Use the form on the right to contact us.
123 Street Avenue, City Town, 99999
(123) 555-6789
email@address.com
You can set your address, phone number, email and site description in the settings tab.
Link to read me page with more information.
Looking for CEs? Join us on this opportunity to learn more about ADHD throughout the lifespan including strategies that can help manage this transition into Adulthood.
For more information and registration please click on the link below:
Take a look at these workshops offered via Zoom! Topics to be covered include an Introduction to Brief Narrative Therapy and Narrative Practices and Neurobiology.
See more information by clicking the link below!
Celebrating Valentine’s Day: Exploring Self-Love
By: Morgan Draper, Practicum Student
Supervised by: Wendy Brien, MEd, LPC, NCC
February is typically considered the month of love and romance, where couples get together and celebrate their relationship with one another. Recently there has also been a rise in alternatives to Valentine’s Day such as Galentine's Day, and Single’s Day. However, one of the most important celebrations we can take part in, whether single or in a partnership, is the love we can give to ourselves. Self-love can be a difficult subject for many. It can be easier to love someone else or show our love for others than it is to show it to ourselves. But what does self-love mean?
Self-love is simply to have regard for one’s worth and happiness. It is a state of appreciation for oneself that grows from actions that support our physical, psychological, and spiritual growth. In this way, self-love consists of not only how we treat ourselves, but also how we view ourselves. To have a better understanding of what self-love is, I have included some examples as a reference. Self-love does not have to be limited to these examples; however, you may find them as good starting points for your journey.
Examples of Self-Love
Prioritizing yourself.
Valuing your feelings.
Be nice to yourself.
Seeking out care for your mental health.
Eating healthy.
Setting boundaries.
Give yourself a break.
Asking for help.
It is important to note that self-love does not mean that you must love every aspect of yourself or that you will feel good all the time, but that you have a positive mindset and sense of self overall. A good example of this is when you are disappointed in yourself; you may be disappointed in that moment, but you still love who you are regardless. In this way, it is like how we love others, at times we may become disappointed by those we love; however, we still love them, and because of this, we accept their flaws. We need to show compassion for ourselves as much as we do for those around us.
Developing Self-Love
It can be difficult to change our ways of thinking when it comes to how we view ourselves, especially if the thoughts we have are primarily negative. Even though we may recognize this, we often avoid doing things differently than what we have become accustomed to. A lot of this involves self-doubt and the belief that we may not deserve self-love or believe ourselves incapable of showing ourselves love and compassion. One of the best ways to start changing this type of mindset is to develop positive affirmations. Positive affirmations are positive statements that are used to challenge and overcome negative thoughts. When you practice these affirmations and repeat them, you begin to believe them. From there begins your journey of self-love.
Narcissism or Self-love: What’s the Difference?
While it is good to love yourself it is important to understand the distinction between self-love and being “in love” with ourselves. In this way, self-love can be confused with narcissism. Narcissism is not self-love. It involves a selfish and self-centered type of love based outside of reality and is dependent on the views of others, while self-love is about taking responsibility for your mental, physical, and spiritual well-being.
Positive Affirmation Examples
I am enough.
I forgive myself for my mistakes.
My positive thoughts create positive feelings.
I am capable of whatever I set my mind to.
I am worthy.
I appreciate all that my body does for me.
I choose to be happy and completely love myself today.
My strength is greater than my struggle.
At times it may be difficult to say these words and believe in these affirmations, but it is important to continue to recite them and show yourself patience. Developing self-love is no easy task. However, it is worth the effort and time you put towards it. As you go on this journey of self-love, recognize that you are not alone in your struggles, others are walking on a similar path. Feel free to reach out to those around you when things become difficult and seek out additional guidance as needed, such as counseling for any concerns you may have related to your journey.
