Thrive Christian Counseling

02/23/2026

You were never meant to carry it all alone.

What a sweet reminder in Scripture that true rest is found in coming to Jesus, surrendering our burdens, and receiving His gentle, light yoke.

02/16/2026

Your child is not ignoring you.
They are overwhelmed.

When children are angry, shouting, refusing or throwing things, it is easy to move straight to consequences. But when emotions take over, the thinking part of the brain switches off. In that moment, lectures do not teach. Shouting does not calm. Punishment alone does not build skills.

Children need help to regulate before they can reflect.

Connection does not mean giving in. It means staying steady. Naming the feeling. Showing your child that you see what is going on inside them. Once their body settles, they are far more able to listen, understand boundaries and take responsibility for their behaviour.

Clear limits still matter. Consequences still matter. But connection makes them work.

If we want children and teenagers to manage big emotions, build self control and develop respect, we need to model calm first.

Regulation before reasoning.
Connection before correction.

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02/13/2026

When progress feels slow, remember this: healing takes time - and God is never in a hurry. Trust that God is working beneath the surface, in ways you may not see yet. ⏰

02/10/2026

02/02/2026

01/30/2026

01/26/2026

As this week winds down, take a moment to do something that supports your mental wellness.

01/19/2026

01/15/2026

Free *WHEN ANGER TAKES OVER ICEBERG: POSTER & WORKSHEETS FOR CHILDREN*
Comment "ICEBERG" and we will send you a message with a link to a free PDF of this resource.

Anger in children is often the part adults notice most, but it is rarely the real problem.

Shouting, hitting, slamming doors, or saying hurtful things are usually signs that something underneath feels too hard. Many children act out when they feel overwhelmed, worried, unsafe, unheard, embarrassed, or exhausted from trying to cope. Anger is often a signal, not bad behaviour.

When children are labelled as aggressive or difficult, the feelings driving that behaviour are easily missed. This can leave children feeling more misunderstood and less able to regulate their emotions. What helps most is not punishment, but curiosity, safety, and support.

Children need help to understand what their anger is trying to tell them. They need adults who can stay calm, name feelings, set clear boundaries, and teach safe ways to manage big emotions. With the right support, children can learn to recognise early signs of anger, ask for help, and use calming strategies before things escalate.

Anger does not mean something is wrong with a child. It usually means something is too much right now.

01/12/2026

Help us welcome our newest intern MaryKathryn Nuthman. MK will begin seeing clients today. She has a passion for working with children, adolescents and young adults. Contact her on our website or at 405-468-9164 to get scheduled.

MaryKathryn is a counselor in Oklahoma City. She specializes in working with children, adolescents, and young adults. She integrates professional mental health counseling with a christian worldview.

01/08/2026

Sometimes the hardest part of supporting a child is when things get worse just as adults are trying to do things differently.

A new response, a calmer boundary, or a change in routine can lead to bigger reactions, more pushback, or old behaviours showing up again. This is not a sign that something has gone wrong. It often means the child is unsettled by change and is checking what is going to happen next.

Children feel safest when adults are predictable. When that predictability shifts, even for good reasons, emotions can rise before they settle. Progress can look messy. There can be good days followed by harder ones. This is part of adjustment, not failure.

What helps most is staying steady. Keeping boundaries clear. Using fewer words when emotions are high. Letting change settle instead of rushing it. Looking at progress over time, not in one difficult moment.

This stage is exhausting for parents and carers, but it is often where real change begins.

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