Christian Family Counseling Center

07/04/2025

🇺🇸 4th of July 🇺🇸

Today, as fireworks light up the sky and families gather in celebration, we pause to reflect on the complexity of what this day means.

We are grateful for the freedoms and opportunities that exist in this country…the ability to speak, to gather, to dream, and to strive. But we also acknowledge the deep pain and injustice that still run through the American story.

The words “liberty and justice for all” are powerful. And yet, for many, they remain an unfulfilled promise. From racial inequities and economic injustice to ongoing challenges in access to healthcare, mental health services, and basic human rights there is still much to lament.

We hold space today for both gratitude and grief.
We honor the resilience of those who are fighting for a more just and compassionate nation.
We see you. We support you. And we walk alongside you in the work of healing and hope.

This 4th of July, may we celebrate not only what is, but also commit ourselves to what could be.

06/19/2025

🖤 Honoring Juneteenth 🖤

Today, we recognize Juneteenth!

A day that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States and celebrates Black freedom, resilience, hope and joy.

As mental health professionals, we know that healing from generational trauma is ongoing work. Juneteenth is not only a moment to remember history, but also to affirm the importance of mental wellness, community care, and cultural strength within the Black community.

Let’s continue to honor Black voices, advocate for equity, and create safe, affirming spaces where healing and liberation can flourish.

Black lives matter. Black mental health matters. Black joy matters.

06/15/2025

🌟 Happy Father’s Day 🌟

Today, we honor the strength, love, and presence of fathers in all their forms; biological dads, stepdads, adoptive dads, grandfathers, father figures, and those who hold space as protectors and providers of emotional safety.

To the dads who show up with patience, humor, vulnerability, and love - you are seen, appreciated, and deeply valued.

And to those for whom this day brings complicated feelings whether due to loss, absence, strained relationships, or unmet expectations know that your emotions are valid and you are not alone.

Today is a reminder that fatherhood isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence, growth, and the courage to love fully.

💙 Sending compassion and gratitude to all who carry the heart of a father. 💙

06/08/2025

🧠 Quick Mental Health Check-In! 🧠
Which of these self-care habits has helped you the most lately?

👍 Getting enough sleep

🧘‍♀️ Taking time to breathe, pray or meditate

📖 Journaling or reflecting

🚶‍♂️ Moving your body (walks, workouts, stretching)

👥 Talking to someone you trust

❓Other (tell us in the comments!)

Comment 👇🏽 👇🏽

05/30/2025

Caring for Your Mental Health Is Not Just a Good Thing—It’s a God Thing

Somewhere along the way, many of us were taught that caring for our mental health was selfish, weak, or even unspiritual. But nothing could be further from the truth. Taking care of your mental and emotional well-being isn’t just wise…it’s Holy.

God created us as whole beings, body, mind, and spirit. And just as we care for our physical health by eating well and exercising, we’re called to tend to our minds and hearts with the same diligence. Jesus Himself often withdrew from the crowds to rest and pray. He recognized the importance of quiet, solitude, and spiritual restoration. That’s not laziness, that’s divine wisdom.

The Bible reminds us in Romans 12:2 to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” That kind of renewal doesn’t happen by accident. It takes intention. It takes courage. And sometimes, it takes asking for help, whether from a therapist, a pastor, a trusted friend, or all of the above.

Seeking therapy, setting boundaries, taking a Sabbath, or simply admitting that you’re not okay…these are not signs of weakness. They’re acts of faith. They declare that you believe God cares about every part of you. Because He does.

So today, let go of the guilt. Embrace the truth:
Caring for your mental health isn’t just a good thing—it’s a God thing.

You are worthy of rest.
You are worthy of healing.
You are worthy of peace.

Because you are deeply loved by the One who made you whole.

05/21/2025

🌿 May is Mental Health Awareness Month 🌿

At Christian Family Counseling, we believe that caring for your mental health is not only essential… it’s part of God’s design for holistic well-being.

Throughout Scripture, we are reminded of the importance of the mind and spirit:

🕊 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind…” Romans 12:2

Mental Health Awareness Month is a time to break the stigma, encourage open conversations, and remind one another that it’s okay to not be okay. Struggles like anxiety, depression, trauma, and grief are real—and they don’t make you weak. They make you human.