Surrounding New Year Resolutions
The New Year is often a representative as a time for growth and change, but for many it is also a time of immense stress and anxiety, as we are pressured by society to transform ourselves in some way. Gone are the words of encouragement to participate in the joy of eating and the festivities full of merriment, and in their place comes the dreaded New Year’s Resolutions. Where the feasting and recipes for sweets, treats, and eats once was, now are the adverts for diet fads, gym memberships, and weight loss pills. And they are everywhere. On your television, social media feed, and even present on your regular commute to work. The phrase “New Year, New You” seems to be plastered on every TikTok, every Instagram story, and every advertisement as you scroll through Facebook. It often feels like everyone is doing something to improve themselves whether they are going to the gym, traveling more, or picking up a new hobby. However, though these resolutions may have good meaning behind them, they often fall flat. Leading many of us to feel as though we have failed where others seem to succeed so easily. This can cause an increase in our thoughts of hopelessness, and worthlessness, as well as a fear for our ability to grow as an individual. Fortunately, it is possible to avoid a lot of these feelings by developing and initiating a plan for handling what ever resolutions you decide to make yourself.
Tips for Handling Resolutions
1. Choose a Realistic and Attainable Goal.
Instead of saying I want to lose weight. Identify a realistic amount of weight that you want to and can lose in a physically safe and healthy manner.
2. Develop a Plan to Meet Goal.
Once a goal has been established it is time to develop a timeline to complete said goal. It is important to consider how much time and energy you can give towards meeting your goal. So instead of saying, “I am going to work out every day.” Say, “I am going to work a few hours a week when a can.” It may seem small, but it is a good start in maintaining progress, and avoiding the stress of pushing yourself too hard.
3. Talk to the Professionals.
Have questions? Need information? Talk with your Physician, Therapist, Personal Trainer, or/and Coach to help you make the best decisions for your overall health.
4. Initiate the Plan.
Once you have developed a plan to obtain your goal it is now time to get to work. As you start going through with your plan, you may need to make changes which is okay. Things happen, it is important to stick with it and do what you can. A little goes a long way.
5. Remember it is Okay to Slip Up.
No one is perfect. One of the main causes of resolution anxiety is the fear of failure.
6. You Don’t Have to Make Resolutions.
Above all remember that you don’t have to make resolutions if you don’t want to.
Hopefully, these tips will help you be more successful in whatever resolutions you decide to make even if it means not making any.
NEW Location: PowerHouse Church
There is NO COST to attend this meeting.
To reserve your place at this event please RSVP by filling out this simple form.
https://forms.gle/Lp6DCW82Sgb8FJSJ9
1 hour FREE CEU
Ethics: Resolving Ethical Issues as a Care Provider during a Pandemic
by David Bueno Martin, MA, LPC-S
From Martin Counseling
THE MEETING TIME IS 11:30 AM TO 1:00 PM.
NETWORKING 11:30 AM TO NOON.
CEUs: 12 TO 1:00 PM.
PLAN TO STAY UNTIL 1:00 PM TO RECEIVE FREE CEU.
Hosted by:
Katy Mental Health Network
Katy Spiritual Care Network
David Bueno Martin from Martin Counseling
Eric Ayles from Starlite Recovery
Light lunch provided by Andre Bennett from Matthew's Hope
For any questions, please contact Martin Counseling’s office at 713-489-5473 or email: Info@HoustonLPC.com
Greetings all Licensed Professional Counselors and Mental Health Professionals,
Cypress Creek Hospital would like for you to join us on Friday, February 4, 9:00 Am – 11:30 AM CST for our monthly Continuing Education Course! Please subscribe to our mailing list below to be kept aware of all hospital news, updates, and further information on upcoming CEU’s as well. We hope to see you on Friday and help us give a warm welcome to our featured speaker, David Martin LPCS of Martin Counseling!
Attachment Theory Applied To the Real World: Effective Treatment Strategies for Helping Challenging Children, Teens, and Adults
When
Friday, February 4, 2022
9:00 AM CST - 11:30 AM CST
Add to Calendar
Where
This is an online event.
