Mental Health Minutes with Melissa

Discover the secrets to unlocking the full potential of your emotional well-being with our special guest, Dr. Mark Mayfield. Prepare to embark on a journey that will help you develop language skills to understand better and connect with your emotions and the importance of recognizing and processing your emotional responses to enhance your overall health.

With Dr. Mayfield, we explore the complexities of emotional reflexes and attachment theory in shaping our ability to engage with our emotions. Learn how to build a stronger relationship with yourself through intentionality and self-love while gaining insights into the cyclical nature of loving God, ourselves, and others. Embrace the process of feeling, expressing, and ultimately opening yourself up to the richness of life.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to transform your emotional landscape; check out Dr. Mayfield's new book, designed for group discussions and easily digestible at just 140 pages.

Listen in to learn more -

• What is the path to Wholeness?

• How to engage with our Emotions

• What is Self-Love

• The importance of Self-Care, Lamenting, and Forgiveness

Resources

Dr. Mark Mayfield

Website: drmayfield.com

Facebook: http://facebook.com/thedrmayfield

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedrmayfield/

Let's connect:

Website

Instagram

YouTube

I'd love it if you would leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts! Don't forget – Be sure to subscribe and get new episodes on YouTube.

Have a great week!

Melissa

Discover how early exposure to pornography can impact the developing brain and shape our understanding of sex, relationships, and self-worth in our enlightening conversation with Sam Black. Learn how the young, impressionable brain struggles to process explicit material and why protecting children from its lasting effects is crucial. Join us as we dive deep into the science behind this issue and the importance of addressing it head-on.

Together with Sam, we also explore the vital roles parents, churches, and education play in supporting individuals struggling with pornography use. We also discuss how to uncover the potential for churches to create safe, open spaces for discussing this often-taboo topic and providing resources and support for their congregations.

Don't miss out on this essential conversation and the wealth of resources available to help break free from the grip of pornography addiction.

Listen to learn more about -

• The Impact of Early Exposure to Pornography

• Parent & Church Pornography Education Support

• Finding Freedom From Pornography and Addiction

• Resources for Ongoing Conversations

Links for things we discussed

The Victory App

The Samson Society

SheRecovery

The Healing Church

The Covenant Eyes

Good Pictures Bad Pictures Good Picture Bad Pictures Junior

ProtectYoungEyes

Access.org

Let's connect:

Website

Instagram

YouTube

I'd love it if you would leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts! Don't forget – Be sure to subscribe and get new episodes on YouTube.

Have a great week!

Melissa

Hi friends,

On today's episode, I have a heart-to-heart with my real-life friends, Scott and Vanessa Martindale, authors of "Blended and Redeemed," about the challenges and victories faced by blended families. We discuss the importance of prioritizing one's spouse over children, co-parenting, and the mental health challenges faced by parents and children in blended families.

We delve into the significance of addressing physical ailments and the importance of intentional family time, communication, and overcoming expectations in blended and traditional family dynamics.

Don't miss this insightful conversation packed with practical advice and spiritual guidance for thriving in blended families.

Listen in to learn more:

• Common struggles in blended families

• How these struggles impact the mental health of both the parents and the kids

• Overcoming Expectations in Blended Families - parents AND kids

• Inner vows, what they are, and how they hurt your relationship

Scott (LPC) and Vanessa (RN, BSN) are the founders of Blended Kingdom Families. They are committed to serving the blended family with faith and zeal. They have been married for eight years and have their own beautiful, blended family of four boys and four golden retrievers. Scott and Vanessa wholeheartedly believe that nothing is impossible for God!

Links for things we discussed

Scott and Vanessa Martindale

Blended Kingdom Families

Blended and Redeemed

SEVN Therapy Co.

Leeanne Scott

Let's connect:

Website

Instagram

YouTube

I'd love it if you would leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts! Don't forget – Be sure to subscribe and get new episodes on YouTube.

Have a great week!

Melissa

Hey friends!

It's no surprise we live in a world full of distractions. We're often advised to limit time on social media and Netflix. What if social media isn't the problem? What if it's covering up emotional toxins poisoning your thoughts?

