Christian Therapy

West Linn Award Program Honors the Achievement

WEST LINN April 5, 2020 — Counseling by Julia Speer has been selected for the 2020 Best of West Linn Award in the Counselor category by the West Linn Award Program.

Each year, the West Linn Award Program identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and our community. These exceptional companies help make the West Linn area a great place to live, work and play.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2020 West Linn Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the West Linn Award Program and data provided by third parties.

About West Linn Award Program

The West Linn Award Program is an annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of local businesses throughout the West Linn area. Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value.

The West Linn Award Program was established to recognize the best of local businesses in our community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to recognize the small business community’s contributions to the U.S. economy.

SOURCE: West Linn Award Program

After 30 years in this field, I have to say this article sums it up pretty nicely. Listening to people and helping them navigate their unique situations is not only a privilege, but teaches you a lot!

Our brains are tremendously skilled at learning; forming new connections and pathways based on the behaviors and habits we engage in regularly.  These pathways once formed are often permanent.  That’s why the phrase “Once an addict, always an addict”, is an accurate description and why someone after years of abstinence from a substance or alcohol can immediately return to addictive patterns upon engaging in the behavior.  Younger brains appear to be especially vulnerable; we know that most who are addicted to nicotine started this habit in their teen years.  This  places in question our society’s current trend in legalizing “recreational” drugs such as marijuana.  This excellent article further describes the “Habit Making, Habit Breaking” cycle from a Christian perspective.

How do long term marriages or even friendships survive.  It requires a combination of commitment , perserverance and forgiveness.  No relationship can survive every slight being talked about and processed, neither can it weather never addressing conflict.  Proverbs 10:12 says “Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses,” and 1 Peter 4:8 says “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”  So I think if we are able to truly  let offenses go without developing bitterness and resentment and thus hindering the relationship, that is the way to go.  However if on honest examination, someone else offense is causing us to harbor hurt, resentment and bitterness we need to talk it through.   

 Here is a a great article by Dr. Henry Cloud that addresses the need for forgiveness in marriage.

As this year draws to a close, I hope you can look back and feel satisfied about how your year went.  I know those I meet with have worked hard to remove the roadblocks in their lives whether they’re relationship or marriage issues, resolving past trauma, or overcoming anxiety, panic and depression and are experiencing a more satisfying experience in life.

As we celebrate Christmas, let’s remember that because Jesus came to earth and gave His life for us, there is always hope.  We are not alone or without help in the struggles we have or the brokenness that affects all of us.  I hope you will find reason to rejoice in this and persevere with hope in whatever your situation encompasses.

As we turn the calendar next week to 2016, take some time to think about what you’d like to accomplish in the New Year.  Set some goals for yourself personally and for your family and relationships.  Here’s some brief tips to improve your overall health as you enter the New Year.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

As a new year is coming soon, many aim to set goals for increased health and well being.  One practice that I highly recommend is adding exercise as a regular part of your week.  The benefits to your body are well known; decreased levels of stress, higher metabolism, building muscle, increased burning of calories, and a higher level of energy.  There is also evidence that exercise has huge benefits to our brain and our emotional well being.  Here’s a link that shows the immediate benefits that only 20 minutes of exercise has on our brain and our sense of well being.  Make it happen in 2015!