Lauren McClain Counseling

Anger gets a bad rap. Anger is a secondary emotion and is often used to protect more vulnerable feelings beneath like hurt, sadness or loneliness. Sometimes anger can be righteous. Before reacting out of anger, reflect and pray to see what other emotions come up. And if you’re mad at God, pray that too. He can handle it.

A new adventure begins in Alabama! Now accepting clients in Opelika and virtually throughout AL. Virtual appointments available for Texans too as I am now dually licensed! I primarily work with teens, women and couples and integrate faith upon request. There is always hope for your story. www.laurenmcclaincounseling.com

Often times the things that are hardest for us or the things we dislike most about ourselves are the things others respect most. Our culture tends to shame weakness but we are all weak in some ways. We can find solidarity in our weaknesses. We can find connection in our needs. 🤍

⚒️ TUESDAY’S TOOL ⚒️ I have been very impressed with this podcast! It primarily addresses high-conflict couples, emotional abuse and spouses with personality disorders, especially narcissism.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mad-in-love/id1618828831

Tuesdays Tool ⚒️

Created for Connection is a deeper dive into understanding the patterns that exist in marriage, how they develop and tips to change them. It is very enlightening and could be a good first step before counseling or a helpful companion during marriage therapy.

See story for link!

“Don’t say no if you mean yes.” These words were spoken by my previous boss/pastor. It really got me thinking if I mean what I say or if I was trying to be nice like we Texans do. I felt bad accepting help, like I was imposing.

But I am a helper. I enjoy helping others. I had to learn to allow others to feel this same joy ultimately by allowing them to help me sometimes. Don’t rob someone of the joy of helping you. Say yes to help.

💫 New year, new website! 💫 Click link in bio to check it out!

When we understand that change is a process, then we'll begin to see failure as a necessary part of the path and not as a dead end. We'll be able to take each setback in stride and continue to move forward.

From a good friend and therapist

For some kids, standing up for themselves can be intimidating or they may fear hurting someone’s feelings. Teaching children to stand up for themselves and to be assertive can be very beneficial and healthy! It takes practice but parents can help with these tips!

Y’all I can’t get this link out fast enough! https://www.jenwilkin.net/audio (Scroll down to the parenting class).

just posted this recently and I have only listened to the first one (but have done many of her studies before) and I cannot wait to hear the rest. She provides such a solid framework to filter our parenting through. No matter the age of your kids, it’s a great resource!

If you’re feeling pressure to make your kids happy, be a good enough parent or do all the things, take a listen and find peace in pursuing the purpose of parenting.

Recently I have been listening to on his podcast about ✝️&🧠. I cannot recommend it enough!

Yesterday’s take away:
“What we pay attention to we remember. What we remember we anticipate.”

That explains a lot of my anxiety around social media. What does it put in perspective for you?

I just did this recently so I can vouch for the results!

https://www.hmpgloballearningnetwork.com/site/pcn/news/week-long-break-social-media-provides-mental-health-boost

Week-Long Break From Social Media Provides Mental Health Boost Asking people to take a week-long break from social media significantly improved well-being, depression, and anxiety, according to results from a randomized clinical trial.

Wisdom.

There is a lot we can do as adults to help us regulate ourselves, but we are the primary way children learn how to handle emotions.

Accepting the reality of pain in life is difficult for adults much less children. It is not an easy lesson to teach but it is a worthwhile one. Helping your children to cope is helping to protect them.

Lauren McClain Counseling updated their website address.

Too good not to share! I am a therapist with a four year old and I like the Backstreet Boys. 😂

Do the work for the next generation! It’s never too late for counseling. Healing can come at any age and stage of life.

This is a great tool to use to do a marriage check up! Just in time for those New Year’s resolutions!

Just as a house needs sturdy walls and a roof that doesn’t leak, partners who seek happy, secure relationships must commit to building a strong foundation together. The Sound Relationship House theory provides the blueprint for a healthy, lifelong partnership.

This foundational theory, developed by Drs. John and Julie Gottman, features nine components of a healthy relationship represented as levels of a house. Partners build upon each level to create a sturdy bond. For more than 20 years, it’s given countless couples the tools they need to develop happy, healthy relationships.

Sign up for the Love Notes Newsletter to download your free December resource to learn about the levels of The Sound Relationship House and how you can apply each concept for a happy, lifelong partnership: https://bit.ly/30JWG2H

NOTE: Current Love Notes subscribers will automatically receive our free monthly download. Check your inbox and enjoy!

And yet the sun rises.

Control is an illusion. The illusion builds our ego at the time. While we may be able to manage things well for a while something will eventually be out of our control.

Money, time, health, work, children . . . Sometimes it’s multiple things at once that we feel out of control of.

This loss of a sense of control is a humbling reminder. But it is also a relief. It is a burden we do not have to bear.

The sunrise has always been a reminder to me that I am not in control. I did not create it. I do not control it. I have no influence over when it rises and when it sets.

I do have other responsibilities though. I will work hard and try to be faithful. I will try to manage them well and remind myself that I am not in control. Despite my lack of control, there is order, beauty and consistency.

And the sun will rise again.

Great article!

Digital Addictions Are Drowning Us in Dopamine

Do you just keep going but with little joy? You might be an endurer.

Are you optimistic but struggle with consistency? You might be an encourager.

If you find yourself with little hope, explore what might be missing - endurance or encouragement. Spend time with a friend, family member, counselor or someone that complements you in these areas to help restore your hope. 🤍

Where we are going says a lot about where we are.

Our spirituality is not separate from other parts of our lives. Not emotions. Not thoughts. Not finances. Not our bodies. But rather spirituality infiltrates and shapes all parts of our lives. All of these parts make up our whole person. And God cares for our whole person.

Controlling v. Managing - What’s the difference? 🤷‍♀️

Controlling:
-involves a dependence on the object/person being “controlled”
-usually fear-based
-focused on immediacy

Managing:
-allows for autonomy from the person being managed
-requires security from manager and builds a sense of security in others
-allows for ups and downs by taking a long-term approach

Which one are you today?

Our spring group is starting Feb 2! Moms of babies up to 12 mos are welcome. The group is not limited to first time moms, but open to any new moms in need of support and insight in becoming a "good enough" mom. Rest in knowing that "good enough" is beneficial for you and your child!

A lovely group of ladies will be meeting in one week as we share stories and create connection around our motherhood journeys. Come join us as we explore together the meaning of being “good enough” mamas. 💞 Like if you’re a mama and share if you could have used this as a new mom.

Mamas, are you struggling? Could you use some support from other moms in a similar spot? Do you need some insight from a professional with older babies? Join us for this group as we discover what it means to be a “good enough” mom. Like and share to spread the word. DM me for more info.