“Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.” -Jesus (Matt. 7:12) Our interactions with others are based on the internal narrative we believe about ourselves, our place in the world, and how others are going to …
Tag Archive: empathy
Dec 05
Flashback Thursday: Managing holiday expectations
CLICK HERE FOR A BULLETIN INSERT ABOUT MANAGING HOLIDAY EXPECTATIONS While far from ideal, my childhood provided me with great memories of the holidays. I recall special days of decorating cookies with my Aunt Shirley, sharing a bowl of homemade Chex mix with my Grandpa Haughee while watching football, candlelight services at church, and …
Nov 12
Intermountain Moment: Camden’s Story
Ten-year-old “Camden’s” mom was highly abused throughout her life. In fact, horrific abuse goes back three or four generations in their family. Camden’s mom is both hyper-protective and terrified of her children’s emotions. Camden and his mother needed help to keep their small family together. Intermountain’s Community-based Services provided that help. Camden has a “light …
Oct 11
Guest post: Proactive Parenting by Tracie Dahl, LCPC
Parents can easily describe many pressures from their own “tween” and teen years which bring back awkward memories and cringe-worthy recollections. However, the world has changed exponentially in the last several decades and continues to undergo rapid changes at an erratic and unpredictable pace. The world today is filled with what can only be perceived …
Aug 09
Flashback Friday: “My Tears in His Bottle,” a devotional by Pat Hays
Pat Hays has written a devotional book that gives wonderful insight into the joys and struggles that parenting a child with emotional special needs presents. Her book, My Tears in His Bottle: prayers from the heart of a special needs’ mom, contains excerpts from her personal prayer journal as she worked through the last fifteen …
May 08
Intermountain Moment: 17-year old Kevin
“Kevin” recently returned to public school after serving a sentence in residential treatment for sexually abusing another child. The director of Intermountain’s school-based-services says that everyone was afraid of Kevin: the schools, his probation officer, his therapist. Even experienced staffers at Intermountain were afraid of Kevin. However, Kevin was what people call a “paper monster.” …
Apr 10
Guest post: Family Therapy… You are worth it! by Phillip Quinn, M.Ed., LCPC
Living with a family member that is struggling—whether from trauma, depression, anxiety, cognitive delays, or anything else—takes a toll. It can feel like a hopeless situation. This is where family therapy comes in. Family therapy isn’t about getting blamed or identifying the problem person. It’s not about finding a scapegoat or finding an ally to …
Mar 18
IM Moment: Changing attitudes towards mental health and the church
“In this life you WILL have trouble,” Jesus said, “but take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). The troubles that come our way are various and sometimes complicated. Physical, mental, emotional, and relational difficulties can intertwine themselves into a big, BIG ball of overwhelming force that threatens to shake our faith …
Oct 18
Intermountain Moment: Helping the trauma-affected child succeed at play, with Kathleen Slack, M.S.
Play time can be hard for any child, but is especially difficult for trauma-affected children. Children that have been affected by early childhood trauma and severe stress are often given any number of labels to describe the symptoms of that trauma or adverse childhood experience: PTSD, ODD (Oppositional Defiant Disorder), ADD/ADHD (Attention Deficit Disorder or Attention …