Regent University Alumni DFW

Regent University Alumni DFW Regent University Alumni Association: Dallas - Fort Worth Metroplex Chapter

This is the page for the Dallas - Fort Worth Metroplex Chapter of the Regent University Alumni Association.

11/18/2025

Podcast with Will Cole, Mental Health Counselor at Crawford Clinics
In a world sending mixed messages about masculinity, parents are facing a new challenge: How do we raise boys who grow into strong, emotionally grounded, spiritually anchored men?
In this powerful episode, Will Cole, mental health counselor at Crawford Clinics specializing in healthy masculinity, breaks down the essential ingredients boys need to develop into men of courage, compassion, confidence, and character.
Drawing from biblical wisdom, clinical insight, and years of counseling boys, teens, and men, Will shares:

What boys need emotionally from mom and dad at each stage of development

How to nurture a boy’s sensitivity without weakening his masculine strength

The role of fathers (and father figures) in shaping identity, security, and calling

How to help boys process emotions in healthy ways instead of shutting down

Why discipline + connection creates the safest foundation for masculine maturity

How to build resilience, grit, and godly confidence in a generation facing anxiety and confusion

The spiritual formation boys need to hear God’s voice and walk in purpose

Will also covers the dangers of shame-based parenting, overprotection, and cultural stereotypes that wound a boy’s sense of self—and shows parents how to replace them with affirmation, boundaries, strength, and grace.
Whether you’re raising sons, mentoring young men, leading youth, or simply wanting to understand masculinity through a healthier lens, this episode is a hope-filled guide to helping boys become the men God designed them to be: steady, secure, wholehearted, and unshakeably rooted in identity and purpose.

masculinity, purpose, identity, Christian men, mental health, emotional healing, inner healing, faith-based counseling.

Christian masculinity

faith and mental health

biblical manhood

identity in Christ

men’s mental health

masculine strength

restoring masculinity

emotional health for men

godly leadership

faith-based counseling

father wounds

men and anxiety

inner healing

Christian psychology

09/07/2025

The baby is finally here. Everyone says this should be the happiest time of your life…But instead, you feel overwhelmed, disconnected, and maybe even ashamed to admit: something’s off.
In this raw and hope-filled episode of Unlock U with Dr. Shannan Crawford, licensed psychologist Dr. Grace Spencer—one of Crawford Clinics’ trusted providers—speaks candidly about the emotional rollercoaster of postpartum depression. With deep compassion and clinical insight, Dr. Grace helps new moms and couples understand what’s really going on beneath the surface when the joy of a new baby is met with exhaustion, sadness, irritability, or even resentment.
You’ll learn how the hormonal crash, sleep deprivation, identity shifts, and mounting relational stress can all serve as powerful triggers—not only for postpartum depression, but for old wounds that may resurface in unexpected ways. Dr. Grace shares practical strategies for nurturing emotional well-being, safeguarding your relationship, and making room for grace (not guilt) in this tender season.
Whether you’re a new mom, a supportive partner, or someone walking with a couple in this season—this episode is an invitation to heal, reconnect, and grow together as you welcome new life.
💬 For a free consult with Dr. Grace Spencer: CrawfordClinics.com/contact🎧 Listen now on Unlock U with Dr. Shannan Crawford—available on all major podcast platforms.

Subscribe to Unlock U YouTube channel to watch previous episodes with Dr. Grace: https://youtu.be/ZAKfOheghPY?si=aBYJLtqFkXyxF5C4

And if you're looking for community to help you navigate infertility and miscarriage https://www.momsinthemaking.com/

08/31/2025

He throws tantrums over small things.She clings, cries, or shuts down unexpectedly.You’ve tried rewards, consequences, charts—but something still doesn’t sit right.
What if your child’s “behavior issues” aren’t about disobedience at all—but grief?
In this heart-opening episode of Unlock U with Dr. Shannan Crawford, we welcome Abby Thomas, a trusted mental health provider at Crawford Clinics who specializes in working with children ages 3–11, including those who are neurodivergent (Autism, ADHD). With her deep warmth and Christ-centered compassion, Abby helps parents look beneath the surface of behavior to what their child is really trying to say.
Abby reveals how unprocessed grief—whether from divorce, moves, sensory overload, or changes at school—can be silently shaping your child’s emotional world. Rather than defaulting to behavior correction, this episode offers a powerful new way to connect with your child’s heart: by teaching them how to grieve well.
If your child has big emotions, challenging behaviors, or struggles to express what they’re feeling—this episode will equip and encourage you to slow down, tune in, and begin healing… together.
💬 For a free consult with Abby: CrawfordClinics.com/contact🎧 Listen now on Unlock U with Dr. Shannan Crawford—wherever you get your podcasts.

