Articles from the counselors at Wellspring Counseling in Greenville, SC on anxiety, depression, trauma, parenting, marriage, and counseling for children and teens.https://wellspringgreenville.com/en-ushttps://wellspringgreenville.com/trauma-the-brain-accelerated-resolution-therapy/https://wellspringgreenville.com/trauma-the-brain-accelerated-resolution-therapy/What happens to the brain during trauma – and how can we heal? Jonathan sat down with Wellspring counselor Becky Hecht in our recent podcast episode to explore the deeply personal and biological experience of trauma, how it reshapes the brain, and how innovative treatments like Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) are helping people find realMon, 29 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://wellspringgreenville.com/trauma-the-brain-accelerated-resolution-therapy/https://wellspringgreenville.com/trauma-the-brain-accelerated-resolution-therapy/What happens to the brain during trauma – and how can we heal? Jonathan sat down with Wellspring counselor Becky Hecht in our recent podcast episode to explore the deeply personal and biological experience of trauma, how it reshapes the brain, and how innovative treatments like Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) are helping people find realMon, 29 Sep 2025 20:26:21 GMThttps://wellspringgreenville.com/food-without-fear-feeding-the-body-and-the-mind/https://wellspringgreenville.com/food-without-fear-feeding-the-body-and-the-mind/This blog is inspired by a conversation between Margaret Kay-Ko Brooks and Jonathan Kittel with registered dietitian Julie Vaughan. Julie is the owner of Greenville Nutrition Therapy. When it comes to healing from an eating disorder, one thing is clear: no single person can do it alone. Whether someone is struggling with disordered eating patterns,Tue, 23 Sep 2025 17:45:29 GMThttps://wellspringgreenville.com/reflective-listening-the-parenting-skill-that-changes-everything/https://wellspringgreenville.com/reflective-listening-the-parenting-skill-that-changes-everything/Featuring Margaret Kay Ko Brooks and Jonathan Kittel Parenting can often feel like navigating a maze with no map. We’re inundated with advice, books, internet search results, and social media tips, each offering a different direction. But in the midst of all this noise, one tool stands out as both profoundly simple and deeply impactful:Sat, 14 Jun 2025 13:11:44 GMThttps://wellspringgreenville.com/overcoming-the-pressure-to-be-perfect/https://wellspringgreenville.com/overcoming-the-pressure-to-be-perfect/In today’s fast-paced world, many of us, especially teens, feel an overwhelming pressure to be perfect. But what does that pressure really do to us, and how can we begin to break free from it? The Roots of Perfectionism The drive to be perfect often starts internally, but it is fueled by external forces asWed, 29 Jan 2025 21:54:38 GMThttps://wellspringgreenville.com/helping-teens-take-ownership-understanding-the-struggle-of-responsibility/https://wellspringgreenville.com/helping-teens-take-ownership-understanding-the-struggle-of-responsibility/Parenting can often feel like navigating a minefield, especially when it comes to teens and their responsibilities. Many parents find themselves frustrated when their children fail to take ownership of their responsibilities and mistakes. “Why won’t they just acknowledge what they’ve done?” is a common lament. This struggle can lead to increased conflict that oftenTue, 15 Oct 2024 19:59:04 GMThttps://wellspringgreenville.com/understanding-play-therapy-a-path-to-healing-for-children/https://wellspringgreenville.com/understanding-play-therapy-a-path-to-healing-for-children/When we think about child development and mental health, one approach stands out: play therapy, particularly Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT). This non-directive, developmentally appropriate method offers children a safe space to express themselves, heal, and grow. Let’s dive deeper into the principles of CCPT, its therapeutic benefits, and the vital role parents play in thisWed, 25 Sep 2024 16:09:07 GMThttps://wellspringgreenville.com/navigating-anxiety-in-teenage-girls-insights-from-a-counseling-perspective/https://wellspringgreenville.com/navigating-anxiety-in-teenage-girls-insights-from-a-counseling-perspective/As parents, watching our teenage daughters grapple with anxiety can be a challenging and heart-wrenching experience. Understanding how anxiety manifests in teens and knowing how to support them effectively is crucial. Here’s a comprehensive look at how anxiety presents itself in the counseling office and practical tips for supporting your teen through it. If youSun, 15 Sep 2024 17:47:45 