This episode features Darby Strickland, author of Something Scary Happened. Darby is a counselor who works with families who have experienced trauma, and her new book is designed for children ages four to seven. Darby shares with us some of the ways in which adults can come alongside children who are experiencing fear, and she gives us encouragement for how to seek additional help when needed.Also shared in this episode is Darby's minibook for helpers and parents called When Children Experience Trauma: Help for Parents and Caregivers. Become a friend of the podcast by subscribing! Our subscribers are invited to quarterly zoom calls with the hosts, and they have exclusive access through Patreon messages which allows them to ask questions and make suggestions for episodes. Subscribers are also automatically entered into drawings for free books and resources given away by our sponsors. But most importantly, for just $3 a month you become part of the family of friends that keep the Counsel for Life podcast going! Your small membership fee helps to cover the production costs encountered by hosting a free podcast. Thank you for choosing to become a friend of the podcast we are glad you are here and are grateful for you! (Memberships automatically renew each month and can be cancelled at any time.)To learn more, visit our website: www.counselforlifepodcast.com

In this episode, we talk with Heather Bjur, a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. Heather spends much of her time as a counselor working with people who struggle with codependency, and she shares with us some of the markers of codependency. She describes some of the interventions she uses to help people grow in understanding their identity, and she gives us some biblical principles to help us think well about this type of struggle. You can learn more about Heather's ministry at www.heatherbjur.com.Become a friend of the podcast by subscribing! Our subscribers are invited to quarterly zoom calls with the hosts, and they have exclusive access through Patreon messages which allows them to ask questions and make suggestions for episodes. Subscribers are also automatically entered into drawings for free books and resources given away by our sponsors. But most importantly, for just $3 a month you become part of the family of friends that keep the Counsel for Life podcast going! Your small membership fee helps to cover the production costs encountered by hosting a free podcast. Thank you for choosing to become a friend of the podcast we are glad you are here and are grateful for you! (Memberships automatically renew each month and can be cancelled at any time.)To learn more, visit our website: www.counselforlifepodcast.com

This episode includes our recommendations for some books that are currently encouraging us. Click the book titles below to learn more about them:A Theology of the Ordinary, by Julie CanlisEmbodied Hope: A Theological Meditation on Pain and Suffering, by Kelly KapicDawn of Sunday: The Trinity and Trauma-Safe Churches, by Preston Hill, Joshua Cockayne, and Scott HarrowerSuffering Wisely and Well: The Grief of Job and the Grace of God, by Eric OrtlundWe also share that we will both teach at the Association of Biblical Counselors Conference in April 2024. Click HERE to learn more about that conference.Finally, Beth shared about a webinar offered through Christian Trauma Healing Network called "Healthy and Unhealthy Attachment in Relationships." This is a free webinar that you can access by clicking HERE.Become a friend of the podcast by subscribing! Our subscribers are invited to quarterly zoom calls with the hosts, and they have exclusive access through Patreon messages which allows them to ask questions and make suggestions for episodes. Subscribers are also automatically entered into drawings for free books and resources given away by our sponsors. But most importantly, for just $3 a month you become part of the family of friends that keep the Counsel for Life podcast going! Your small membership fee helps to cover the production costs encountered by hosting a free podcast. Thank you for choosing to become a friend of the podcast we are glad you are here and are grateful for you! (Memberships automatically renew each month and can be cancelled at any time.)To learn more, visit our website: www.counselforlifepodcast.com

Our guest in this episode is Dr. Jim Wilder, neurotheologian, counselor, and developer of the LIFE Model. His book, Living from the Heart Jesus Gave You, has sold over 100,000 copies. Jim shares his research and clinical work in the intermingling of spiritual formation and therapeutic help. He gives us a model for what causes Christians to thrive and live joyful lives. To learn more about Dr. Wilder's work, click HERE. Become a friend of the podcast by subscribing! Our subscribers are invited to quarterly zoom calls with the hosts, and they have exclusive access through Patreon messages which allows them to ask questions and make suggestions for episodes. Subscribers are also automatically entered into drawings for free books and resources given away by our sponsors. But most importantly, for just $3 a month you become part of the family of friends that keep the Counsel for Life podcast going! Your small membership fee helps to cover the production costs encountered by hosting a free podcast. Thank you for choosing to become a friend of the podcast we are glad you are here and are grateful for you! (Memberships automatically renew each month and can be cancelled at any time.)To learn more, visit our website: www.counselforlifepodcast.com

In this episode we discuss some of the differences between anxiety and a specific form of anxiety, Social Anxiety. We talk about the symptoms of this struggle and ways we can come alongside someone who is suffering in this way. Today’s episode is sponsored by P&R Publishing, whose mission is to serve Christ and his church by producing clear, engaging, fresh, and insightful applications of Reformed theology to life. For more information on P&R’s many resources for Christian living, ministry, family and counseling, visit prpbooks.com.Become a friend of the podcast by subscribing! Our subscribers are invited to quarterly zoom calls with the hosts, and they have exclusive access through Patreon messages which allows them to ask questions and make suggestions for episodes. Subscribers are also automatically entered into drawings for free books and resources given away by our sponsors. But most importantly, for just $3 a month you become part of the family of friends that keep the Counsel for Life podcast going! Your small membership fee helps to cover the production costs encountered by hosting a free podcast. Thank you for choosing to become a friend of the podcast we are glad you are here and are grateful for you! (Memberships automatically renew each month and can be cancelled at any time.)To learn more, visit our website: www.counselforlifepodcast.com

