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Life Changes Q&As

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How to Find a Christian Counselor: Spiritual, Professional, and Practical Considerations

How do I find a good Christian counselor?

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How to Develop a Resilient Mindset

Resilience isn’t merely surviving. And it’s not about denying the depth of pain and its ongoing impact. Instead, it’s about learning from and growing through adversity — about becoming comfortable with being uncomfortable.

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The Negative Consequences of Sexualization: One Woman’s Story and What You Can Learn From It

Licensed professional counselor Rob Jackson interviewed a woman who is recovering from addiction to pornography.

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Help for Women Addicted to Sex: 7 Key Topics

Do you have information and help for women who struggle with sex addiction? 

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Schizophrenia: An Overview

What are the symptoms of schizophrenia? My teenage daughter’s behavior has become strangely erratic. I’m scared because schizophrenia runs in my family. Is it possible I’m doing something to make the situation worse?

young man holding hands over face

Anxiety Disorders: An Overview

I’m a worrier, and the problem is getting worse. I’ve heard people talk about “anxiety disorders,” but I don’t know what that means. How can I tell if my worry is normal or if I have an anxiety disorder? And what should I do?

man by water holding his head looking depressed

Depression: An Overview

What does depression look like? My husband has been unusually withdrawn and seems emotionally “low.” His sadness has become a regular part of life in our household, and I’m concerned. What can I do?

young man looking depressed

Bipolar Disorder: An Overview

What is bipolar disorder?

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Narcissism: Personality Patterns and Concerns

What exactly is a narcissist? I’ve always assumed this is just a popular way of describing an extremely egotistical person. But lately I’ve heard the word used as a technical term – as if someone could actually be diagnosed with narcissism. My spouse is very self-centered, and his behavior has hurt our relationship in many …

man holding can of beer

Alcoholic Seeking Help

Do you have any assistance to offer to someone who seriously wants to stop drinking? Where do I find the professional help I need? I’m desperate to overcome my problem with alcohol, but hard experience has convinced me that I can’t beat this addiction on my own. Now my wife is threatening to take our …

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Caring for an Aging Loved One from a Distance

How can I love and care for my elderly mother when we live on opposite sides of the country? My dad died several years ago, and my mom has been in decline ever since. Fortunately, two of my siblings still live within twenty minutes of her home, so I don’t worry about her needs being …

Parents with pair of empty shoes between them

Dealing With the Pain of Miscarriage

Is it normal to experience deep grief after the unexpected termination of a pregnancy? I recently lost my first child through miscarriage, and my husband and I are surprised at how devastating this experience has been for us. Is this typical?

pot leaves with scrabble tiles that say medicine and question marks

Facts About and Perspectives on Medical Marijuana

What are your thoughts on the merits of medical marijuana? Do you think it should be legalized? My newspaper has run a series of stories recently about its supposed benefits. I really don’t know what to think. Can you help me sort this out?

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How to Help a Victim of Sexual Assault

How can I help a friend who was recently raped? So far, I’m the only person she’s told. She’s paralyzed with feelings of shame and guilt. She’s also afraid that she’ll only make a bad situation worse if she reports the incident or goes to the police. What should I do?

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Reasons to Set Financial Goals

Why is it important to identify specific financial objectives? How does this fit in with what Jesus said about letting tomorrow “worry about itself” (Matthew 6:34)? If I make plans and set monetary goals of my own, doesn’t this rule out the necessity of trusting God on a day-by-day basis?

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Tithing and Giving While in Debt

Should we keep tithing to our church while trying to pay off debts? My husband and I are on a tight budget and trying our best to pay off a large backlog of debt that has been building over the past several years. Would it be better to put our giving on hold until we’ve …

woman with bowed head drinking beer

Am I an alcoholic?

Can you help me understand whether I have a serious problem with alcohol? Here’s my situation. I’m a hassled and harried mother of three young children. After school, I pick up my kids and go to the market, where I have to rush to grab a few things and get out of the store before …

grandmother and teen looking at trees

Caring for Children and Elderly Parents Simultaneously

Should we be considering the possibility of taking my aging mother into our home while we’re still in the process of raising three kids? We have two teens and a middle-schooler. We don’t really like the idea of placing my mom in a nursing home, but we also don’t want to alter family dynamics too …

man in living on couch looking at photo

Dealing With the Practical Aspects of a Spouse’s Death

Can you help me cope with the practical, day-to-day aspects of my spouse’s death? I’m already seeing a therapist, and close friends are helping me work through the grief. Where I really need some guidance is in the area of business details, daily responsibilities, house repairs, car maintenance, paying bills – that sort of thing. …

teen girl hand holding Bible

Faith and Suicide Among Teens and Young Adults

Are non-believers more likely than believers to commit suicide? I’m asking because our son walked away from his faith soon after starting college. Lately he has become increasingly moody and withdrawn. Is he at risk for suicide? What’s the relationship between a young person’s faith or worldview and his outlook on life?