Please contact mekhicardenas@uhsinc.com if you have any further questions!
Greetings!
Presenter: David Martin, LPCS
David is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor. He loves working with people in the areas of counseling and mental health services. He works with other counselors, children, teens, couples, families, and adults struggling with behavioral, emotional, or relational issues. David is the owner of Martin Counseling in Katy, TX. He started this group practice in 2011. He is the founder of HoustonLPC.com, a free referral service for counseling and a social networking platform for mental health professionals in the Greater Houston area.
David was born in Mallorca, Spain's biggest island in the Mediterranean. He moved to the United States in 2005.
Link to register listed below!
Click the link below for more information!
FRIDAY, JAN 21, 2022, 8:30-4:00PM
Address: 11801 Grogan’s Mill Rd.
The Woodlands, TX 77380
Hosted by:
The Woodlands First Baptist Church
Houston Area Spiritual Care Network
Mosiacs of Mercy
PLEASE REGISTER AT:
Tis' the season to celebrate and network!
Thursday, December 2nd, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Bring out your ugliest Christmas sweater!
Bring Marketing Materials and Raffle Items
Other surprises
Location: Willow Fork Park in Cinco Ranch
There is NO COST to this meeting.
To reserve your place at this event please RSVP by filling out this simple form.
https://forms.gle/9sRkdQqvLpdrLwRU7
Hosted by:
David B. Martin from Martin Counseling
Jade McGowen from Arcadia
Sponsored by:
Katy Mental Health Network
Arcadia Healthcare
Snacks and Hot cocoa provided by Jade McGowen from Arcadia Healthcare
DATES: Friday, October 29th and Saturday, October 30th
LOCATION: In person at Houston’s First Baptist Church – Downtown (1730 Jefferson St.) and available via streaming
SPONSORED BY: The Gideon Institute of Christian Psychology & Counseling at Houston Baptist University and the Julianna Poor Memorial Counseling Center at Houston’s First Baptist Church
The Psalms invite us to put our most difficult experiences into words and share them with God. Research on therapy has found psychological benefits in journaling and talking with others who are safe and empathetic. Come to a two-track conference to hear from therapists, pastors, theologians, and sufferers talk about addressing sin and suffering by talking with God and others.
Track 1 (for Mental Health Professionals) – Friday afternoon (includes 3 CEUs).
Track 2 (for Laypersons and Ministers) – Friday evening and Saturday.
Friday night concert by Christian songwriter and artist, Andy Gullahorn. Followed by speaker, Kay Warren, Co-Founder of Saddleback Church and Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Advocate.
Speakers and attendees can participate either in-person or online.
For more information or to register, go to Gideon Institute @ HBU
Narrative conversations are like skeleton keys that open doors to multiple worlds of experience. They inspire people to break free from taken-for-granted beliefs and embark on journeys toward what is possible to know and do about their lives. Nevertheless, the skills for facilitating a collaborative and generative narrative conversation can remain elusive even to most veteran practitioners. What is different about an inspiring, liberating conversation that opens up space for possibility, hope, and movement from a discouraging, impoverishing conversation that closes down space for possibility, hope, and movement? What questions are invitational and contribute to inspiration and action? What is the role of language? What are the elements of a conversation that elicits peoples; subordinated storylines? We will explore these questions, conversations, and more in this interactive training experience. Clear presentation, digitally recorded narrative therapy session examples, a comprehensive handout package and experiential practice exercises will create a rich training experience. There will be a particular emphasis on skill-building through practice, practice, and more practice.
Explore the elements of conversations that invite people into rapid and deep engagement.
Become familiar with questions that invite people to reconnect with their strongly held values.
Explore storied therapy as a 3-act play metaphor for scaffolding journey development.
Examine conversations that build on peoples local knowledge
Explore how stories contribute to the meaning of understanding and living life.