Today's conversation is with Billie Jauss. We are discussing distractions and emotional toxins (think comparison, people-pleasing, and lies about your identity).

In today's episode, we dive deep into the world of distractions and emotional toxins, discussing how our external distractions often cover up the internal emotional toxins that hold us back from connecting with others and ourselves. Billie and I also explore the dangers of over-volunteering and people-pleasing and how they can lead to a lack of self-care and personal fulfillment.

Lastly, we discuss the importance of turning to God's word to remind ourselves of our true identity and purpose and how having Bible verses written down and readily available can help combat negative thoughts and fears.

Join us as we uncover the truth behind our emotional toxins and learn how to break free from the distractions that hold us back.

Listen in to discover:

• How distractions are stealing your joy and purpose in your life

• Why your self-talk matters

• People pleasing: how it tears you down and ways to quit

• Creating a plan to discover God's best for your life

Billie Jauss is the author of two books, 'Making Room' and 'Distraction Detox'. She speaks nationwide and hosts 'The Family Room' podcast, which provides practical biblical guidance and challenging motivation for women who want to accomplish God's best in their faith, family, and friendships. Billie and her husband, Dave, a professional baseball coach, spend the baseball season on the road and the off-season in southwest Florida.

Connect with Billie: Website

Instagram

Let's connect:

Website

Instagram

YouTube

I'd love it if you left a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts! Don't forget – Be sure to subscribe and get new episodes on YouTube.

Have a great week!

Melissa

This heartfelt episode explores the anxiety that arises from school shootings and their impact on parents and children. We discuss navigating our anxiety, promoting mental health, and processing emotions after such tragedies.

Our guest, Dr. Jessica Peck, shares her experiences as a pediatric nurse practitioner and first responder in her community. We also touch on the importance of maintaining routines, incorporating fun activities, and fostering resilience in our children. We discuss age-appropriate ways to talk to children about school shootings, using guiding questions to empower them to make a difference. Additionally, we explore the importance of acknowledging our imperfections as parents and opening up to others about our struggles. We emphasize the need to normalize mental health conversations and check in on our children's mental health regularly.

Join us as we dive into the complexities of parenting in a world where tragedy can strike at any moment and how we can help our children feel safe and supported through it all.

As a pediatric nurse practitioner in primary care, over the last 20 years, Dr. Jessica Peck has engaged, encouraged, equipped, and empowered families to raise holistically healthy kids. She guides parents to help navigate challenging parenting moments to escape shame and stigma with grace, hope, and courage.

Listen in to learn more:

• The importance of emotional regulation and self-care for parents

• Trauma dumping: what is it and how to avoid it

• Questions to stay engaged with your kids:

• • How are you feeling about what happened today?

  • How do you think this personally impacts me?

  • What can I do to make you feel safe?

  • What can you do to make a positive difference?

  • Ways to recognize unhealthy anxiety in yourself and your child

For the full episode show notes, please go to my website - melissaclarkcounseling.com

If you feel burned out and helpless, this episode is for you!

Today, we are sitting down and talking with Katherine May. Katherine offers advice from her new book, Enchantment: Awaken Wonder in an Anxious Age, on how to reignite wonder in our everyday lives. She shares stories of her journey to rekindle her sense of wonder at a time when we so often feel burned out and helpless.

Katherine May is the New York Times bestselling author of Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times, which has been translated into twenty-five languages worldwide. Her journalism and essays have appeared in a range of publications, including The New York Times, The Times (London), Good Housekeeping, and Cosmopolitan. She also hosts, How We Live. She lives by the sea in Whitstable, England.

Listen in to learn about:

• How is wonder about an antidote to anxiety

• Ways to reignite wonder in our everyday lives

• The healing power of rituals

• A remedy for those who are experiencing burnout

For the full episode show notes, please go to my website - melissaclarkcounseling.com

This episode tackles the all-too-common issue of body image struggles, including shame and insecurity. Joined by fellow counselor and podcast host Rachael Gilbert, they dive into a body image renovation, exploring biblical perspectives on eating, fitness, and godly self-confidence.

