Professional Counseling Associates-Bridging Life's Journey's

10/10/2022

Important things to remember when feeling anxious, depressed, overwhelmed, and lonely.

"Mental health isn't just a topic for people struggling."

05/09/2022

If you've never been to therapy, it can be easy to assume what it will look like. Many of these media representations of therapy, however, don't tell the whole story. The truths of mental health care can be very different.

03/31/2022

Do you get so upset sometimes when having a conversation with your partner or children that you can't think. You may be flooding. Follow these steps below to manage yourself.

For some, it's using a codeword like "avocado."
For others, it might be raising their hands.
It may be just saying, "I'm feeling overwhelmed and need a break."

All of these, as silly as they may sound, are a chance to stop stonewalling in its tracks. The antidote to stonewalling is to stop, drop, and soothe.

Before conflict even begins, agree on a neutral signal that will call a stop to the conversation. When that signal is invoked, drop the conversation for a few minutes to give everyone a chance to cool off. Then take that time to do something to soothe yourself before returning to the conversation.

What kind of a signal do you use with your partner when you need a break?

This post is not meant to address situations of abuse. Social media is not a substitute for individualized support.

03/28/2022

When someone says they’re thinking of divorcing, unless someone is very clear on their decision, there is an enormous opportunity to learn about oneselves and the marriage before making a permanent decision to end it. Discernment Counseling offers a robust, nuanced way to process the complex feelings and emotions tied to a marriage that is at the point where divorce is a serious possibility.

03/18/2022

Talking to kids about what they are seeing on the news can be difficult. This article from Common Sense Media helps you with guidelines by age.

Exposure to graphic images, distressing information, and horrific headlines can affect kids' overall well-being. Advice from Common Sense Media editors.

02/28/2022

The Gottman Institute has a number of resources available below to navigate these difficult times. We at Professional Counseling Associates are here to help you also.

Like all of you, those of us here at TGI are watching worldwide events unfold. It's a time of extreme uncertainty and stress for many, and emotions are running extraordinarily high. It's OK to feel many things at once, including uncertainty about what the future holds. We join those calling for peace in Ukraine.

For additional resources on communicating during times of stress, visit Conflict and connecting in crisis: https://bit.ly/3hu2pBj

For additional resources on talking with kids and families about world events, visit How to talk to children and teens about uncertainty: https://bit.ly/3tkjlzJ

For additional resources in finding a therapist or therapy, visit https://bit.ly/2YwlpsA

02/16/2022

“It takes two to tango” is a cliché but it’s really true. We have a lot of influence over how our spouse reacts to us, and through a discernment process, we can find a new way to view current problems in the relationship.

02/08/2022

Parents have to be smarter about teaching their children emotional intelligence, and John Gottman can show you how.

01/19/2022

The #1 reason not to plow ahead with regular couples therapy if someone is seriously considering divorce? You don’t have an agreement for the goals of the relational work. For example, if a leaning-in spouse has a goal of acting better while the leaning out spouse has a goal of waiting to see if things improve, the therapy is unbalanced and likely to falter.

01/17/2022

If this is you call Professional Counseling Associates for Discernment Counseling. This can be done by telehealth.

Upwards of 30% of couples who land in a couples therapy office are not aligned in their goal for the marriage, namely, whether to work on it or end it. Discernment Counseling works directly (and only) with these couples where one is vocally considering divorce and the other is actively working to repair the marriage. You can learn this approach online and at your own pace to support this type of crisis couple.

01/11/2022

If your marriage has gotten to the point where you are considering divorce, you owe it to yourself to get clarity and have confidence that this is the right decision. Discernment Counseling helps you and your partner get there. At PCA we have one of the only Discernment Counselors in South Dakota. Call us to find out more.

Nobody decides to get divorced in a purely logical state of mind. Discernment Counseling helps couples therapists support spouses in the often complex negative marital history and emotional tugs both partners may feel when one partner is thinking of ending the marriage.