Explore clear ways of immediately taking this work into your practice wisdom.
Develop ways to map the influence of the problem in people; lives and relationships.
Explore intentional versus internal states of being.
Develop skills that facilitate respectful and meaningful conversations with people.
This workshop is of strong interest to social workers, counselors, therapists, psychologists, nurses, school personnel, consultants, and anyone wishing to increase their skills in facilitating energizing, competency-oriented conversations.
Are you ready for a Fall event with great networking in our community?
Friday, October 1st, 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
Dress Comfortably
Bring Marketing Materials and Raffle Items
Other surprises
Location: Grace Fellowship Church
2655 S. Mason Road, Katy, TX 77450
There is NO COST to this meeting.
To reserve your place at this event please RSVP by filling out this simple form.
https://forms.gle/4mwVWgNKnsNNufvq6
Hosted by:
Grace Fellowship Care Ministry
Sponsored by:
Katy Mental Health Network
Katy Spiritual Care Network
David B. Martin from Martin Counseling
Eric Ayles from Starlite Recovery
Light lunch provided by Andre Bennett from Matthew's Hope
Meadows Behavioral Healthcare is proud to bring you this Knowledge Network
FREE continuing education webinar.
For over 40 years, The Meadows Model has been treating trauma and addiction, using both Pia Mellody’s Model on Codependency and cutting-edge brain stem interventions. These support individuals as they learn to re-regulate and traverse the autonomic shifts necessary to create healing conditions. Because meaning follows physiology, one of the main goals is to utilize specific therapeutic modalities to interrupt negative feedback loops, including disorganized breathing patterns, thoughts, and brainwave patterns. The state of our nervous system will inform how we organize our experiences and make meaning of our life. Using Brain Stem Interventions, such as Neurofeedback, we work directly with the nervous system to help individuals reorganize subcortical non-conscious survival adaptations. We explore the importance of experiencing the body in the present moment as healing happens in the here-and-now. This presentation will include a description of various neuro therapies utilized, how and why they are used within the context of treatment planning, and a case presentation to demonstrate key concepts.
Describe Alpha wave importance and two devices that increase the prevalence of this frequency range.
Differentiate two types of brain stems interventions: Infra Low Neurofeedback and Listening/Sound Protocol.
Identify therapeutic benefits of Neurofeedback (NFB) as an ancillary treatment for complex, developmental trauma, and addiction.
Going back to school is a time of mixed feelings for children. The feelings involved consist of being: excited, interested, optimistic, fearful, anxious, and vulnerable to name just a few. However, when these feelings aren’t positive, they may manifest in physical symptoms such as sleep problems, tummy aches, dizziness, nausea, or asking too many questions.
This year, especially, COVID-19 has all the more changed the “going back to school” scenario for a lot of children.
In 2020, children were restricted to their homes and forced to cope with online lessons, academic challenges, social isolation and panic about the outcome of COVID-related health issues. So many children have seen so many losses. For example, the death of a loved one or the loss of social status due to parents being unemployed.
Now in 2021, most of the schools are making arrangements for face-to-face school, preparing to return to ‘normalcy.’
Some children may worry about how the virus will affect them and their loved ones.
Some may be concerned about their academic level. Regardless of their individual concerns, there is no doubt that COVID-19 has made the learning curve uneven for many kids.
Some children will have social anxiety, whereas other children feel excited about going back into the classroom. However, none of them will be able to jump out of bed in their PJ’s 5 minutes before school and get on screen for their online lessons. They will have to wake up, get dressed, eat and then leave for school (and face morning traffic!).
Whichever is the case, here are some ways you can help restore the status quo for your children in their journey back to school:
● Preemptively talk about possible scenarios that your child might be worried about. Reinforce the importance of using: masks, hand sanitizers, and social distancing. COVID-19 has temporarily changed the meaning of kindness.
