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	Getting a Right Start
	March 9, 2010 by Thomas N. Barbian, Ph.D.   At the Christian Counseling Center, we work with couples who are attempting to address problems in their marriage relationship. The help they seek ranges from trying to resolve a few rough spots in a fairly good marriage to trying to revive a marriage on the brink of divorce. I applaud these couples for their willingness to work at saving their marriages and not becoming a part of the statistic of 50 % of first time marriages that end in divorce (by the way, 70 % of second marriages end in divorce). A common thread in most troubled marriages is how inadequately prepared the couple was to marry in the first place.
	Help for Addictions (Part #22 in a Series)
	November 16, 2009 by Thomas N. Barbian, Ph.D.   What comes to mind when you hear the term “mission field”? Do you think of some desert in Africa or some jungle in South America? Or do you think of some ghetto neighborhood in a large city of this country? The term “mission field” has also been used to describe your city, your neighborhood, the people you work with, maybe even your family. I would like to suggest that addicts as a group could be considered a mission field. The addict who has worked recovery so appreciates the gift he has been given that he wants to help other addicts find the same freedom. This is one of the themes of Step 12: Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to others, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
	Help for Addictions (Part #21 in a Series)
	November 9, 2009 by Thomas N. Barbian, Ph.D.   It is difficult to change an old behavior or thought process if you do not actively replace it with a new one. Addicts are acutely aware of this. Whether a chemical addiction (alcohol or drugs) or a behavioral addiction (sex or work), it is difficult to achieve sobriety unless the addict replaces it with a new way of living life. This is the goal of Step 11: We sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for the knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out. In my last article, we looked at what it means to improve conscious contact with God and how the addict uses prayer and meditation as the means. Let us now look at the substance of the addict’s prayer.
	Help for Addictions (Part #20 in a Series)
	November 2, 2009 by Thomas N. Barbian, Ph.D.   As we continue our look at the last three of the 12-steps, a section referred to as the maintenance steps, we come to a step that once again refocuses the addict on his relationship with God. It seems only to make sense. The addict began his journey of recovery by admitting that it was only God who had the power to help him stop his addiction and achieve sobriety (step 2). Then it was God who could remove the character defects that led the addict into his addiction to begin with and it was those same character defects that would lead him to relapse (steps 6&7). Now the addict realizes that it is only through maintaining a consistent relationship with God that he will be able to remain sober for life. Step 11 puts it this way: We sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for the knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
	Help for Addictions (Part #19 in a Series)
	October 26, 2009 by Thomas N. Barbian, Ph.D.   “I would be glad to examine myself except I am afraid of what I might find.” Many of us have this sentiment. Self-examination can be disconcerting at best and down right frightening at worst. The addict in recovery has a different view though. He knows that self-examination is crucial for maintaining sobriety. Step 10 of the 12-Steps puts it this way: “We continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.”
	Help for Addictions (Part #18 in a Series)
	October 5, 2009 by Thomas N. Barbian, Ph.D.   For the person who is working the twelve steps to recover from an addiction, it can be helpful to think of the steps as being divided into three main areas. The first three steps are called the “sobriety steps.” In these steps the addict admits that he is powerless over his addiction and that it has gotten to the point that it is creating serious negative consequences in his life. Often, his life is out of control. He then recognizes that God is not powerless over his addiction. Based upon that conviction, he makes a choice to surrender his will and his life over to God. As he encounters difficulties in life, the things that all of us are powerless over, he surrenders them to God as well instead of using his addiction to cope.
	Help for Addictions (Part #17 in a Series)
	September 28, 2009 by Thomas N. Barbian, Ph.D.   We have been working toward the making of amends. Amends are important for the addict for two reasons. First, amends focus the addict on self-responsibility. In his addiction, he was self-centered whereas in amends he becomes other-centered. Secondly, amends provides the opportunity for reconciliation of the relationships that have been damaged by the addiction. Previous to this step, the addict in recovery has become willing to make the amends and has made a list of those to whom amends need to be made. Now is the time for making the amends.
	Help for Addictions (Part #16 in a Series)
	September 16, 2009 by Thomas N. Barbian, Ph.D.   “So if you are offering your gift at the altar and remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother and then come offer your gift.” (Mathew 5:23, 24). This passage is the Biblical basis for Step 8 of the 12-Steps. Step 8 says: “We made a list of all persons we have harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.” To be truly reconciled with God, one must be reconciled with his brother, whenever possible (Rom. 12:9).
