of Christian marriage. Though I introduce many unique ideas in the book, I want to focus on two ideas…
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Humility Goes a Long Way in Marriage
What makes you valuable? I often say in therapy that we all have a unique set of skills, talents, and abilities. When we share an intimate life with our marriage partner, we get the unique vantage point and blessing to see and experience all those skills, talents, and abilities. Yet, for all we bring to…
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It’s Time to End Male Spiritual Leadership
I stopped attending Christian men’s conferences over ten years ago. The increasing hype, dopamine rush energy, and teaching left me feeling empty. Unfortunately, things have not improved (Read about a recent debacle at a Missouri men’s event here). During events like this, men frequently hear messages about being male spiritual leaders in their homes. My…
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30 Day Gratitude Journal
Gratitude is an essential ingredient for personal mental health and relational stability. This month, Dr. DeYoung wants to offer you a 30-day prompt for gratitude in your marriage. Each prompt is meant to generate a thought or feeling of gratitude. Don’t be too alarmed by the word “Journal” because the writing expectations are minimal. Each…