Kindness means wearing a mask and maintaining social distancing - not only to protect yourself but also your peers. Talk about how kindness means not hugging or sharing lunch boxes with each other (YET!). Communicating with them validates their emotions and facilitates deriving rational solutions to emotional problems.
● Create a visual schedule, two weeks before school starts. This can be a visual schedule using pictures or drawings to delineate their routines in school. Also, set their alarm early so that their sleep cycle can get closer to their normal school routine.
● Schedule a visit to their new school: most schools will offer a back-to-school night or orientation session. However, if your school doesn’t offer one, you can try requesting the school’s staff to allow you and your child to visit.
● Vision boards offer exciting and creative ways of setting learning goals for the year ahead. This can be helpful to envision their school year ahead. Vision boards can be a digital collage or can be handmade with construction paper, a lot of poster colors, markers, and glue. Alternatively, making bracelets with an empowering word is also a great way of coping with school-related anxiety whilst doing something creative and engaging.
Finally, talk about having a growth mindset and use the word “YET” to validate their anxiety. You can’t do it “YET” does not mean you will “never” be able to do it. Take it one step at a time, maintain communication and collaborate with your child.
It’s normal for your child to feel fear and excitement; after all, going back to school can be quite overwhelming. However, if these fears don’t eventually dissipate, it’s a good idea to contact your school counselor or a counseling agency to seek help.
Blog post was written by:
Rubina Anis, MA Counseling, Msc Human Development LPC Associate
Supervised by Ashley Forster, M.Ed, LPC- S
El autor David Bueno Martin estará compartiendo información y firmando ejemplares de su primer libro: “Bipolarizados”. El evento tomará lugar el Viernes, 16 de Julio a partir de las 7:00 pm, en las oficinas de Martin Counseling (472 Park Grove Dr. Katy, TX 77450). Este es un evento familiar, pero no se ofrece cuidado de niños. Pedimos a todas las personas presentes que lleven mascaras y respeten la distancia social si no han sido vacunadas por Covid-19.
https://forms.gle/27wUjELd2YkSt94z6
Brief Narrative Therapy
Jim Duvall
(Zoom Event )
This training will facilitate the exploration of brief narrative practices through clear presentations, digitally recorded examples of narrative therapy sessions, experiential exercises, a comprehensive handout package, and a bibliography. There will be a particular emphasis on (practice-practice-practice) micro-skill development and ways of immediately taking this work into your personal style and "real world" practice wisdom.
This training program will be of interest to counselors, therapists, community workers, psychologists, social workers, nurses, teachers, consultants, and anyone seeking to work collaboratively with people toward preferred change.
The training will emphasize the following ideas:
The social justice worldview supports time-sensitive narrative practices.
The cultural context of those problems that people bring to therapy.
The cultural context of therapy itself.
Posture with and accountability to those people seeking consultation.
The non-neutrality of all therapeutic conversations.
Master narratives and the politics of everyday life.
Externalizing conversations: the person is not the problem; the problem is the problem.
Re-membering conversations: reconsidering the memberships of our lives.
Understanding storied therapy as a Three-Act Play.
Loitering with intent and listening for subordinate storylines.
Creating questions that generate meaning.
DATES: Five Saturdays October to December 2021.
TIMES: 9:00 am – 4:00pm (CST)
Jim Duvall M.Ed. is Co-Director of JST Institute and Editor of Journal of Systemic Therapies. His experience as a therapist, consultant, speaker, editor, and author spans over four decades. He has spent over 300 hours studying and collaborating with Michael White in training, writing, and community projects.
Jim is internationally recognized for his practice, research, and innovative development in brief and narrative practices. His work aims to integrate time-sensitive narrative practices within social justice principles.