	Help for Addictions (Part #15 in a Series)
	September 7, 2009 by Thomas N. Barbian, Ph.D.   As the addict continues his journey of recovery, he reaches what can be very difficult territory. He has just completed making a “fearless and searching moral inventory”. This was followed by admitting to self, God, and others his shortcomings and asking God to remove them from him. What could be more difficult than that you may ask? In short, one word: Reconciliation.
	Help for Addictions (Part #14 in a Series)
	August 24, 2009 by Thomas N. Barbian, Ph.D.
	Help for Addictions (Addictions #13)
	August 11, 2009 by Thomas N. Barbian, Ph.D.
	Help for Addictions (Addictions #12)
	August 3, 2009 by Thomas N. Barbian, Ph.D.
	Help for Addictions (Addictions #11)
	July 20, 2009 by Thomas N. Barbian, Ph.D.
	Help for Addictions (Addictions #10)
	July 13, 2009 by Thomas N. Barbian, Ph.D.
	Help for Addictions (Addictions #9)
	July 6, 2009 by Thomas N. Barbian, Ph.D.
	Help for Addictions (Addictions #8)
	June 29, 2009 by Thomas N. Barbian, Ph.D.
	Help for Addictions (Addictions #7)
	June 22, 2009 by Thomas N. Barbian, Ph.D.
	Help for Addictions (Addictions #6)
	June 15, 2009 by Thomas N. Barbian, Ph.D.
	Help for Addictions (Addictions #5)
	June 8, 2009 by Thomas N. Barbian, Ph.D.
	Understanding Addiction (Addictions #4)
	June 1, 2009 by Thomas N. Barbian, Ph.D.
	Defining Addiction (Addictions #3)
	May 25, 2009 by Thomas N. Barbian, Ph.D.
	What is an Addiction? (Addictions #2)
	May 18, 2009 by Thomas N. Barbian, Ph.D.
	The Problem of Addictions (Addictions #1 )
	May 11, 2009 by Thomas N. Barbian, Ph.D.
	A Rough Time
	August 18, 2008 by Tom N. Barbian, Ph.D.
	Mystery of Contentment
	August 12, 2008 by Larry Bert Medlin, LPC
	Effects of Sexual Abuse
	August 5, 2008 by Bobbie B. Lackey, LPC
	Giving up Good to Get Better
	July 31, 2008 by Tom N. Barbian, Ph.D.
	Sexual Abuse
	July 30, 2008 by Debbie Clark, LPC
	Lost
	July 3, 2008 by Tom N. Barbian, Ph.D.
	Meeting Our Needs
	June 24, 2008 by Larry B. Medlin, LPC
	Grief Part 4
	June 24, 2008 by Tom N. Barbian, Ph.D.
	Grief
	June 23, 2008 by Tom N. Barbian, Ph.D
	Grief and Lost Part 2
	June 17, 2008 by Tom N. Barbian, Ph.D.
	Bobbie B. Lacky, LPC
	May 30, 2008
	Surrender
	April 29, 2008 by Bobbie Lackey, LPC
	How Close is Close Enough?
	April 22, 2008 by Tom Barbian, Ph.D.
	Marriage Expectations
	April 15, 2008 by Tom Barbian, Ph.D
	Christmas Stress
	November 27, 2007 by Bobbie B. Lackey, LPC
	The Body Communicates
	November 20, 2007 by Debbie Clark, LPC
	Hindrance to Health
	November 5, 2007 by Thomas N. Barbian, Ph.D.
	What is Care Team and what does it do?
	October 16, 2007 by Debbie Clark, LPC
	Right Start
	October 2, 2007 by Tom Barbian, Ph.D.
	Christian Meditation
	September 18, 2007 by Debbie Clark, LPC
	Abandonment and Attachment
	August 28, 2007 by Bobbie Lackey, LPC     .
	He Calls Us to Him
	August 22, 2007 by Ulla Dahlen, Student Intern
	How to comfort
	August 7, 2007 by Tom N. Barbian, Ph.D.
	Designed By God
	July 31, 2007 by Debbie Clark, LPC
	Adult Children (Part Two)
	July 23, 2007 by Bobbie B. Lackey, LPC
	Adult Children
	July 9, 2007 by Bobbie B. Lackey, LPC
	Emotions; Dementia & Validation Therapy
	July 2, 2007 by Debbie A. Clark, LPC
	Reaching Out To Help Others
	June 19, 2007 by Bobbie B. Lackey, LPC
	Teen Depression
	June 5, 2007 by Tom Barbian, Ph.D.
	Reconciliation
	May 29, 2007 by Tom Barbian, Ph.D.
	Forgiveness is not forgetting
	May 22, 2007 by Tom Barbian, Ph.D.
	Difficult People
	May 15, 2007 by Tom Barbian, Ph.D.
