I’d like to talk for a minute about the characteristics found within an alcoholic family. The first thing I would note is that the behaviors don’t always match up with intentions and when people say one thing but do another I encourage the family to simply watch the behavior because the alcoholic frequently wants to […]

One of the leading reasons people seek marriage counseling or relationship counseling is to get help with communication. Usually this is code for “I know my partner doesn’t hear me and I am not sure I understand them.” There are 2 sides to communication and, like intimacy, there is a sender and a receiver. To […]

By:  Rev. Daniel Gowan, M.Div, M.A., LPC-S, LCDC, CSAT “The alcoholic is a sick person trying to get well, rather than a bad person trying to get good.”  “I am convinced that the number one feature of this disease is denial.  This is true for both the alcoholic and the Al-Anon member.” Many clients trying […]

 An affirmation links a described behavior to a character trait. Say with enthusiasm and celebration!  1. You finished the taxes! Look at what you’ve accomplished! You must feel proud of your perseverance and discipline!  2. I really appreciate the planning you’re doing. You’ve got such good organizational skills.  3. You have such an open mind. […]

Emotional trauma, by its simplest definition, is an extremely stressful or disturbing event or event(s).  There are two types however and one of them is usually overlooked.  We need to reach into the grammatical style guide (shout out to my journalist son for the clarification) to begin to differentiate Trauma vs trauma.  Trauma with a […]

Purchasing a new car and driving it off the showroom floor is a thrilling event. We’re mesmerized by the new car smell, the glossy paint, and all the latest “bells and whistles.” The last thing on our mind is future fluid changes, tunes ups, and replacing worn out parts. In high school I had my […]