For more content on parenting, subscribe to the Unlock U YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/dNjW2S_VuWE?si=8IKuhdz4eiAxWwIS

08/24/2025

She was bubbly and confident in elementary school—always quick to smile, dance in the kitchen, and ask you to tuck her in.
But lately… you’ve noticed a shift.
She’s quieter. Withdrawn. Glued to her phone. The sparkle in her eyes seems dimmer. And the conversations? They’ve turned into one-word answers and long silences. You wonder: Is she okay? Am I losing her?
In this deeply relatable episode of Unlock U with Dr. Shannan Crawford, meet Gracie Showers, one of Crawford Clinics’ gifted mental health providers who specializes in walking with 12–16-year-old girls as they navigate the pressures of middle and high school.
With compassion, clinical skill, and a Christ-centered perspective, Gracie partners with families to raise emotionally resilient, relationally wise, and spiritually anchored daughters—girls who know their worth, set healthy boundaries, and live with intention in a culture pulling them in all the wrong directions.
If you’ve ever worried your daughter is losing her way—or that the world might get to shape her more than God’s design—this episode is your invitation to hope, help, and healing.
💬 For a free consult with Gracie: CrawfordClinics.com/contact🎧 Listen now on Unlock U with Dr. Shannan Crawford—available wherever you get your podcasts.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel to Unlock U https://youtu.be/lXRVmCIMcUo?si=SKy_lh3QSaN19T78

08/17/2025

You were told your 20s are supposed to be “the best years of your life”... so why do they feel so overwhelming, disappointing, and filled with pressure to perform?
In this episode of Unlock U with Dr. Shannan Crawford, meet Claire Gaither, Crawford Clinics’ “Gen Z counselor,” who gets what it’s like to scroll through highlight reels, hustle for approval, and wonder if you’re falling behind while trying so hard to get it right.
Claire opens up with the raw story of a young woman who tried to check all the boxes—perfect internship, gym routine, social life—but still felt anxious, exhausted, and unsure of who she really was. Sound familiar?
If you're an emerging adult trying to be somebody, Claire shares how to slow down, listen inward, and build a life that’s not about comparison—but about calling. Learn practical tools to stop performing, start aligning with your true self, and actually enjoy the messy, meaningful journey of becoming.
💬 For a free consult with Claire, visit CrawfordClinics.com/contact

And watch her prior episode on Dating, Situationship, & Actually Finding "The One" https://youtu.be/lXRVmCIMcUo?si=DKFZkRalsmemBASa

08/10/2025

Pregnancy isn’t just about growing a baby—it’s about becoming someone new. In this tender and truth-filled episode of Unlock U with Dr. Shannan Crawford, licensed psychologist Dr. Grace Spencer invites you into the sacred, messy, and miraculous journey of pregnancy and early motherhood.
With gentle wisdom and clinical insight, Dr. Grace helps you make sense of what’s happening in your body, your hormones, your heart, and your relationship—so you can show up with grace and compassion for yourself and your partner. From emotional waves and identity shifts to the quiet aches we don’t always say out loud, this conversation is a soft place to land and a strong place to rise from.
You are not alone. You are not failing. You are becoming.
👉 To connect with Dr. Grace for a free consultation, visit CrawfordClinics.com/contact.

💛 If you’re walking through infertility or pregnancy loss, we encourage you to revisit our first conversation with Dr. Grace on navigating grief and hope through those sacred struggles. https://youtu.be/ZAKfOheghPY?si=QjVsyJbSgVHohvZB

08/09/2025

“I walked past their empty bedroom and felt a lump rise in my throat. The silence was deafening. For the first time in years, no backpacks by the door, no late-night check-ins… just me, a quiet house, and a haunting question: Who am I now?”
If you’ve ever stood in that doorway—caught between pride and grief—this episode is for you.
In Part 2 of our heartfelt conversation, Dr. Shannan Crawford sits down again with Crawford Clinics' beloved therapist Kristen Gatlin to explore the emotional journey of launching kids into adulthood and rediscovering your own identity along the way. Together, they unpack how to:

