Christian Family Solutions

02/03/2026

We see a couple of familiar faces! 👀
Our COO, Dr. Ashley Schoof, won one of the WELS Women’s Ministry raffle baskets at the recent WELS Lutheran Leadership Conference—pictured here with CFS board member (and member of the WELS Women's Ministry team) Naomi Schmidt.

Thanks to WELS Women’s Ministry for a fun giveaway and for encouraging women leaders to keep growing in faith!

02/02/2026

💙 This week, we’re saying thank you to our CFS school counselors and wellness specialists who show up every day to support student mental health and well-being.

Sponsored by the American School Counselor Association, National School Counseling Week is a time to recognize the essential role these professionals play in helping students navigate stress, emotions, relationships, and life challenges, often catching concerns early and walking alongside students when they need it most.

👏 Thank you to our school counselors and wellness specialists for the compassion, care, and steady presence you provide!

Learn more about our School-Based Counseling program:
👉 https://christianfamilysolutions.org/school-based-counseling/

01/29/2026

Big emotions can show up in many ways, like shutting down, snapping, or feeling completely overwhelmed. When that happens, it can feel like logic disappears and emotions take over.

In this article, Aaron Schaper (LPCC), a therapist in our Online Day Treatment for Teens program, explains what’s happening in our brains when we “flip our lid” and why grounding techniques can help us respond more intentionally in the moment.

He also shares two simple, practical grounding tools both adults and kids can try.

Learn why we “flip our lid” during emotional overwhelm and how grounding techniques can help calm your mind, regain control, and find peace.

01/27/2026

We love this reminder: mental health isn’t just for “some people.” It’s part of being human, and we're all going to struggle at some point living in this broken world.

If you or someone you love needs support, help is available:
📞 Call us at 800-438-1772 or schedule an appointment online
👉 https://pp-wfe-102.advancedmd.com/160029/onlineintake

Helpful resources on supporting mental health:
• Understanding Anxiety:
https://christianfamilysolutions.org/2025/11/19/understanding-anxiety/

• Helping Hurting Hearts & Minds:
https://christianfamilysolutions.org/2025/05/09/helping-hurting-hearts-and-minds-mental-health/

And for those who want to go deeper, our online anxiety course includes a full lesson on how to support others:
👉 https://cfslearning.org/courses/anxiety-depression-course/

01/26/2026

We loved spending time with Good Shepherd Lutheran in West Bend! Our counselor Jes Woller presented on Conflict and Forgiveness, helping participants grow as true peace-makers.

Our counselors are available to present to parents, students and youth groups, churches, and other organizations on a wide range of mental health topics—from anxiety and parenting to relationships, resilience, and more.

Learn more about our educational programs here:
https://christianfamilysolutions.org/helpful-resources/educational-presentations/

01/22/2026

What a great few days at the WELS National Conference on Lutheran Leadership in Chicago! We loved connecting with so many pastors, educators, and ministry leaders. The conversations were thoughtful, honest, and encouraging, and a good reminder that this work matters.

We left refreshed and grateful for the gospel-centered work happening across the WELS. We’re thankful for partnerships that strengthen ministry!

01/15/2026

Want to help a friend or loved one who’s struggling with depression?

Here are a few key reminders from our Anxiety and Depression Course:

✔ Be present — you don’t have to fix it, just show up.
✔ Validate their struggle — let them know it’s real and that you care.
✔ Set healthy boundaries — you can’t carry all their weight, and that’s okay.
✔ Keep pointing them to Jesus — He understands and walks with them through it.

💛 We can do our part to love and serve, but God is the Savior!

Enroll in our free online Anxiety & Depression video course to learn more: https://cfslearning.org/courses/anxiety-depression-course/

01/14/2026

We’re heading to Chicago next week!

We'll be at the WELS National Conference on Lutheran Leadership (Jan. 19–21). If you’re attending, we’d love to connect and talk about how we can work together to bring our mental health ministry to more individuals, families, schools, and congregations.

Hope to see you there!

01/13/2026

Homework meltdowns. Angry tears. “This is too hard!”

If you’re parenting a frustrated child, you’re not failing. You’re facing a normal (and exhausting) part of raising kids. The question isn’t if frustration will happen, but how we respond when it does.

In this article, we share practical guidance to help parents:
• Resist the urge to fix everything immediately
• Model calm when emotions run high
• Recognize frustration triggers
• Listen well instead of lecturing
• Teach coping skills that actually stick

Each challenging moment is also an opportunity to build resilience, strengthen problem-solving skills, and show God’s love through patience and grace.

📖 “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.” (James 1:19)

Read the full article here:
👉 https://christianfamilysolutions.org/2025/12/22/helping-children-handle-frustration/

You’re shaping more than behavior. You’re shaping hearts for years to come!

Struggling with a frustrated child? Discover practical, faith-based strategies to help your child build resilience and emotional regulation.

01/09/2026

Fear has a way of getting loud. God’s presence is steadier and stronger.

01/08/2026

A new year doesn’t magically fix what you’ve been carrying, but it can be a wise time to get support.

At CFS, we offer evidence-based Christian counseling, helping individuals and families work toward a healthier mind, body, and spirit. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, grieving, stuck, or simply ready for change, you don’t have to navigate it alone.

We provide in-person and online counseling for concerns including:
• Anxiety and depression
• Stress and life transitions
• Marriage, parenting, and family challenges
• Grief and loss
• Addictions and underlying mental health issues
• Trauma and abuse

Learn more about our counseling services:
👉 https://christianfamilysolutions.org/counseling/

Ready to schedule an appointment?
👉 https://pp-wfe-102.advancedmd.com/160029/onlineintake

01/06/2026

“Our neurodivergent kids are not distractions from the presence of God. They are invitations to see Him in a different way.”

We love this Forward in Christ magazine article that introduces us to Shifty, an 11-year-old with ADHD and autism who doesn’t just attend church… she inhabits it. With movement, joy, noise-canceling headphones, and a whole lot of heart.

Worship (like other activities) doesn’t look the same for everyone and that’s okay. God’s design includes different brains, different bodies, and different ways of showing up.

Read the full article here:
👉

Meet Shifty, an autistic 11-year-old with ADHD who doesn’t just attend worship but lives it. They say children are a blessing from the Lord. I believe that with my whole heart. But sometimes your blessing is breakdancing in front of the baptismal font during the children’s anthem, twirling like