Here’s how we can honor this month together:

✅ Educate Yourself and Others: Learn about common mental health challenges and how they affect people of all ages.
✅ Reach Out: Check in with loved ones. A simple “How are you really doing?” can go a long way.
✅ Seek Support: Seeking counseling is a courageous step toward healing.
✅ Practice Grace: Both for yourself and others. Mental health journeys look different for everyone.

💚 Your mind matters. Your story matters. You are not alone.

If you or someone you love is struggling, our team is here to walk with you. Offering compassionate support rooted in hope and healing.

📞 Reach out today to learn more about our services.

05/15/2025

The words you speak to yourself carry incredible power. Every thought you nurture and every phrase you repeat shapes how your brain wires itself over time. When you choose to speak to yourself with kindness, encouragement, and hope—even when it feels unnatural at first—you begin to shift your internal narrative.

It’s not just wishful thinking; it’s the beginning of transformation. Telling yourself, “I’m doing my best,” or “I am worthy of peace,” creates new pathways in your brain—ones that support healing, resilience, and growth. This practice doesn’t erase hard emotions, but it helps you hold them with more grace and self-compassion.

Start small. Notice your inner dialogue. Gently challenge the critical voices and replace them with words that empower rather than diminish you. Over time, those compassionate messages become your truth.

You deserve to speak to yourself like someone you deeply love. Because you are that someone.

05/05/2025

Your brain is incredibly powerful! While we can’t always stop difficult or painful experiences from happening, we can heal from them. The brain is not fixed or broken by trauma—it is adaptive. This means even after hardship, heartbreak, or harm, your brain has the ability to rewire itself.

Every time you choose to slow down, breathe deeply, speak kindly to yourself, or reach out for support, you are creating new neural pathways—ones rooted in safety, connection, and resilience. The past may have shaped you, but it does not define you. Healing is not about erasing pain; it’s about learning how to live alongside it with strength, compassion, and awareness.

You are not broken. You are becoming. And your brain is walking with you every step of the way.

04/30/2025

When the night feels long and it’s hard to have hope for tomorrow, cling to this reminder…

It is understandable that you feel this way right now. When you're in so much pain, it's hard not to believe that it will last forever. That fear you're feeling is so powerful because your mind is trying to make sense of the pain, but it's important to remember: just because the mind tells a story doesn't mean it's the full truth.

Especially when you're in a vulnerable place, it's easy for fear and emotional pain to cloud what's actually real.

Always remember this, no feeling, no matter how overwhelming, is permanent. Emotion rise, peak, and eventually soften. Right now + you're standing in the thick of a very heavy season — and when you're in the middle of it, it can feel endless.

But like all seasons, this one will pass. It may not feel like it yet, but change is already happening, each day that you are in it, even if it's still too small to feel or see.

✨

04/29/2025

The words you use with yourself aren’t just thoughts—they’re signals your brain takes seriously. When you speak to yourself with kindness, encouragement, and compassion, your brain responds by reducing stress, boosting mood-regulating chemicals like dopamine and serotonin, and reinforcing a sense of safety and motivation. This positive self-talk can literally rewire your brain through a process called neuroplasticity, making it easier to handle challenges and build resilience over time.

On the other hand, harsh, critical self-talk can trigger the brain’s stress response, increasing cortisol levels and reinforcing negative thinking patterns. Over time, this can make anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem feel more overwhelming and harder to break through.

You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to start noticing. Notice when you’re being hard on yourself. Gently shift your tone. Speak to yourself the way you’d speak to someone you love. Your brain is always listening—and it learns from your voice.

04/24/2025

What do you do to boost your mental health?? Share below 👇🏽

04/22/2025

Check out this local VA Spousal Support Group!

🫶 Calling all military and veteran spouses! 🫶
Join us for our Spousal Support Group — a safe, welcoming space to connect, share, and find strength together.

🗓️ Sunday, April 27th, 2025
🕚 11:00 AM
📍 Guardian Concepts Training Center
1292 W Station St, Kankakee, IL 60901

Led by Project Headspace and Timing, this group provides encouragement, resources, and real conversations about navigating life alongside those who have served.

✨ Come find your community.
📩 Questions? Reach out to Ashley at: ashleyp@projectheadspaceandtiming.org