	There is Hope, His name is Jesus
	April 17, 2007 by Debbie Clark, LPC
	God Uses suffering for good
	April 10, 2007 by Bobbie B. Lackey, LPC
	Jesus is the light of the world
	March 6, 2007 by Debbie Clark, LPC
	The Best Is Yet To Come
	February 12, 2007 by Bobbie B. Lackey, LPC
	Marriage for better or for Worse
	January 29, 2007 by Tom Barbian, Ph.D.
	Summary of the Ministry
	January 23, 2007 by Debbie Clark, LPC
	Children are a gift
	January 15, 2007 by Bobbie B. Lackey
	Unburden Your Heart
	January 2, 2007 by Debbie A. Clark, LPC
	Christmas Praise
	December 13, 2006 by Bobbie Lackey, LPC
	Reduce Fee
	November 28, 2006 by Tom Barbian, Ph.D
	Thanksgiving Blessings
	November 26, 2006
	The Glory of God
	November 8, 2006 by Bobbie Lackey,MEd, EdS, LPC
	Boundaries
	August 29, 2006 by Bobbie B. Lackey, LPC
	Does God Still do Miracles?
	August 22, 2006 by Tom Barbian, Ph.D.
	Pursue or Condequuences
	August 13, 2006 by Tom Barbian
	Pray Without Fear ....
	August 7, 2006 by Bobbie B. Lackey
	Mistaken Beliefs
	July 13, 2006 by Debbie A. Clark, LPC
	Control
	June 14, 2006 by Bobbie Lackey,MEd, EdS, LPC
	Haiti
	June 14, 2006 by Bobbie Lackey,MEd, EdS, LPC
	Romance
	June 14, 2006 by Bobbie Lackey, LPC
	Sexual Addiction
	June 14, 2006 by Dr. Tom Barbian, Ph.D
	Dating
	June 6, 2006 by Bobbie Lackey,MEd, EdS, LPC
	Siblings
	May 30, 2006 by Debbie Clark, MA, LPC
	Conflict and the Path to Peace with Others – Part I
	May 2, 2006 by Dr. Dennis Morgan
	Discussing Pain
	April 10, 2006 by Bobbie Lackey,MEd, EdS, LPC
	Care Teams
	March 27, 2006 by Debbie Clark, M.A., LPC
	Visiting Suggestions
	February 13, 2006 by Debbie Clark, M.A., LPC
	Comfort
	January 31, 2006 by Bobbie Lackey,MEd, EdS, LPC
	Taking Things for Granted
	January 24, 2006 by Debbie Clark, M.A., LPC
	Reflections
	January 3, 2006 by Debbie Clark, M.A., LPC
	Non-Verbal Communication with those with Alzheimers
	November 15, 2005 by Debbie Clark, LPC
	Hope deferred makes the heart sick
	November 1, 2005 by Bobbie Lackey, MEd, EdS, LPC
	Suffering
	November 1, 2005 by Bobbie Lackey,MEd, EdS, LPC
	Enhancing Communication with persons with Dementia
	October 24, 2005 by Debbie Clark, LPC
	God Answers Prayer
	October 10, 2005 by Bobbie Lackey, MEd, EdS.
	Communication and Memory Loss
	October 4, 2005 by Debbie Clark, LPC Counseling Associate
	Depression
	September 27, 2005 by Bobbie Lackey EdS, LPC
	Depression
	September 27, 2005 by Bobbie Lackey,MEd, EdS, LPC
	Love God with all you are
	September 20, 2005 by Debbie Clark, LPC
	Trying Times
	September 13, 2005 by Dr. Barbian
	Control Freak
	August 30, 2005 by Bobbie Lackey EdS, LPC
	Reconciliation
	August 25, 2005 by Dr. Barbian
	Caring for Caregivers update
	August 16, 2005 by Debbie Clark, LPC
	Wait
	August 1, 2005 by Bobbie Lackey, MEd, EdS
	Taking Life As It Comes Part II
	July 25, 2005 by Debbie Clark, LPC
	Taking Life as It Comes
	July 18, 2005 by By Debbie Clark, LPC
	Why?
	July 1, 2005 by Bobbie Lackey, MEd, EdS.
