Counseling Resources

Addiction

Addiction is a condition that results from a compulsive need for and/or use of a habit-forming substance (e.g., alcohol, drugs, nicotine) or engaging in an activity (e.g., shopping, viewing pornography, gambling) that feels pleasurable to the user. This compulsive need is characterized by tolerance and by physiological or psychological symptoms during withdrawal.

A commonly held belief is that addiction primarily deals with drugs and alcohol; however, addiction encompasses much more. As stated in the definition, addiction is the result of using habit-forming substances or engaging in activities that are habit-forming. If you would like to explore this issue further after reading this packet, please contact the counseling center to schedule an appointment.

Anxiety

Anxiety is the apprehension of a future problem. Think about the last time that you studied for many hours so as to avoid getting a bad grade on a test. Or the last time that you felt “butterflies” before a first date because you wanted to make a good first impression. Some anxiety can be a good and natural thing. However, anxiety can develop and intensify into a disorder that impairs functioning in life, work, and relationships. If you are experiencing anxiety and would like help with this issue after reading this packet, please contact the counseling center to schedule an appointment.

Approval & Shame

Shame causes us to want to hide or be covered up. It is often a sensation or experience. Shame exposes us when we’re not expecting to be exposed, and this produces internal pain. That pain is so powerful we’ll do anything to make it stop – including running away or putting on a mask to feel protected. Often in covering up, we seek to present a version of ourselves to the world that we hope will be acceptable. If we feel insufficient, anxious, incapable, a fraud – then we do everything within our power to keep this hidden.

We put on our best face and stuff our insecurities. In the meantime, we desperately hope and work for all people to like us. We seek the approval of others to ease the story shame has told us all our lives: we are not enough. It’s in Christ that we discover shame and the desire to be approved of no longer have the authority to reign over the life of a Christian. If you would like to explore how shame and approval have affected you after reading this packet, please contact the counseling center to schedule an appointment.

Boundaries

A boundary is a limit that distinguishes one individual from another. In the same sense that a fence marks where a house begins and another property begins, spiritual and emotional boundaries reflect where people begin and end. In other words, they show what is “mine” and what belongs to others. If you have questions about what boundaries are and how to implement them in your life, this packet can help. If you would like to explore boundaries further after reading this packet, please contact the counseling center to schedule an appointment.

Depression

It is very normal for people to periodically experience symptoms of depression. Even biblical heroes, including King David, Job, Jeremiah, and Paul, experienced times of depression in their lives. Symptoms of depression can be caused by loss of employment, loss of loved ones, disease, or unexpected changes in life circumstances. Most depressive symptoms resolve on their own; however, if the symptoms are persistent and cause extreme disruptions in daily life, then assistance may be needed. If you would like to explore this issue further after reading this packet, please contact the counseling center to schedule an appointment.

Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are not just a choice of lifestyle or diet; in fact, they can be fatal diseases. People who struggle with disordered eating or eating disorders usually experience long-term mental distress. It is very likely for eating disorders to develop into a variety of mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, or OCD along with a combination of physical symptoms. Those who suffer from an eating disorder can have an elevated high risk for suicide. After reading this packet, if you feel you are experiencing disordered eating symptoms, please contact the counseling center to schedule an appointment as soon as possible.

Emotions

An emotion is a strong feeling (such as love, anger, joy, hate, or fear). More specifically, it is a conscious mental reaction (such as anger or fear) subjectively experienced as a strong feeling usually directed toward a specific object and typically accompanied by physiological and behavioral changes in the body. There are nine basic emotions: anger, fear, happiness, sadness, guilt, shame, safety, hurt, and loneliness. If you would like to explore emotions further after reading this packet, please contact the counseling center to schedule an appointment.

Forgiveness

Forgiveness is a conscious, deliberate decision to release feelings of resentment or a desire for revenge against someone who has hurt you. Forgiveness is often given to someone who does not want or deserve your forgiveness. Forgiveness means that, regardless of whether the offender deserves or desires to be forgiven, you are ready to release the desire for revenge or for bad things to come to the person who hurt you and to move on with your life. If you have questions about what forgiveness is, this packet can help. If you would like to explore forgiveness further after reading this packet, please contact the counseling center to schedule an appointment.

Grief

Grief is a term that indicates one’s natural reaction to loss, both internally and externally. Grief can manifest itself in individuals on an emotional, cognitive and physical level when he or she experiences significant deprivation from the loss. There are many types of losses that occur throughout our lives. However, what every significant loss has in common is that the individual who loses something is separated from the lost person, object, status, or relationship. If you would like to explore grief further after reading this packet, please contact the counseling center to schedule an appointment.