Category Self harm

3 Ways the Pandemic and the Transition Back to “Normal” May Affect Your Teen

By Wednesday, May 19, 2021 Anxiety, Counseling, Depression, Family, Family Counseling, Grief, Kids, Parenting, Pastoral Counseling, Self harm, Soul Care, Suffering, Suicide, Teens Permalink

Michelle has been on staff with Heart Song Counseling for over 8 years. Prior to moving to the Tampa Bay area, she served as a counselor for Heart Song in Washington, D.C. She received her B.A. in Speech and Communication Studies at Clemson University and her M. Div in Biblical Counseling from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. In her spare time, she enjoys running, spending long days at the beach and Clemson football. It’s no secret that the pandemic has impacted our teens in a myriad of ways over the last year. Some teens found themselves back in school full throttle, others ...

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Does My Teenager Have An Eating Disorder? Part 2

By Tuesday, July 11, 2017 Addictions, Anorexia, Anxiety, Binge-eating, Bulimia, Control, Counseling, Depression, Eating Disorders, Identity, Idolatry, Kids, Orthorexia nervosa, Parenting, Self harm, Self Image, Teens Permalink

You are reading the second post in a two-part series about teens and eating disorders. In the previous post we looked at the four main types of disorders with accompanying warning signs. In today’s post we will look at the next steps to take in helping your teen if an eating disorder is suspected. Counselor Michelle Horton, continues our examination into this topic.   So what do I do once I’ve identified an eating disorder in my teenager? First things first, get your child to their pediatrician or general practitioner. Your teen’s health could possibly be in serious danger. You will want to ...

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Does My Teenager Have An Eating Disorder?

By Tuesday, June 27, 2017 Addictions, Anorexia, Anxiety, Binge-eating, Bulimia, Control, Depression, Eating Disorders, Orthorexia nervosa, Parenting, Self harm, Self Image, Teens Permalink

Today’s guest post is a two-part series on teens and Eating Disorders written by Michelle Horton, MA. Michelle is a biblical counselor with Heart Song Counseling in Tampa, FL. Michelle counsels on a variety of issues including PTSD, survivors of sexual abuse, eating disorders, addictions and emotional issues. In her spare time she enjoys running, spending long days at the beach and Clemson football. Does my teenager have an eating disorder? Maybe you started asking this question when you noticed your teen’s eating habits changing. Or maybe it was seeing their normally healthy, vibrant body deteriorating. Maybe you heard the sounds of ...

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Ask the Counselor: Should I Try to Forget My Past?

By Tuesday, May 30, 2017 Counseling, Identity, Life in general, Self harm, Self Image, Sex, Soul Care, Teens Permalink

Today's guest post is by Dr. Robert Kellemen, VP of Institutional Development and Chair of Biblical Counseling at Crossroads Bible College in Indianapolis, IN. He is a sought after speaker and teacher and author of several counseling books. This post originally appeared on his RPMMinistries blog.   As a biblical counselor, people often ask me the important question, “Should I try to forget my past?” I first respond with a one-word answer. “No.” Then I respond with a blog-size answer using the words: • Remember • Reflect • Repent/Receive/Renew • Reinterpret • Retell • Resources Remember Even if we wanted to, we couldn’t forget the past. It’s impossible. More importantly, it’s ungodly. Memory ...

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After Abortion Care: Why Churches Need to Care for the Post-Abortive Woman

By Sunday, April 23, 2017 Abortion, Addictions, Anorexia, Anxiety, Baby blues, Christian Women, Control, Counseling, Depression, Eating Disorders, Identity, Kids, Maternal Mental Health, Maternal Soul Care, Mommy Stuff, Perinatal Mood Disorders, Postpartum Anxiety, Postpartum Depression, Postpartum Panic Disorder, Postpartum Support, PTSD, Reproductive Psychiatry, Self harm, Self Image, Sex, Sex Education, Sexuality, Soul Care, Suicide, Teens, Uncategorized, Women Permalink

1 in 4 pregnancies end in an abortion decision, a statistic that is no different whether you look inside or outside the church. Whatever the reason a woman has for having an abortion, the mental, physical, spiritual and emotional strains of the decision can result in repercussions for years to come. Whether it be triggers that remind her of the event or physical and emotional struggles that eventually come to light, the local church can (and should) be a place of safety where women receive grace and loving care to help them work through their struggle. In this fifth and final post ...

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Yes, Christian Women Struggle with Postpartum Disorders Too

By Monday, March 6, 2017 Anxiety, Baby blues, Christian Women, Control, Counseling, Depression, Identity, Kids, Maternal Mental Health, Maternal Soul Care, Mommy Stuff, Parenting, Perinatal Mood Disorders, Postpartum Anxiety, Postpartum Depression, Postpartum Panic Disorder, Postpartum Support, Reproductive Psychiatry, Self harm, Self Image, Soul Care, Suicide, Teens, Women Permalink

You are reading the second post in a series on Maternal Mental Health. Read part 1 here. Why am I feeling so angry? How come everything my husband and children do make me so irritated? It’s not like me to scream at my loved ones. Why am I not totally in love with my new baby? I feel so overwhelmed with taking care of my baby, trying to stay on top of laundry and struggling with insomnia. What’s wrong with me? I feel so alone. What am I supposed to do? A Christian woman shouldn’t have these thoughts, right? Have you ever ...

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The Food and Mood Connection: Insight About Emotional Eating

By Monday, September 19, 2016 Addictions, Counseling, Emotional Eating, Idolatry, Life in general, Mommy Stuff, Self harm, Self Image, Soul Care Permalink
The Food and Mood Connection: Advice About Emotional Eating

Do you ever find yourself automatically drawn to junk foods when you’re in a state of increased stress? Do you joke about “comfort food” in order to justify that second trip through the drive-through when you’re feeling down? Do you eat a pan of brownies when feeling lonely? If you can relate to any of these situations then you, like so many of us, are an “emotional eater.” This may not be new news to you, but facing the reality can still be tough. The good news is that there is always hope for change and beginning the journey of ...

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When Should I See A Counselor?

By Monday, June 6, 2016 Counseling, Self harm, Self Image, Suicide Permalink
When to see a counselor

We all experience different seasons of life. Sometimes we have good stress, sometimes we have bad stress and what can feel like ever-changing circumstances. We experience the joys of graduation and weddings. Perhaps we have the blessing of the birth of our own child or grandchild. There are also times when we may experience hurt that can surprise us with how deeply it cuts: bullies at school or work, spousal abuse or neglect, etc. We’re more than familiar with life’s ups and downs but how do you know when you should see a counselor? Below are some examples of the ...

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