	Sticks and Stones
	June 7, 2005 by Bobbie Lackey, MEd, EdS
	Embracing Problems as Gifts
	May 23, 2005 by Debbie Clark LPC
	Anxiety Disorder
	April 25, 2005 by Bobbie Lackey, MEd, EdS,
	Owning your own faults
	March 29, 2005 by Debbie Clark LPC
	Hebrews 12:15
	March 14, 2005 by Bobbie B. Lackey, LPC     “See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled;” (Heb. 12:15)
	Unfinished Business
	February 1, 2005 by Debbie Clark, M.A., LPC
	Finding Peace
	January 15, 2005 by Bobbie Lackey,MEd, EdS, LPC
	Placing High Value on Wisdom
	December 13, 2004 by Debbie Clark, M.A., LPC
	Begin your journey with God
	November 29, 2004 by Debbie Clark, M.A., LPC
	Beginning Your Journey With God
	November 16, 2004 by Debbie Clark, LPCI
	Avoiding Truth?
	October 19, 2004 by Debbie Clark, M.A., LPC
	The Fullness of Redemption
	October 7, 2004 by Thomas Barbian, Ph.D.
	Seminars
	September 21, 2004 by Debbie Clark, M.A., LPC
	Ecclesiastes 11: 1,4
	September 14, 2004 by Bobbie Lackey, MEd, EdS     “Cast your bread on the surface of the waters, for you will find it after many day…He who watches the wind will not sow and he who looks at the clouds will not reap.” (Ecclesiastes 11: 1,4)
	Time To Do—Nothing?
	August 24, 2004 by Greg Robinson, MA, LPC
	Caring for Caregivers
	July 29, 2004 by Debbie Clark, M.A., LPC
	Bee Stings
	July 22, 2004 by Debbie Clark, LPCI
	Honor Your Father and Your Mother
	July 22, 2004 by Debbie Clark, LPCI
	Rest For Your Souls
	July 22, 2004 by Debbie Clark, LPCI
	Matthew 5:37 Part II
	July 6, 2004 by Debbie Clark, M.A., LPC     Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. Matt 5:37
	Matthew 5:37
	June 29, 2004 by Debbie Clark, M.A., LPC   Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. Matt 5:37
	Pain
	June 14, 2004 by Bobbie Lackey,MEd, EdS, LPC
	Caring for Caregivers
	June 8, 2004 by Debbie Clark, M.A., LPC
	Active Listening
	May 24, 2004 by Debbie Clark, M.A., LPC
	Caring for Caregiving Ministry
	April 1, 2004 by Debbie Clark, M.A., LPC   Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you (Exod. 20:12).
	Boundaries: Parts 1 and 2
	March 30, 2004 by Debbie Clark, LPCI
	Where Is God When the Tempest Turns?
	March 23, 2004 by Debbie Clark, LPCI
	Boundaries
	March 20, 2004 by Debbie Clark, M.A., LPC
	Wayward Child
	March 18, 2004 by Dr. Tom Barbian, Ph.D   I think a survey needs to be done asking parents to list the top 10 painful things a parent can experience.  If such a survey would be done, making the list near or at the top would be the pain of a wayward child.  This would be even more painful for the Christian parent because he/she has an eternal perspective, and a child who is an unbeliever can be the source of intense pain.  I encounter such parents and find that they struggle with several common issues.
	Here We "Grow" Again
	March 14, 2004 by Dr. Tom Barbian, PhD
	Praying for your Child
	February 17, 2004 by Marjorie Hobbs, M.A., LPCI
	God's Comfort
	February 17, 2004 by Dr. Tom Barbian, Ph.d
	Anxiety Disorders
	February 17, 2004 by Dr. Tom Barbian, Ph.d
	Stained Glass Windows
	February 12, 2004 by Bobbie Lackey, M.ed., Ed.S.
	Caregiver's Grant
	February 10, 2004 by Debbie Clark, M.A., LPCI
	Cheap Dates
	February 1, 2004 by Marjorie Hobbs, M.A., LPCI
	Caregiver's Grant, Part 2
	January 2, 2004 by Debbie Clark, LPCI
	Forgiveness
	December 30, 2003 by Bobbie Lackey, M.ed., Ed.S.
	Joy in the Rain
	October 1, 2003 by Marjorie Hobbs, M.A., LPCI
	Through the Eyes of a Child
	October 1, 2003 by Marjorie Hobbs, M.A., LPCI
	What is "Caring for Caregivers"?
	July 29, 2003 by Debbie Clark, LPCI
	Speaking the Truth in Love
	July 12, 2003 by Bobbie Lackey, M.ed., Ed.S.
	He has Risen!
	April 17, 2003 by Unknown
	Love is in the Air
	February 11, 2003 by Bobbie Lackey, M.ed., Ed.S.
	Is the Past Important? Part II
	September 17, 2002 by Marjorie Hobbs, LPCI
	Is the Past Important? Part I
	September 17, 2002 by Marjorie Hobbs, M.A., LPCI
	Shame and Guilt
	February 17, 2002 by Marjorie Hobbs, M.A., LPCI

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