In addition to numerous articles, book chapters, and two books, Jim co-authored a policy paper (Duvall, J., Young, K., Kays-Burden, A., 2012), No more, no less; Brief mental health services for children and youth. His book (Duvall & Béres, 2011), Innovations in Narrative Therapy: Connecting Practice, Training, and Research. WW Norton & Company is the first book to integrate training and research with narrative therapy, resulting in compelling practice base evidence. The book he co-edited with Marie-Nathalie Beaudoin addresses the intersection of collaborative therapies and neurobiology.
He has provided hundreds of workshops, courses, and keynote presentations with organizations throughout Canada, the US, Australia, Asia, and Europe and is noted for his interactive teaching style. When Jim is not writing or teaching, he can be found playing music with his friends or boating on the Gulf of Mexico with his partner, children, grandchildren, and dog, Banjo.
The University experience has changed forever because of the events of 2020.
While adaptations to the learning environment in response to Covid-19 will one day be a moment in history, some of these changes to the learning experience will remain beyond the presence of the pandemic. While these adaptations are an understandable maturation of an increasingly interconnected world, the new reliance on remote learning has introduced challenges for young adults as they pursue mental well-being and a college experience with sufficient connectedness and development.
At Momentous, we are deeply committed to offering students an experience rich in community, adventure, and Christian Discipleship while they continue college remotely. If you’re a parent seeking a rich, developmental journey for your new college student or simply think your student is a great fit for a gap-year-like experience that allows them to continue their education, we invite you to consider our program as the next step in their journey.
Here are some key components to what makes up the Momentous experience for students:
Go on adventures from rafting, backpacking, ziplining, and more that strengthen your ability to be interconnected with others and exercise your faith.
Grow in generosity as you give of yourself, your talents, and your time through mission and service projects.
Scheduled time dedicated to studies from the University of your choice.
Live in a purposeful and deep Christ-centered community.
Grow through Inductive Bible Study, Apologetics, and Discipleship in an environment designed for addressing tough questions, deepening the confidence in your faith, and becoming equipped to be a better ambassador for Christ for the rest of your life.
Learn more about Momentous at Momentous. World
Mention “Houston LPC” with your application for a chance to win a $50 REI Gift Card
June 4 th and 5 th, 2021 – 1 PM to 5 PM (CST)
This introductory workshop serves as a threshold for those practitioners interested in the ongoing study of the key ideas and time-sensitive practices of brief narrative therapy. Brief narrative therapy introduces the idea that our lives are made up of multiple experiences that can be strung together into many possible stories. Stories make it possible for people to make sense of their life experiences. When people enter into therapy, they are often captured up in problem-saturated, self-demeaning, restricting stories that contribute to a sense of personal failure. This workshop will introduce participants to the propositions associated with the narrative metaphor and will invite them to explore the practices of narrative therapy that help people to challenge and break free of problem-saturated stories and assist them to explore subordinated “identity stories” that offer new possibilities for their lives.
These narrative explorations can be viewed as journeys, and therapists are guided in these journeys by a particular posture and a range of conversations and questions that are available to them. Although these scaffolded conversations do not specify the destination, they do provide the therapist and the person seeking conversation with a compass along the way. This multi-storied orientation assists therapists to recognize possibilities that exist in people’s lives and provides a basis for the development of collaborative conversations and meaning generating therapeutic questions that have the potential to speed people toward the purposes and preferred destinations in their lives.
Clear presentation, digitally recorded examples of narrative therapy sessions, experiential exercises, a comprehensive handout package, and a bibliography will be offered to create a rich and interactive brief narrative practice training experience. There will be a particular emphasis on hands-on (practice-practice-practice) micro-skill development and ways of taking this work into your own personal style and practice wisdom.
Participants will be introduced to:
The guiding assumptions and key concepts of narrative practices.
Ways of situating our work within the post-structural inquiry.
The roles of discourse, deconstruction, and transparency.
Externalizing conversations and, the problem is the problem, not the person
Ways to get to know the person away from the problem.
Therapeutic posture and post-structural listening.
Scaffolding therapeutic conversations across The Zone of Proximal Development
How to create questions as invitations to generate meaning.