GMThttps://wellspringgreenville.com/strategies-for-building-resilience-in-children/https://wellspringgreenville.com/strategies-for-building-resilience-in-children/The American Psychological Association describes resilience as “the process and outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging experiences, especially through mental, emotional, and behavioral flexibility and adjustment to external and internal demands.” We all want this for our children. Building resilience helps children maintain a positive view of themselves, others, and the worldFri, 05 Jan 2024 16:26:50 GMThttps://wellspringgreenville.com/postpartum-mental-health-for-new-moms/https://wellspringgreenville.com/postpartum-mental-health-for-new-moms/Becoming a mother is life changing. It is a very exciting time and can also be a stressful time as you adjust to a new normal. In the midst of caring for your baby, it’s easy to neglect yourself. After all, that baby needs you all the time. Don’t forget that you need to takeThu, 21 Sep 2023 20:40:44 GMThttps://wellspringgreenville.com/parenting-an-emerging-adult/https://wellspringgreenville.com/parenting-an-emerging-adult/J.R. Moehringer’s famous quote that “time is a thief” resonates with parents who feel that their children became adults overnight. The season where children approach adulthood is filled with mixed emotions. The child you raised, who you can still picture running around your kitchen in diapers and dressing up for Halloween, is no longer aMon, 01 May 2023 14:43:56 GMThttps://wellspringgreenville.com/dont-yellact-managing-your-childs-inappropriate-behaviors-with-the-act-method/https://wellspringgreenville.com/dont-yellact-managing-your-childs-inappropriate-behaviors-with-the-act-method/When children have emotional outbursts, aren’t listening, show defiance or display other troublesome behaviors, it’s easy to become frustrated as a parent. What do you do and how can you foster emotional growth in your child while further nurturing their self-control and personal responsibility? The ACT method is a child-centered therapeutic approach that provides anThu, 16 Jun 2022 21:18:57 GMThttps://wellspringgreenville.com/having-anxiety-and-depression-as-a-healthcare-professional/https://wellspringgreenville.com/having-anxiety-and-depression-as-a-healthcare-professional/Anxiety and depression can happen for a variety of reasons. It may be something you struggled with long before entering the healthcare field, OR, it may have taken root as a result of your work in the healthcare field. Either way, experiencing mental health challenges while working in a fast-paced, high-stress healthcare environment is aThu, 23 Dec 2021 19:40:22 GMThttps://wellspringgreenville.com/navigating-the-challenges-of-emerging-adults/https://wellspringgreenville.com/navigating-the-challenges-of-emerging-adults/Navigating the Challenges of Emerging Adulthood Emerging adulthood is a season of life marked by self-focus, instability, identity explorations, feeling in-between, and a sense of possibilities.1 This stage occurs from age 18 to 29, when you’re finishing grade school and transitioning into a more ambiguous season. Experiencing a new level of freedom and choosing whatTue, 26 Oct 2021 20:34:51 GMThttps://wellspringgreenville.com/healthcare-professional-burnout-symptoms-and-solutions/https://wellspringgreenville.com/healthcare-professional-burnout-symptoms-and-solutions/Define Burnout The Mayo Clinic defines burnout as “a special type of work-related stress — a state of physical or emotional exhaustion that also involves a sense of reduced accomplishment and loss of personal identity.” Are you metaphorically raising your hand, saying, “Yes! This is me!”? If so, know that you’re not alone. Burnout isTue, 16 Feb 2021 18:10:24 GMThttps://wellspringgreenville.com/understanding-anger-in-children-and-teens/https://wellspringgreenville.com/understanding-anger-in-children-and-teens/Is your child or teen angry? If you have ever dealt with the angry outbursts of a child or had screaming matches with an adolescent, then you know how difficult it can be to respond positively to anger. Even the most patient parents may find themselves reacting emotionally and regretting what they have said. Ultimately,Thu, 27 Aug 2020 19:45:02 GMThttps://wellspringgreenville.com/exercising-more-may-decrease-your-anxiety/https://wellspringgreenville.com/exercising-more-may-decrease-your-anxiety/When we think about the benefits of exercise, we typically think about losing weight, getting stronger, looking better, or improving our heart health. We’re familiar with the physical benefits of exercising – and there are many! But, we may not realize that exercising also has a plethora of mental health benefits. Exercising builds confidence. ItFri, 22 