Find your purpose beyond parenting

Let go of control without losing connection

Transform your role from caretaker to trusted friend

Create new rhythms of closeness with your adult children

You are not alone in this transition—and this episode offers the hope, laughter, and practical tools you need to thrive in this beautiful new chapter.
🎧 watch now on Unlock U with Dr. Shannan Crawford—available on YouTube.
Want to discover your purpose and explore the next season of your life as a parent? Schedule a free consult with Kristen at www.CrawfordClinics.com/Contact

08/02/2025

Still Your Kid—Now Your Friend: Navigating the Shift from Parenting to Partnership. Learning to Laugh through the Launch!
What happens when your child grows up—but your relationship doesn’t? In this heartwarming and insightful episode, Kristen Gatlin, one of Crawford Clinics' beloved therapists joins Dr. Shannan Crawford to unpack the emotional shift that occurs when parenting moves from authority to camaraderie.
Together, they explore how to foster deep connection, mutual respect, and yes—humor—as your child steps into adulthood. Whether your son or daughter is in college, newly independent, or still navigating young adulthood, this conversation will equip you with tools to release control without losing closeness, invite authenticity without overstepping, and laugh your way through the awkward transitions.
Discover how to stay emotionally available, spiritually anchored, and relationally wise as you grow alongside your grown kids.
For help navigating your child's season of launching, text "Kristen" for a free parenting consult to 817-601-5540. And if you're experiencing "Empty Nest" Kristen would love to help you explore your next chapter in the great adventure of YOUR life!
CrawfordClinics.com

06/22/2025

Struggling with infertility can feel like an invisible grief—isolating, overwhelming, and filled with unanswered questions. In this powerful episode, Dr. Shannan Crawford sits down with renowned Clinical Psychologist and motherhood and fertility expert Dr. Grace Spencer to offer clarity, hope, and breakthrough insight for couples walking through the painful and often misunderstood journey of infertility.
Whether you're just starting to ask, Why can’t we get pregnant? or you've been navigating IVF, hormone therapy, or recurrent loss, this conversation is for you. Dr. Spencer unpacks the emotional, physical, and spiritual toll infertility takes on individuals and marriages—and how to rise stronger on the other side. You’ll discover new advancements in resilience, reproductive medicine, holistic approaches to healing, and the redemptive perspective that brings peace in the wait.
Key Takeaways:

The most common causes of infertility in women and men

How stress, trauma, and emotional health impact fertility

New breakthroughs in fertility treatments and natural options

How to support your partner and protect your relationship

Encouragement and faith-based hope for the journey

This episode is a must-listen for anyone facing infertility, those who support them, or leaders wanting to better understand how to minister to hurting hearts in the waiting.
Our Journey is your journey - we are in it together! this podcast is sponsored by the non profit WE FLOURISH TOGETHER! Infertility podcast, infertility help, infertility and faith, IVF journey, fertility doctor interview, reproductive health, hope during infertility, Christian perspective on infertility, infertility and trauma, Dr. Grace Spencer, Shannan Crawford podcast

05/17/2025

In this revealing episode of Unlock U with Dr. Shannan Crawford, we dive deep into the often‐hidden dynamics of narcissistic grooming—from a psychoanalytic lens—and uncover how early relationship templates can leave us especially vulnerable. You’ll learn how to spot the red flags, understand the unconscious roots, and put practical safeguards in place.
What Is Narcissistic Grooming?

Definition: A gradual process by which someone with narcissistic traits gains your trust, isolates you, and then exploits your emotions and boundaries for their own validation and control. Often including intense amounts of verbal praise "Idealizing you", in which they give you signifiant amounts of attention, time, gifts, acts of service, and praise that, many people have described as, "intoxicating." Some have described that "it almost felt like he adored me so much and so suddenly that it was overwhelming. It was so flattering that I ignored all red flags because the life he described we would have was exhilarating! He sent huge flower arrangements and flashy expensive gifts to me at work so my coworkers could see it. He messaged me multiple times a day with the most amazing complements and telling me everything I always wanted to hear. He came into my life, so strong and so fast... he literally came out of nowhere and now, boom, this amazing man is telling me he wants to marry me and take me around the world and I would never need to work again because he wants to spoil me! I was so enraptured that I didn't notice that his current life didn't match up to the fantasies he was creating in my mind of how our life would be..." Another woman says, "He convinced me that he loved me so much that he couldn't be without me... I didn't notice that he was starting to isolate me... I had to give up friends and family who did not fully "support" our relationship. I was so overwhelmed by the intensity of his attention and praise, that I started to subtly build my life around him... eventually I lost my other relationships... By the time he discarded me, I was COMPLETELY alone."