Narrative ideas and practices that can be applied to your work and life immediately.
CEU’s
Certificate verifying 8 hours of participation completed will be awarded to each participant.
For more information, please visit jstinstitute.com
Dear Martin Counseling therapists,
I’m a little nervous about seeing a counselor. What can I expect when I start?”
The first therapy session can be really anxiety-provoking and scary! Clients don't know me, and I don't know them. In a first therapy session, this is my goal, to get to know you as a person. Yes, I want to know what brought you in, but I also want to know hobbies, the music you like, and other interests you may have. You are a whole person, and I want to know that. I also want to make sure you know what sessions may look like; I will orient you through the process, what to expect, and I want feedback around what's helpful and what's not. We are in this together.
Elizabeth Befort, LCSW
**********
One question I often get asked is whether or not a parent should join for their child's first therapy session. While the focus of the therapy may be helping the child/teenager, it is important that we are all on the same page on a variety of topics. This could range from family history to confidentiality limits with minors to goals for therapy. I try to also have some time with the minor so that they can speak freely if they are uncomfortable saying something in front of the parent.
Ashley Forster, M.Ed. LPC-S
*************
One thing I hear from wives who are trying to get their husbands to seek couples counseling is that their husbands are hesitant or even refuse to go because they have heard horror stories of other men who feel like they were beaten up by the counselor. This is a valid concern and one that, as a husband, a counselor, and a man, I am aware and respectful of. Couples counseling is painful enough without feeling like you’re being beaten up for just trying to live your life. You can expect me to hold both of you in the same regard. I follow the rule that the only place a couples counselor should choose sides is at Texas Roadhouse.
Dave M. Clark MS LPC- Associate
***********
When first starting therapy, it is important that you know you control the session. It is important for you to know that you only have to speak about things that you are comfortable speaking about and that you may not feel ready to speak on any deeper concerns until you are comfortable with your therapist. It can be helpful to write down any questions you have before the session, as well as any concerns you have. Your therapist is going to walk you through informed consent and make sure you have a good understanding of your rights and responsibilities, as well as your therapist's responsibilities to you. The therapist is probably going to ask you about yourself, your background, and you may complete some questionnaire-style paperwork that is going to be your therapist's first sample of data regarding any assessment.
The therapist may talk to you about beginning to think about some goals that you would like to achieve from counseling. Your counselor will work with you and guide you through everything you do and is always ready and willing to answer your questions.
Jess Parker, MA LPC-Associate
**********
If you feel like you need to speak to a professional counselor, please give us a call at Martin Counseling 713-489-5473
This is a guest post by Jess Parker. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor - Associate, supervised by David B. Martin, MA, LPC-S at Martin Counseling. Find out more about her here.
February, for many, is associated with thoughts of love and relationships. Whether you are married, dating, or talking about friendships; relationships can take work and can sometimes be a challenge to navigate.
Have you ever noticed those relationships where the people seem so in tune...it’s like they can read each other’s minds?
Communication is one of the basis of a healthy relationship. Many times when getting to know spouses, partners, or friends we discuss our hopes and dreams, our aspirations, our values, and these form the basis for whether we continue the relationship. As we become more comfortable and time goes on, we have these conversations less and less, and begin to assume that those initial conversations are still where each other stands. But ask yourself...do I change as a person as the years go by?
As time goes by our dreams change, and we grow. Many clients have told me that they don’t have these conversations with their significant others in the way they used to. They make assumptions, which can lead to damaging expectations.
When expectations aren’t communicated they can lead to disappointment and hurt.
Take time to have conversations with the people you care about, and question whether you are explicitly communicating your wants, needs and desires, or are working on the assumption that the other person “should” know what you want.
Effective communication includes actively listening, and a tip for this is to summarize back to the other person what you believe you heard. This is a great way to show the other person you are listening, and also a way to check that you are understanding what they are saying.
