For clients struggling with trauma, anxiety, depression, chronic physical pain, athletic performance anxiety, and behavioral problems who feel "stuck" and unable to make progress with traditional talk therapy, Brainspotting Therapy may be an intervention that can break through frustrating barriers. Nicole Parker, MA, LPC is trained in Brainspotting Therapy and describes it in easy-to-understand- l...  Read More

“Remember that it’s not always the circumstance, but how you react to the circumstance that matters. Take a deep breath and let your heart feel compassion for your hurting teen.”  Read More

" I believe in the power of INTIMACY (into-me-you-see), which involves identifying and labeling your emotions as a way to self-regulate your nervous system but also as a way to connect with others."  Read More

Elizabeth Molina, LPC-Associate| You may feel emotions - perhaps you observe yourself feeling a lot of them or maybe it’s difficult to notice what emotions come up for you, if any. Either way, emotions are a universal human experience and there is often a lot of misinformation, judgment, confusion, and shame when they surface. Sometimes the idea is that there is a need to “fix” or even rid ourselves of certain feelings. However, ...  Read More

Elizabeth Molina, LPC-Associate | *Oftentimes, the fear of the storm is a lot scarier than the storm itself. To a greater degree, the fear of feelings is a lot scarier than the feelings themselves* From the intricate details of the brain to the complexity and mystery of the universe, God’s creation never ceases to amaze and awe. There is much insight we can observe and glean from God’s innovation and design. For instance, while cattle are similar in some ways to buffalo, there are some significant differences in their responses to stress.  Imagine a scene of a threatening storm approaching—l...  Read More

Michelle Johnson-MA, LPC | But what happens if what happens isn’t what was supposed to happen? Due to an increasing number of difficulties surrounding infertility, poor health or complications in pregnancy, a history of PTSD, a negative subjective birth experience, having an operative birth (i.e., assisted vaginal or caesarean section), and lack of support during birth (Ayers, 2017), to name a few, some women find themselves tangled in a web of emotions that they neither understand nor can communicate.  Read More

Nicole Parker, MA, LPC-Associate | Without warning, you suddenly feel it come over your body and the familiar dread drapes down upon you. Your chest feels like someone is sitting on it – or worse yet, squeezing it. You notice that you’re not breathing normally; your breaths become quick, and they feel impossible to slow.  Read More

Hannah Pitman-MA, LPC| When adding in structure or nurture, start small! A goal could be to pick one connecting activity, noticing one match a day, or setting aside connecting time once per week. Pick one structure thing you want to add in, start with one ritual every day at bedtime or pizza night once a week. If you start too big it is easy to get overwhelmed and discouraged and not do any of it. Have grace for yourself and use your strengths to help you build in the areas that are more difficult. Also, press into those strengths! Keep doing the things you are already doing well and good luck!  Read More

Regina Gray-MS, LPC-Associate| Social media has de-stigmatized therapy in recent years, leading to many productive conversations about mental health. However, I have noticed the word “process” frequently thrown around with little or no context. Many of my clients come in asking to process different areas of their life, and I always start with the same question: “What does processing mean to yo...  Read More

Mary Kate Sowell, MS, LMFT-Associate| “I’ve already forgiven him,” Riley shared, “so why can’t I get past this?” Riley and Alex came to therapy a few months after Riley learned of Alex’s infidelity. They had become exhausted by a conversation that seemed to repeat itself on a never-ending loop. Riley would find herself overwhelmed with anger and sadness after something reminded her of husband’s betrayal. She would pull away from him o...  Read More

Hannah Pitman, MA, LPC | The start of the new year is an opportunity for reflection and goal-setting, and perhaps the most transformative action we can take this year is learning how to connect more meaningfully with our partners and children.  Read More

Hannah Pitman, MA, LPC | Hannah offers us a spiritual perspective on purpose and hope during this pandemic, reflecting on a quote from C.S. Lewis in "The Weight of Glory."  Read More

Carolyn Dixon, MSW, LCSW | In her second "My Favorite Things" post, Carolyn offers her thoughts on keeping your marriage healthy in the midst of COVID-19 and too much time at home with your spouse.  Read More

Carolyn Dixon, MSW, LCSW | Life is about RUPTURES AND REPAIRS. The bottom line is that the goal is not to never have a conflict. The goal is to know how to repair conflict. Trying to dissolve all of our relational problems is not a realistic option.  Read More

Rachelle Honohan, MSW, LCSW-S & Hannah Pitman, MA, LPC | While increased time at home for your family may feel overwhelming, it can also be an opportunity to slow down and focus on your relationships with your spouse and children. Read on for some tips to help this challenging time become smoother and even enjoyable!  Read More

Kerry Williamson, MA, LPC-S, LMFT-S, CST | The worldwide coronavirus pandemic has rapidly changed our daily lives, and for many of us, it stirs up fear. Kerry shares about fear and the brain and offers a biblical understanding of finding release from the cycle of worry and embracing abundant life in the present moment.  Read More

Kerry Williamson, MA, LPC-S, LMFT-S, CST | Sexual struggles are some of the most painful and loneliest problems that couples will face. Sex therapy can offer powerful opportunities for healing, connecting, and rediscovering pleasure.  Read More

ALCS Team | Happy New Year! Hear from each of us at ALCS as we reflect on 2019 and offer our thoughts on beginning the new decade with awareness, gratitude, peace, and intention.  Read More

Thanksgiving is the perfect time to look inward and reflect on God's many blessings. On a more personal note, Rachel Williamson opens up about a Williamson family Thanksgiving tradition and shares about her gratitude for her family, the ALCS staff, and ALCS clients and community.   Read More

Hannah Pitman, MA, LPC | Our children are not immune to the stressors of our culture today. EMDR is a therapeutic technique that has been clinically proven to help clients who are struggling with anxiety or depress--including children.  Read More

Hannah Pitman, MA, LPC | Because we live in a broken world, children will have negative experiences no matter how vigilant a parent is. Read on to learn about trauma in children and how EMDR can help.  Read More

Rachelle Honohan, LCSW | The back-to-school transition may be exciting, but it can also cause anxiety for children, pre-teens, and teens alike—and their parents, for that matter! Here are some recommendations from Rachelle Honohan, LCSW...  Read More

Michelle Johnson, MA, LPC | The adolescent years can be chock full of turmoil fueled by the perfect storm of physical, mental and emotional development overload.  Read More

We're thrilled to introduce an Abundant Life Counseling Services, P.A. satellite location in Kyle, TX. Read on to hear from Michelle Johnson as she shares the story behind the center and her hopes for ALCS in Kyle.  Read More