Pennell Counseling Center

09/03/2025

Tonight at Broadmoor Baptist!

09/02/2025

Tonight at Broadmoor Baptist Church!

08/28/2025

🛑 Generational Trauma Doesn’t Have to Define You…

Maybe you grew up in a family where pain, silence, or broken patterns were passed down.

Abuse, addiction, neglect, shame, or unhealthy relationships can feel like “the norm.”

But here’s the truth:

💡 What you don’t heal, you’re likely to repeat.

But the cycle can stop with you. 🙌🏻

🧠 Generational trauma changes the way families think, feel, and relate. But with awareness, support, and healing—you can create new, healthy patterns for yourself and your children.

📖 “You were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors… with the precious blood of Christ.” – 1 Peter 1:18–19

✨ You are not doomed to repeat the past.

✨ You have the power to heal, choose differently, and protect future generations.

✨ Jesus redeems broken stories and writes new endings.

08/27/2025

08/24/2025

At Broadmoor Baptist Church

08/21/2025

💭 Understanding PTSD: It’s More Than Just Memories

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) happens when the nervous system gets “stuck” in survival mode after trauma.

Instead of feeling safe when the danger is over, the body and brain keep reacting as if the threat is still there.

Common PTSD symptoms include:

⚡ Flashbacks or nightmares

⚡ Feeling on edge or easily startled

⚡ Avoiding people, places, or reminders of the trauma

⚡ Trouble sleeping or concentrating

⚡ Numbness, shame, or guilt

PTSD is not a sign of weakness—it’s the body’s natural survival system working overtime.

With therapy, support, and healthy coping tools, the nervous system can learn to feel safe again.

✅ Evidence-Based Therapies for PTSD:

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing) – helps the brain reprocess traumatic memories.

Trauma-Focused CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) – changes unhelpful thought patterns tied to trauma.

Somatic & Body-Based Therapies – regulate the nervous system and release trauma stored in the body.

Prolonged Exposure Therapy – reduces fear by safely facing trauma reminders in a controlled way.

Group Therapy & Supportive Counseling – reduces isolation and increases connection.

📖 “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” – Psalm 34:18

🕊️ Healing is possible. You don’t have to face your trauma alone. Call our office today to schedule an appointment. 318-868-6554

08/15/2025

Prayer is powerful. 🙏🏻

But so is therapy, rest, healthy community, and asking for help.

Jesus himself withdrew to quiet places (Luke 5:16), showing us the importance of caring for our inner world.

🧠 When we ignore our mental health, stress, trauma, and anxiety can cloud our ability to hear God’s truth. But when we prioritize it, we make space for His peace to settle in our hearts.

💬 Today’s reminder: Caring for your mind isn’t selfish—it’s stewardship.

📖 “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” – Isaiah 26:3

08/13/2025

Join us tonight at Broadmoor Baptist Church!

08/07/2025

Setting Boundaries Isn’t Selfish—It’s Stewardship

As a Christian and counselor, I often hear people say they feel guilty for setting boundaries.

But here’s the truth:

Boundaries are how we love others without losing ourselves.

💬 Healthy boundaries say:

“I can care about you without carrying everything for you.”
“I can say no and still be kind.”
“My time, energy, and mental health matter too.”
“I’m responsible to you, not for you.”

📖 Even Jesus set boundaries:

• He walked away from crowds to rest. (Luke 5:16)
• He had an inner circle. (Luke 9:28)
• He spoke truth even when it offended. (Matthew 23)

⚠️ Boundaries aren’t walls to push people out; they’re gates to protect what God is growing within you.

👉 This week, reflect:

Where do you need clearer boundaries in your life—emotionally, spiritually, or relationally?

Boundaries are not about controlling others—they’re about honoring what God has entrusted to you: your heart, your mind, your time, and your peace.

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” – Proverbs 4:23

07/29/2025

🌿 Let Go of Perfect

Perfectionism says:

“I have to get it all right to be worthy.”
“I can’t mess up or they’ll be disappointed.”
“I won’t rest until it’s flawless.”

But here’s the truth—

💛 God never requires you to be perfect. 🙌🏻

Healing, growth, and connection happen in the real, not the perfect.

✨ Perfectionism often comes from fear—fear of failure, rejection, or not being enough.

But it can rob us of peace, joy, and grace.

🧠 Counseling truth:

Perfectionism is a form of self-protection.

It often grows out of childhood environments where love felt conditional or mistakes weren’t safe.

It tells you: “If I’m perfect, I’ll be safe.”

But the Gospel says: “You’re already loved. You’re already safe in Christ.”

📖 “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9

🤍 You don’t need to perform for God.
🤍 You don’t have to earn your worth.
🤍 You’re allowed to be human—and still deeply loved.

This week’s reminder:

Progress > perfection.
Grace > performance.
Presence > pressure.

07/24/2025

🚩 Red Flags in Unhealthy Relationships

Just because something feels familiar doesn’t mean it’s healthy.

Here are some warning signs to pay attention to:

🔴 Constant control or manipulation

🔴 Walking on eggshells to avoid conflict

🔴 Shaming or guilt-tripping instead of communicating

🔴 Isolating you from friends, family, or support

🔴 Blaming you for their emotions or actions

🔴 Lack of accountability or responsibility

🔴 Breaking your boundaries and then blaming you

🔴 Spiritual abuse (using Scripture or faith to manipulate)

Healthy love is safe, respectful, and mutual.

🕊️ “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud… it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” – 1 Corinthians 13:4–5

Sometimes we can become “blinded” in unhealthy relationships which is why it’s great to get wise counsel when something doesn’t feel right.

Call today to schedule an appointment with one of our therapists. (318) 868-6554

07/17/2025

You’re Allowed to Rest

When you’re mentally or emotionally exhausted, it’s easy to feel like you’re failing. But rest isn’t weakness—it’s wisdom.

Even Jesus rested. Even He stepped away from the crowds to be alone with the Father.

If you’re tired today…

✨ You’re not lazy.
✨ You’re not broken.
✨ You’re not doing something wrong.

You’re human. And God designed you to need rest.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28

🕊️ This is your permission:

To breathe.
To unplug.
To say no.
To be still.

You don’t have to earn your rest. ❤️

You just have to receive it from the only One who gives true rest.