EIS LIVE MONDAY'S AT 6PM EST! Get ready for EIS LIVE! We are in pre-production! Shooting for a launch in about 2 weeks, "EIS LIVE!" will be broadcast LIVE on Facebook at 6PM Monday evenings. This will be a live broadcast featuring interviews with professionals in the field of counseling, relationships, addiction, trauma and many... Continue Reading →
Trauma and Abusive Relationships
Many times in my work in counseling, I find people in abusive relationships that they had a vital part in creating. It always takes two, but many times the brokenness, or trauma in one person, coupled with temperament propensities, (a combination of areas of brokenness), create a "neediness" in a person to have someone to... Continue Reading →
Victimism, Narcissism, and Entitlement
nar·cis·sist/ˈnärsəsəst/noun A person who has an excessive interest in or admiration of themselves."narcissists think the world revolves around them" Victim mentality: is an acquired personality trait in which a person tends to recognize or consider themselves as a victim of the negative actions of others, and to behave as if this were the case in the face of contrary... Continue Reading →
Defensiveness in Marriage and Relationships
Is it just us or does the statement, “Don’t get so defensive!” seem to have the same effect as when someone tells you, “Just try to relax!” In other words, it makes you feel the opposite of what’s intended – more defensive, less relaxed. Unfortunately, defensiveness can be a catalyst for negative communication patterns. It... Continue Reading →
Want to be in a Healthy Relationship? DO THE WORK!
This topic is so important I really felt strongly to run it again. I watch people struggle in relationships all the time, and be lazy in the process. You will NOT get better just because you want to or because "God can do anything". YOU have to to the work to make way for God... Continue Reading →
The Power of Relationships
This past Sunday's V1 Message from the "Toxic" Series "Relationships have the power to release your potential." This is not a post reflecting my friend Pastor Mike's teaching, but the statement I quoted above is something I wanted to lend some insight to if I may. No matter what our temperament, we are all built... Continue Reading →
Relationship Hostage Taking
Relationship or emotional hostage taking. I always use myself as an example where possible. Before I got my life right, meaning, stopped drinking and drugging and got right with God, I was an emotional basket case but acted like I wasn’t. I was broken, always angry, unable to take responsibility , insecure, deflecting, inauthentic and... Continue Reading →
Victimism, Narcissism, Entitlement
nar·cis·sist/ˈnärsəsəst/noun A person who has an excessive interest in or admiration of themselves."narcissists think the world revolves around them" Victim mentality: is an acquired personality trait in which a person tends to recognize or consider themselves as a victim of the negative actions of others, and to behave as if this were the case in the face of contrary... Continue Reading →
Humility in Marriage (and Relationships)
C. S. Lewis once said, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less.” My friends, you’re most powerful when you're remarkably humble. The more that couples fight for control, the more they'll lose themselves to pride in the process. Pride manifests in many ways, but ultimately, it shifts blame. No matter what,... Continue Reading →
Do You Take Responsibility for your Emotional Responses?
Dr. Nicole gives us some examples of how we might says things in response to "triggers"... or, things that are said that are our "buttons" that get pushed when someone says something that we are sensitive to due to our brokenness. One of the by-products of reacting in these scenarios, is that we don't necessarily... Continue Reading →