May 2020 19:28:46 GMThttps://wellspringgreenville.com/the-importance-of-premarital-counseling-for-christians/https://wellspringgreenville.com/the-importance-of-premarital-counseling-for-christians/People of all backgrounds and beliefs understand the importance of investing in what matters most. And most all would agree that staying connected in your marriage is vitally important! Yet, for Christian couples, premarital counseling serves a distinct purpose. You’re entering a covenant with your spouse, and together, you’re also entering a covenant with God.Wed, 15 Apr 2020 21:37:41 GMThttps://wellspringgreenville.com/the-blame-game-common-problems-addressed-in-marriage-counseling/https://wellspringgreenville.com/the-blame-game-common-problems-addressed-in-marriage-counseling/“You’re the reason ______.” “You always ______.” “If you didn’t _____, then I ______.” These are just a few phrases we use when we’re blaming our spouse. It’s so easy for even the best relationship to get stuck in the blame game. Pointing out fault in another, before seeing or noticing your own contributions, isMon, 06 Apr 2020 20:42:55 GMThttps://wellspringgreenville.com/how-to-quiet-the-chaos-in-the-midst-of-a-pandemic/https://wellspringgreenville.com/how-to-quiet-the-chaos-in-the-midst-of-a-pandemic/This week has been filled with uncertainty, panic, and fear. I have watched as my family, friends and clients have struggled under the weight of our collective experience of a pandemic. Personally, as a mom to a medically fragile child, this week has not been filled with peace. As this pandemic continues, it is timeFri, 20 Mar 2020 03:00:17 GMThttps://wellspringgreenville.com/pain-and-hurt-common-problems-addressed-in-couples-counseling/https://wellspringgreenville.com/pain-and-hurt-common-problems-addressed-in-couples-counseling/Every marriage is unique. Sometimes the problems that surface in marriage are related to specific life experiences and perspectives that each spouse brings into the relationship. However, regardless of our individual experiences, there are common problems that we see come up frequently in the marriage counseling setting. This is our first article in a seriesTue, 10 Mar 2020 12:55:52 GMThttps://wellspringgreenville.com/5-ways-to-deal-with-stress-anxiety-during-the-holidays/https://wellspringgreenville.com/5-ways-to-deal-with-stress-anxiety-during-the-holidays/With the holiday season in full swing, last minute shopping, and families visiting from out of town, it can feel like it brings more stress than joy. If you have found yourself feeling more frazzled than festive, then maybe it is time to try mindfulness practice as part of your holiday self care routine. ThisThu, 12 Dec 2019 15:53:16 GMThttps://wellspringgreenville.com/how-counseling-breaks-the-depression-cycle/https://wellspringgreenville.com/how-counseling-breaks-the-depression-cycle/I often tell my clients there are two main myths about depression. The first is this: “depression is completely controllable.” That’s not true. Here’s the reality: there is a lot in life outside your control. At times, this may even include your mood, your energy level, or even the automatic thoughts that keep showing up.Wed, 06 Nov 2019 16:20:27 GMThttps://wellspringgreenville.com/what-to-expect-in-depression-counseling/https://wellspringgreenville.com/what-to-expect-in-depression-counseling/So, you have decided it’s time to begin counseling for depression. You know that you need help, and it’s a courageous decision to move forward. But what should you expect to happen in therapy when depression is being treated? What’s involved in counseling for depression? What steps will be taken? In which direction will theThu, 29 Aug 2019 14:05:05 GMThttps://wellspringgreenville.com/4-signs-for-starting-depression-counseling/https://wellspringgreenville.com/4-signs-for-starting-depression-counseling/Most people will go through a season of life where feelings get negative, motivation decreases, and problems seem to eclipse all that’s good in life. But how do you know when it’s time to do begin counseling for depression? When is it time to seek professional help for problems with mood? When is it importantTue, 30 Jul 2019 16:22:51 GMThttps://wellspringgreenville.com/life-a-school-for-character-development/https://wellspringgreenville.com/life-a-school-for-character-development/So often I have the privilege of sitting front-row with my clients and watching new strengths emerge in their lives. As counselors, we are always thrilled to see symptoms relieved and problems diminishing. Yet, occasionally, we see something even more impressive. Struggle brings opportunity–Character may deepen, resiliency can develop, and real, lasting joy begins toThu, 09 May 2019 18:01:15 GMT