We also discuss the impact of addressing body image issues on our relationships and the importance of self-care, with Rachael sharing her personal experience and the importance of counseling and support from others.

Join Melissa on this journey to overcome negative body image and embrace our God-given bodies and lives.

Listen in to learn about:

• Ways to reframe your body image so you can appreciate how God views you

• How our body changes through the years

• Incorporating faith into our fitness routines and daily activities

• Encouragement for us to challenge our beliefs about our worth and value,

• The influence our words and behaviors have on our kids.

For the full episode show notes, please go to my website - melissaclarkcounseling.com

Are you dealing with stress and anxiety? If so, this episode will be like a breath of fresh air for you! My special guest today, Bonnie Gray, is here to help bring the calm but also shares her practical tools to eliminate the chaos! Bonnie is a soul-care mentor, inspirational retreat speaker, and author of several books, including her most recent, Breathe: 21 Ways to Stress Less & Restore Chaos to Calm.

Listen in to learn about:

• The 4 Rs that will transform moments of chaos to calm

• 3 lies that trigger anxiety & 3 truths to set you free

• The STOP Technique: 4 tips to ease pain + ruminating thoughts to help your body heal

• Why self-care and soul care are not selfish, but spiritual acts of faith

For the full episode show notes, please go to my website - melissaclarkcounseling.com

Today's episode is so important as we dive into the topic of unresolved trauma. Unfortunately, each of us will or has encountered some trauma in our lives. When we don't process past experiences, we unknowingly get tied to the past when we don't explore and process past traumatic experiences.

Dr. Elizabeth Stevens discusses PTSD, barriers to overcoming trauma, and her new book, Unshackled.

TRIGGER WARNING – Dr. Stevens discusses her PTSD, trauma, and sexual assault. She doesn't get specific, but if that triggers you, please feel free to skip this episode.

Dr. Elizabeth Stevens is a retired United States Air Force major, board-certified

psychiatrist, and trauma survivor. She served in the Air Force for ten years, reaching the rank of major before retiring due to a traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder. After experiencing healing from her trauma and sifting through the various treatment modalities available, she developed a nonprofit called Advancing Warriors International. She created several programs to help veterans, military members, and emergency responders heal from the traumas they have experienced.

In this episode, we discuss the following:

• The definition of trauma and PTSD

• Common forms of denial and how denial impacts the trauma process

• Barriers to healing

• The first step a trauma survivor can take to move toward healing

• The importance of self-awareness and self-care in the healing process

Resources :

Unshackled by Dr. Elizabeth Stevens

Website: https://www.drelizabethstevens.com/

Advancing Warriors International

If you loved this episode, I'd love a 5-star review! Be sure to subscribe and get new episodes on YouTube.

Melissa

This week on Thrive, we discuss an important path to your freedom: Forgiveness. Unforgiveness impacts not only your relationships but also your mind, body, and spirit. In today's episode, we are talking with Rev. David Peterson about his new book: Journey to Forgiveness: 21 Milestones to Freedom.

Listen in to learn about:

• Rev. David's past abuse (*trigger warning: he does talk about his childhood sexual abuse)

• The journey of forgiveness

• How unforgiveness impacts the brain and body

• Myths about forgiveness

• Practical steps to start the forgiveness process

Rev. David P. Peterson is an ordained pastor and board-certified chaplain with over thirty years of experience in ministry to 1congregations and chaplaincy experience in

hospitals, fire/ems, law enforcement, and hospice. He provided emotional and spiritual care on the scenes of devastating events from 9/11 to school shootings and various community tragedies and in 1994, founded Shepherd's Staff Pastoral Services, where he

was able to provide spiritual care to thousands via chaplains he trained and placed at long term care facilities across the U.S.

Great things we discussed today:

Rev. David Peterson

Journey to Forgiveness: 21 Milestones to Freedom

Let's connect:

Website

Instagram

YouTube

I'd love a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts if you loved this episode! Be sure to subscribe and get new episodes on YouTube.

Have a great week!

Melissa