Perspectives
SCG Staff Articles
Warm Holiday Greetings
From all of us at Sanctuary Counseling Group, we wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a New Year filled with hope and possibility.
It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year… Or is It?
If we are honest with ourselves, we’ve all experienced this “and moment” at one time or another during the holiday season. We often encounter unexpected curveballs and overwhelming realities that leave us questioning if this is truly the most wonderful time of the year.
So, for those who are unsure about, or maybe even dreading the holiday season… here are three coping strategies to help you prepare mentally for the holidays….
ADHD and the Modern School System
ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, is a condition many have heard of, but few truly understand. Even those diagnosed sometimes struggle to fully grasp how far such a condition changes everyday functioning. Now, despite the word Disorder, ADHD only describes a deviation from the norm rather than a profound dysfunction. At least in most cases.
Navigating Pregnancy and Infant Loss: Finding Empowerment, Community, and Hope
October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, a time dedicated to honoring the experiences of parents who have endured the heartbreak of losing a child. This loss can feel isolating and overwhelming, but it’s important to remember that you are not alone in your grief. As devastating as this experience is, there are paths toward healing that can bring empowerment, community, and hope.
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Here at Sanctuary we welcome the opportunity to come alongside those facing the challenges of health concerns including cancer, its treatment and survival, as well as caregivers of patients and those who grieve the loss of loved ones
ADHD Awareness Month
ADHD can significantly impact daily functioning, relationships, and academic performance. It is important to recognize that ADHD is not simply a childhood disorder; many individuals carry these symptoms into adulthood and face challenges in maintaining focus, organizing tasks, managing time, and regulating emotions.
Autism and Sensory Overload, A Silent Struggle
The 5 human senses of smell, taste, touch, sight, and hearing are essential to our understanding of the world around us. That day at the grocery store reminded me of how powerful these senses can be. Now I am not particularly sensitive to smells, however many individuals on the autistic spectrum are. An inconvenient experience like mine could have been a deeply troubling one for someone with scent sensitivity.
Intentional Crash
We have all had that feeling….when the day is over and we get home, cook dinner, eat, sit down, and then it begins the mindless scroll on social media or quick fix repetitive tapping game. As a culture, we are all experiencing burnout and the allure of doom scrolling. I often have clients talk to me about wanting to change this behavior but feeling stuck in not knowing what to do or where even this feeling to disconnect comes from.
Who Am I & What Do I Do With That?
Identity is a complex and multifaceted concept that shapes who we are and how we navigate the world. It's not just about knowing ourselves on a surface level, but understanding the deeper layers that make us unique individuals. Our identity is influenced by various factors, including our sexuality, culture, age, and geographical location. Each of these elements plays a crucial role in shaping our experiences, perspectives, and ultimately, our sense of self.
Breathing Triangle
We live in a time that can feel very uncertain and anxiety-provoking. Anxiety is not always a bad thing; in fact, anxiety can help keep us safe, encourage us to problem-solve, and motivate us to complete difficult tasks. However, anxiety also has the ability to trap our thoughts in rumination of the past or worry about the future, and in doing so, robs us of our present. When I was a child, my grandmother used to say “worry is like a rocking chair; it gives you something to do, but doesn’t get you anywhere.”
On a Tough Day, the Sound of Silence Can be Deafening…
You know how this goes. Sometimes we raise our voice when we least wish to. Perhaps when we experience one too many frustrating events in our day, one more than we can fit in our "silencer" part. As a result, we give a rage-filled yell or a harsh glance. Even when the volume of our voice is loud, we may still be silencing the wants, needs, hurts and fears beneath our anger. Anger at times is a protector of vulnerable unexpressed needs and fears.
Prayer From the Diagnostic Donut Hole
If ever I am overwhelmed by fear, anxiety, panic, be my xanax, not that I would be sedated or sleepwalk through life, but that I would awaken to the distinction between true threats and irrational fears and find the courage to have a seat at the table You have prepared for me in the presence of my enemies.
Say Goodbye To Resentment And The Selfishness Silencing Critic
Over time, silence can become the first response to any potential conflict. At the same time, resentment may build up when needs don't appear to be understood. Learning to use boundaries when others are disrespectful or angry during conflict can become a key to preventing resentment. It also can help you to take steps toward living in greater freedom from The Selfishness Silencing Critic.
Women’s Mental & Emotional Health
In celebration of Women's History Month, it is crucial to highlight the importance of women's mental health and the significant role it plays. Being a woman with good mental health is not only a personal triumph but also contributes to a broader narrative of empowerment and resilience.
It’s As Easy As 5,4,3,2,1
While resting on a bench with my wife in the middle of a silent meadow in the mountains of North Carolina, I noticed a loud buzzing sound. Being the curious individual I am, I was determined to find out exactly where this noise was coming from. Looking around, I noticed a bumblebee flying 10 yards away, and I was struck by just how loud the noise of that one bumblebee was when all the other noises were stripped away. I was able to track the bee with just my ears while following its buzz as it moved from leaf to leaf.
Spending Time Alone and with Others
Time alone for reflection, meditation, thinking, or sitting silently is very useful to our well-being. But isolation for long periods of time can be both painful and harmful. That is a present concern that doctors and counselors are now discovering in their patients. Many Americans are part of the current epidemic of isolation; painful aloneness leading to loneliness.
Love Connection
It turns out that subtly telling one another “hey, pay attention to me!” is one of the most common things we do in relationships with one another as humans…and…how we handle that moment can have profound effects on the health and future of our relationships and marriages.
If you want to know one simple, concrete thing you can do to improve your relationship with your partner TODAY - read this post.
Linked to Everything
Elementally, physically, psychologically and spiritually we are very much like the rest of the world. We even share large segments of DNA patterns with animals. We cannot exist without bacteria. Viruses help to control killer bacteria. All this renders those “us vs. them” arguments meaningless. It’s all US! God has linked us to everything and everyone, even to Godself.
Blessed are we who have ears to hear and eyes to see.
How Are the Children
Recently I met with some parents and grandparents of school age children to talk about some of their concerns. We began by naming many of the stressors families are dealing with now. We listed finances, safety (school, home and online) social climate, health, parent separation/divorce, death of close family member gun violence, major illness, parent's incarceration, socialization skills of children, loneliness, body image and social media, changing family size/family growth, intergenerational divides, world perspective, moral/spiritual values being handed down or not, technology, grandparents raising grandchildren, childcare, death by suicide. This list could go on and on. Today’s children and youth are encountering unprecedented challenges/stressors
I’m Not Your Black Superwoman
For most of my life, I always strived to be the quote-on-quote “Strong Black Woman”.
A woman who exudes strength.
A woman who is fierce and protective of her own.
A woman who takes care of everyone and everything without remorse,
A Black Superwoman.