Truth in Love Counseling

01/28/2026

Our number of faithful followers has significantly increased, and we would like to connect with even more. We're setting a goal of 1000. We are only 7 away from 800. We have found that our number one referral source is you! We appreciate that you trust us enough to tell your friends and family about us. Invite your friends to be our friends. We will treat them with the same loving care that you do. And they will be our friends as well. God bless you!

01/26/2026

Don’t worry. Be happy. Really? Yes, really.

The idea of there being a happiness set point has been assumed since the 70’s. Studies during that time found that lottery winners and people who experienced terrible accidents with life-changing effects, over time would return to their “pre-event happiness levels within a few months or years” (as cited in Diener et al., 2006). These levels represent a measure of happiness influenced by genetics and personality that are relatively stable throughout our lifetimes. We may experience short-term spikes in happiness or a decrease in happiness from experiencing positive or negative life events, but over time we adapt and return to our pre-event state baseline…our set point. This is sometimes referred to as “hedonic adaptation.”
So is there no way to make ourselves any happier? Sonja Lyubomirsky, PhD, a psychology professor from UC Riverside, claims it is possible for people to alter this baseline and create a long-term, lasting well-being increase. This can be done by making a conscious effort to count our blessings (i.e., keeping a gratitude journal) and reframing situations in a positive light. Grateful thinking promotes adaptive coping which reduces the impact of negative events and promotes positive appraisals of stressful events. This can prevent the decline in positive affect over time. It also helps explain why we are advised to “Give thanks in all circumstances (I Thess. 5:18)” and to even “Rejoice in our sufferings (Rom. 5:3).”
Lyubomirsky also recommends practicing kindness and setting and pursuing meaningful goals to sustain increases in happiness. Other ways of preventing hedonic adaptation are to invest in relationships and pursuing activities that align with our values and interests, as well as embracing a growth mindset that focuses on progress rather than perfection. In addition, Lyubomirsky advises slowing down and engaging your senses, and appreciating the simple pleasures around you.
The Apostle Paul reminds us, “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things (Phil. 4:8).” And do them.
Don’t worry. Take control of your mind and your actions. And be happier.

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01/20/2026

Today we celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

“An unexamined life is not worth living.”—Socrates

At various times, we may examine our lives and wonder if what we do really matters. In Scripture, we are told we will one day be judged on how we lived our lives. The prophet, Micah, must have wondered about this at one point and wrote the following words:

With what shall I come before the LORD
when I bow before the God on high?

Micah’s conclusion:

He has shown you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you
but to act justly, to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with your God?

--Micah 6:6-8

Martin Luther King, Jr. said and acted as though these were things that mattered to him. He attempted to bring about justice. To him, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” He didn’t advocate for a violent overthrow or acts of aggression in return for how he was mistreated. To him, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” He spent his life striving for the rights of all men and women. He didn’t just write about it and look for the right time to do something about it. To him, “The time is always right to do the right thing.”

Martin Luther King, Jr. was a great orator. But he didn’t just speak truth. He made the effort to live it out. Today we honor his life.
May we also strive to live lives consistent with what the Lord requires of us.

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11/24/2025

"Ain't we got fun?!"

Truth in Love Counseling staff held their annual chili/soup cookoff and it wasn't the staff who won. This year, our social work intern, Lianna Benjamin won with her version of white bean chili. Last year's champion, Keith Studnicki chose to sit this one out, but graciously handed the trophy to Lianna. Send your congratulations to Lianna via this post. And, just to let you know, Lianna is also a great therapist and available to see new clients.

11/13/2025

Meet Adam Hayes, our new PMHNP-BC!

What is a PMHNP-BC? A PMHNP-BC is an ANCC board-certified Psychiatric Mental-Health Nurse Practitioner. What that means is that you or your doctor don't have to wait months before you can see a psychiatrist to be treated or prescribed medications for anxiety, depression, OCD, ADHD, etc. Adam works with patients from young to senior with these presenting issues, as well as bipolar disorder and PTSD, and he can often get you in for an appointment in about 2 weeks or less. To make an appointment with Adam, contact Truth in Love Counseling at 309/585-0241.

09/25/2025

✨ Carrie, Susan, and Jordan are at the American Association for Christian Counselors Conference this week — getting refreshed, equipped, and inspired! 🙌💡
We’re committed to continual growth so we can serve our clients with excellence, compassion, and Christ-centered care. 💙

09/10/2025

This World Su***de Prevention day, we're reminded of the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 19.Exhausted, afraid, and overwhelmed, Elijah prayed that his life would end. But instead of condemnation, God met him with compassion—providing rest, food, and gentle encouragement.If life feels like too much, know this: God sees you. He meets us in our lowest moments, cares for our needs, and gives us strength for the journey ahead.You are not alone. 💛

09/08/2025

09/03/2025

Still time to sign-up for this workshop Saturday.

Do you find yourself overcommitted? Are there people in your life you can’t say “no” to? Do you wish you had more time for self-care?

This Therapy workshop will help participants learn the value, principles and strategies for setting healthy boundaries in all your relationships, including yourself! We don’t just learn, we practice principles and strategies with each other to gain confidence in asserting our “no” in the real world.

This is a 3-hour workshop that meets on Saturday, September 6, 20269:00am-12pm in TiLC’s conference room. The group is facilitated by Carrie Bussmann, LCPC, founder of Truth in Love Counseling and boundaries expert. The cost of the workshop is $60. Call (309) 585-0241 to sign up.

08/22/2025

Happy birthday to Carrie and Maple! 🎉🥳🎂
Carrie, thank you for all you do to lead us well.
Maple, thank you for all the joy you bring to our office.

08/20/2025

I came across this quote by Craig Groeschel, Pastor of Life.Church and found it so insightful:
“Your life is almost always moving in the direction of your strongest thoughts.”
While positive thinking alone doesn’t fix everything, there’s real power in being aware of our thought life. The way we think shapes how we see ourselves, others, and the world around us.
Therapy can be a powerful tool to explore the patterns we’ve gotten stuck in — and help us shift toward healthier, more grounded ways of thinking.
-Jordan Halpin, LCPC

08/17/2025

I'm not good enough

One of the strategies to deal with the belief about ourselves that we aren't good enough is to re-wire our brain so that we block out the lies and replace them with the truth. In other words, we need to "take every thought captive" (II Cor 10:5), and to put our mind on "things above" (Col 3:2). We need to fill our minds with things we know to be more true than the lie that we aren't good enough. Quite often the lyrics of a Christian song help me to do that. One of the songs I have recently been listening to that does this so well is Zach Williams' song titled, "Jesus Loves." In the chorus he sings, "Come on in and you will find that you don't have to be enough to be someone Jesus loves." (Source: LyricFind; Jesus Loves lyrics @ Essential Music Publishing)
I have a playlist of songs that I listen to pretty much daily, so that my mind is almost constantly focused on what I know to be more true. Even when I am not listening to the music, I find that my mind is still replaying those songs, even when I wake up in the middle of the night.
What song have you listened to recently or in the past that has spoke truth to you about who you are in Christ? Let's make a playlist.