This episode features Eric Johnson, professor of Christian Psychology at Houston Baptist University. Dr. Johnson shares with us from his book, God and Soul Care: The Therapeutic Resources of the Christian Faith, a theological framework for Christian counseling. He gives us some insights into the importance of developing a deep theology so that our counseling is rooted in biblical truth. You can learn more about Dr. Johnson and his work at www.christianpsychinstitute.org. Become a friend of the podcast by subscribing! Our subscribers are invited to quarterly zoom calls with the hosts, and they have exclusive access through Patreon messages which allows them to ask questions and make suggestions for episodes. Subscribers are also automatically entered into drawings for free books and resources given away by our sponsors. But most importantly, for just $3 a month you become part of the family of friends that keep the Counsel for Life podcast going! Your small membership fee helps to cover the production costs encountered by hosting a free podcast. Thank you for choosing to become a friend of the podcast we are glad you are here and are grateful for you! (Memberships automatically renew each month and can be cancelled at any time.)To learn more, visit our website: www.counselforlifepodcast.com

This episode features Jonathan and Jennifer Holmes. Jonathan has written a book called Counsel for Couples: A Biblical and Practical Guide for Marriage Counseling, and his wife Jennifer teaches with him on the topic of marriage. They will share their experience of being married and teaching others about marriage, and they also give us insight into ways marriage counseling can help Christian couples grow toward each other and God. Become a friend of the podcast by subscribing! Our subscribers are invited to quarterly zoom calls with the hosts, and they have exclusive access through Patreon messages which allows them to ask questions and make suggestions for episodes. Subscribers are also automatically entered into drawings for free books and resources given away by our sponsors. But most importantly, for just $3 a month you become part of the family of friends that keep the Counsel for Life podcast going! Your small membership fee helps to cover the production costs encountered by hosting a free podcast. Thank you for choosing to become a friend of the podcast we are glad you are here and are grateful for you! (Memberships automatically renew each month and can be cancelled at any time.)To learn more, visit our website: www.counselforlifepodcast.com

In this episode, we will discuss the definition of PTSD and how it affects a person. We'll think about ways it might be helpful to have an official diagnosis of PTSD, and we'll share how we should think about caring for a person who has a PTSD diagnosis. Here is the blog post mentioned in this episode: https://www.ccef.org/ptsd-and-traumaBecome a friend of the podcast by subscribing! Our subscribers are invited to quarterly zoom calls with the hosts, and they have exclusive access through Patreon messages which allows them to ask questions and make suggestions for episodes. Subscribers are also automatically entered into drawings for free books and resources given away by our sponsors. But most importantly, for just $3 a month you become part of the family of friends that keep the Counsel for Life podcast going! Your small membership fee helps to cover the production costs encountered by hosting a free podcast. Thank you for choosing to become a friend of the podcast we are glad you are here and are grateful for you! (Memberships automatically renew each month and can be cancelled at any time.)To learn more, visit our website: www.counselforlifepodcast.com

This episode features Melissa Affolter, counselor and director of content at Fieldstone Counseling. Melissa has many years of experience in leading small groups for survivors of trauma, and she shares with us some benefits of joining with a group of people to work through our pain and grow in our faith. She also talks about some things to consider before joining a group, and she offers wisdom and encouragement to leaders of groups. Melissa leads an online support group called ReStoried, which is designed for survivors of abuse and trauma. Click HERE to learn more about her group.Become a friend of the podcast by subscribing! Our subscribers are invited to quarterly zoom calls with the hosts, and they have exclusive access through Patreon messages which allows them to ask questions and make suggestions for episodes. Subscribers are also automatically entered into drawings for free books and resources given away by our sponsors. But most importantly, for just $3 a month you become part of the family of friends that keep the Counsel for Life podcast going! Your small membership fee helps to cover the production costs encountered by hosting a free podcast. Thank you for choosing to become a friend of the podcast we are glad you are here and are grateful for you! (Memberships automatically renew each month and can be cancelled at any time.)To learn more, visit our website: www.counselforlifepodcast.com

In this episode we are joined by Jack Carson, Executive Director of the Center for Apologetics and Cultural Engagement at Liberty University. Jack has co-written a book called, Surprised by Doubt: How Disillusionment Can Deepen Our Faith.  Today he shares with us some insights into how Christians think about doubt and how their questions can either stunt or strengthen their faith. He also shares wisdom in how we can come alongside someone who is doubting their faith and help them draw near to God even amidst their struggles. Become a friend of the podcast by subscribing! Our subscribers are invited to quarterly zoom calls with the hosts, and they have exclusive access through Patreon messages which allows them to ask questions and make suggestions for episodes. Subscribers are also automatically entered into drawings for free books and resources given away by our sponsors. But most importantly, for just $3 a month you become part of the family of friends that keep the Counsel for Life podcast going! Your small membership fee helps to cover the production costs encountered by hosting a free podcast. Thank you for choosing to become a friend of the podcast we are glad you are here and are grateful for you! (Memberships automatically renew each month and can be cancelled at any time.)To learn more, visit our website: www.counselforlifepodcast.com