Can you resonate?

Psychoanalytic Perspective:

Splitting & Idealization/Devaluation: Narcissists first “idealize” you as perfect, then “devalue” you once they feel threatened.

Projective Identification: They project their own unacceptable feelings onto you, making you feel responsible for their emotions.

Object Relations Roots: Early caregivers who were inconsistent or overly enmeshed can leave you craving approval and slow to see manipulation.

Why Some of Us Are More Susceptible
Drawing on the Restoring‑Self‑Cohesion (RSC) model, Dr. Crawford explains how unconscious templates from childhood shape our adult relationships:

Caretaker Role: You learned to put others’ emotional needs first to feel safe or worthy.

People‑Pleaser Template: Seeking external validation became your primary way to soothe childhood anxieties.

Rescuer Script: You believe “fixing” others proves your value—making you an easy target for someone who preys on empathy.

Unconscious Sabotage Loops: Old patterns pull you back into dynamics where your boundaries blur and your self‑worth hinges on pleasing someone else.

Practical Safeguards to Protect Yourself

Strengthen Your Boundaries

Practice saying “no” and notice your discomfort.

Use “I” statements to express needs: “I feel… when you…”

Build an Early‑Warning System

Keep a journal of interactions that feel off—look for patterns of praise turning into blame.

Share concerns with a trusted friend or therapist to get an outside perspective.

Cultivate Healthy “Mirror” Relationships

Surround yourself with people who reflect empathy, consistency, and genuine care.

Schedule regular check‑ins with your support circle.

Deepen Self‑Awareness with RSC Tools

Identify your primary relationship template and notice when you slip into old roles.

Use grounding rituals (breathwork, journaling, somatic check‑ins) to stay connected to your own needs.

Build Community

Be honest with your friends and family. Try not to sugar coat the relationship. A healthy relationship can withstand reality testing. When you're early on in a relationship, you're infatuated which means you're literally not thinking clearly. So build healthy relationships with those who can see clearly and have permission to speak into your life!

Seek Professional Partnership

Consider one‑on‑one RSC coaching to map unconscious blocks and restore internal alignment.

Subscribe & Stay Connected

🎧 Subscribe to the Unlock U Podcast for future episodes

✉️ Join our RSC Community & Newsletter to access RSC groups and personal coaching

Free Confidential ConsultText “New” to 817‑601‑5540 for a confidential, free phone consultation with our team.

05/11/2025

This episode isn’t about blaming your mom—it’s about understanding yourself with compassion. 💛
In this powerful conversation, Dr. Shannan Crawford explores how our earliest experiences with our mothers help form the blueprint for how we love, trust, and connect today. Rather than adding to “mom guilt,” this episode honors the sacred role of mothers while unpacking the impact of unmet needs, misattunements, and emotional wounds many of us carry without realizing it.
With Crawford Clinics’ signature blend of clinical insight and spiritual depth, you’ll learn how your attachment style was formed—and how to gently heal it. Discover the transformative power of calling an “internal board meeting” to realign your inner world, rebuild a secure attachment from the inside out, and finally experience deeper, more connected relationships in every area of life.
You are worthy of safe, soul-nourishing love—and healing starts here.

05/04/2025

If you're a parent feeling overwhelmed by ADHD symptoms — whether in your child or even in yourself — this episode will give you real hope and practical strategies.
In today's conversation, Dr. Shannan Crawford sits down with Dr. Kelly Cagle, a researcher, educator, and ADHD coach who specializes in equipping moms and families with science-backed tools to navigate ADHD with confidence.
Together, they unpack what’s really going on beneath the surface of ADHD symptoms — from brain function to emotional regulation — and explore how an integrative medical approach can make all the difference.
At Crawford Clinics, we offer holistic counseling, coaching, and personalized integrative treatment plans to address the underlying brain and body issues that may be contributing to ADHD symptoms — helping you or your loved one thrive, not just survive.
✨ Learn more about Dr. Kelly Cagle's podcast, courses, and coaching:👉 https://dot.cards/drkellycagle?s=qrs&e=cXItMzRtdk53RHIxSQ
If you’re ready for support, we invite you to reach out to Crawford Clinics for personalized ADHD counseling, coaching, and integrative brain health care.
🌟 Schedule your consultation today at CrawfordClinics.com or simply text "ADHD" to 817-601-5540

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