Article Summaries
In Praise of Low Self-Esteem
03 June 2013
By Quinton Ellis
We need to clear something up about high self-esteem in our society. Many adults, and an even higher number of our kids, are actually suffering from a state of self-satisfaction that diminishes their ability and responsibility for self-improvement through reflection. We are led to believe that life is only properly ...
Back to School
10 August 2012
By Belinda Crosier, M.E., LPC
Once again, summer has flown & the schoolhouse doors will soon reopen. There is something innately liberating about summer less regimented schedules & more freedom to do as the mood moves us. For many parents, however, its a something of a comfort to have the structure of school once again impos...
Making Resolutions vs. Making Resolutions Happen
28 December 2012
By Belinda Crosier
Something about the dawning of a brand new year seems to stir in us that urge for new-ness in other areas of our lives as well; hence the birth of New Year's resolutions a new diet or exercise plan, a new-found ability to locate things once we clean out closet-- a new US in one sense or another. I doubt I'm unusua...
"He's Got a Lot of Potential"
03 June 2013
By: Quinton Ellis, M.S., LPC
I remember hearing that frequently when I was in elementary school and for some time after that. My parents, my teachers- they were all apparently very excited about all that I was capable of achieving- in the future. I remember finding it all incredibly satisfying as well as comforting at the time. Whateve...
He Said, She Said
30 May 2013
By Belinda Crosier, M.E., LPC
To expand on the previous article regarding the marital relationship, lets look further at the role of communication in satisfactory relationships. When embarking upon discussion of those topics fraught with potential for conflict or misunderstanding, we might do well to ask ourselves: Is my goal to joi...
Codependency: Caring Overtime
30 May 2013
By Belinda Crosier, M.E., LPC
Now that the holidays are over, the Christmas decorations are put away and our schedules are returning to a lesser frenzy, we're all basking in happy memories of the season, right? Maybe not for those of us who suffer from codependency those of us who automatically turn ourselves wrong-side out to accom...
3 Rs: Move over for the 3 Ds!
30 May 2013
By Belinda Crosier, M.E., LPC
In the face of impulsive or thoughtless behavior by a teenager, many parents find themselves succumbing to the 3 Rs: rant, rave & rescue. This refers to any lengthy combination of lecturing, castigating, threatening & forecasting of dire outcomes designed to get a kid to change behavior. (Transl...
Learning Disabilities
30 May 2013
By Belinda Crosier, M.E., LPC
Few things are as gratifying or comforting as knowing our child enjoys and is successful in school. It's a much different experience if ours is the child who is struggling to learn to read, write or process information, the one who seems bright and motivated, but for some reason just isn't performing to...
Who's This Alien That's Invaded My Child's Body????
28 May 2013
By: Belinda Crosier
If you're a parent, it will probably happen. One day you'll find your formerly adoring, sweet-tempered child has adopted strange, new behaviors and communicates by exasperated sighs, rolled eyes and an occasional whatEVER! As you try to figure out what happened or what you did to cause this--the fear gremlin quie...
When Food is the Enemy - Part 1
30 May 2013
By Belinda Crosier
As the holidays approach, most of us eagerly anticipate sharing tantalizing holiday foods with those near and dear to us. For the person with anorexia or bulimia, however, the holidays are synonymous with anxiety, requiring an inordinate amount of planning and ingenuity to avoid or purge the food that is so centra...
Depression Dims the Golden Years
29 August 2013
By Belinda Crosier, M.E., LPC
For a society as youth-oriented as ours, it might seem that depression and aging would be synonymous. However, contrary to what many professionals and lay people believe, depression should NOT be considered a normal part of aging. Just because old age is the latter stages of one's life does not mean it ...
The Era of Technology: The Case for Digital Dementia
15 January 2014
By Chad McCoy
Technology: The necessary evil; sometimes. It is almost impossible to go throughout your day without relying or using technology. Let me rephrase that: It is impossible. At least 10 times a day I find myself checking my fancy, spancy iPhone for one reason or another; unless I’m at work. I never check it at work, bos...
Country and Western Therapy - Part II
02 November 2013
By John Goetz, LPC
In a previous article I made reference to something I call country and western therapy. The central point is a person can find h...
Smoking Alcohol
17 October 2013
by Darcy McConnell, M.E.d, LPC, LADC
Working with so many young people there is little that surprises me about their drug and alcohol abuse. However, about two weeks ago I was taken back when a teenager told me about a party where she was introduced to smoking alcohol. Yes, I know it seems like a concept that doesn’t sound quite ri...Less is More When Dealing with Stress
13 November 2013
By Sheila Stinnett, LPC
I read an interesting blog the other day about the Voluntary Simplicity Movement. This site was filled with the positive testimonials of individuals and families who have made the conscious decision to break with the American dream of “keeping up with the Jones” and to begin the life changing process o...Affluenza
09 January 2014
By Quinton Ellis M.S.,L.P.C.
By the time these words come in contact with your eyes, you likely will have heard about “Affluenza”. For those who haven’t, and thereby still possess the portion of sanity now lost to the rest of us, allow me to ruin your day. Back in June a 16-year-old in Texas, fortified with stol...
Congratulations! Your Child's Mediocre!
26 November 2013
By Chad McCoy, Staff Therapist
Ever been stuck in traffic, the kind where every driver is an idiot and can be blamed for you being late? Well, I found myself in such a jam the other day.
As I scoured the sea of vanity license plates and various bumper stickers, I came across one that left me a bit dumbfounded. Right before m...
Parenting through Divorce
10 September 2014
By John Goetz, LPC
If you are a legal adult, a person who has attained the age of majority and is therefore regarded as independent, self-sufficient and responsible, you will immediately recognize my following statement to be true: life is hard.
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Z...
Contestant No. 18, Come on Down -The Price of Your Choices
20 July 2014
By John Goetz, LPC
Some of you immediately recognize the announcer’s call from the game show “The Price is Right”. This is a game show where lucky contestants are given an opportunity to win “fabulous gifts and prizes” based on the choices they make. The contestant might start by winning $200 and is then gi...I’ll go to the gym...
20 July 2014
Edmond Life and Leisure Article
By Chad McCoy, M.A.
So the other day I went to the gym. I walked in, they scanned my fob, and I set out to accomplish something that I’ve never accomplished before. With any great feat of strength there is much to prepare prior to hitting up the gym: I read articles and watched videos from prof...