Tag: Christian therapy

Circle of Hope Counseling Services, End the Stigma

Bullying in Adulthood The Hidden Struggle

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Bullying in Adulthood The Hidden Struggle

When we think of bullying, we often picture school hallways or playgrounds. Bullying doesn’t stop when childhood ends.
Adults can experience it, too at work, in relationships, within families, and even in faith communities. Adult bullying is rarely talked about, those who experience it often feel confused, ashamed, or isolated.

What Adult Bullying Looks Like

Adult bullying can be subtle or overt. It’s any pattern of behavior meant to control, humiliate, or harm another person. It might look like:

  • Workplace intimidation: Public criticism, exclusion, or sabotage from a coworker or supervisor.

  • Social manipulation: Gossip, humiliation, or being deliberately left out of group activities.

  • Verbal aggression: Insults, threats, or condescending comments meant to demean.

  • Cyberbullying: Online harassment or defamation through social media or messages.

  • Spiritual or emotional bullying: Using authority, guilt, or faith to manipulate or control.

These experiences can leave lasting emotional pain and affect a person’s sense of worth, safety, and belonging.

Why Adults Stay Silent

Adults often minimize or dismiss their experiences, telling themselves they should “just get over it.” But emotional abuse and manipulation are real and damaging. Silence allows toxicity to continue and reinforces shame. Recognizing that what’s happening is not okay is the first step toward reclaiming power and peace.

Healing and Setting Boundaries

You can’t control another person’s behavior, but you can protect your peace by setting firm boundaries. Here’s how:

  • Name the behavior: Silence loses power when truth is spoken.

  • Seek support: Talk to a trusted friend, therapist, or HR professional if it’s workplace-related.

  • Prioritize self-care: Bullying drains your emotional energy fill it back with rest, prayer, and connection.

  • Remember your worth: You don’t deserve mistreatment, no matter who it comes from.

Faith and Strength

Psalm 27:1 says, “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?” When faced with intimidation or cruelty, faith can ground you in truth: you are not powerless, and you are never alone. At Circle of Hope Counseling Services, we provide trauma-informed, faith-filled counseling for adults navigating workplace stress, emotional abuse, or relational toxicity. Healing begins when you reclaim your voice and remember who you are in Christ. 💛

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Circle of Hope Counseling Services, End the Stigma

You Don’t Have to Earn Rest

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Don’t Have to Earn Rest

You Don’t Have to Earn Rest

Somewhere along the way, rest got tangled up with worth. Maybe you were taught to keep going until you collapse. Could it be that maybe slowing down felt like failure. But that’s not how God designed you to live.

Rest is not something you earn—it’s something you need.

It’s how your body heals, how your mind resets, how your spirit reconnects with God. Jesus Himself rested. He withdrew. Also, He slept through storms. He invited us into rhythms of grace, not grind.

Today, give yourself permission to step back. To be quiet. To be still. You don’t have to finish the list first. Remember, you don’t have to explain or justify the break. You are already worthy of rest, simply because you are His.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” —Matthew 11:28

💛 If you’re navigating life’s hard places and need a safe space to heal, grow, or just breathe—Circle of Hope Counseling Services is here for you. We offer trauma-informed, faith-filled therapy for individuals, couples, and families.


📞 Reach out today to schedule your first session (KY residents only) or learn more: Circle of Hope Counseling Services.
You don’t have to walk this journey alone. Hope starts here.

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Circle of Hope Counseling Services, End the Stigma

Signs You’re Not Rested (Even If You’re Sleeping)

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 Signs You’re Not Rested (Even If You’re Sleeping)

Signs You’re Not Rested (Even If You’re Sleeping)

You slept eight hours. Then you got through your checklist. You even slowed down on the weekend.

And still you feel drained.
Not just tired, but heavy. Foggy. Flat.

That’s because sleep and rest are not the same thing.

Sleep Recharges the Body. Rest Restores the Soul.

You can sleep without ever feeling truly rested—especially if your nervous system is stuck in survival mode or your mind never stops racing.

Here are some signs you may be running on empty, even if you’re technically “resting”:

  • You wake up already tired

  • You feel irritable or numb for no clear reason

  • You zone out often or feel disconnected from your body

  • You can’t remember when you last felt excited about something

  • You go through the motions but feel like you’re not really living

This isn’t laziness or weakness. It’s unrest. And your body is asking for something deeper.

Seven Kinds of Rest (You Might Be Missing)

Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith identifies 7 types of rest. Which ones are you overlooking?

  1. Physical rest: Sleep, stretching, massage, stillness

  2. Mental rest: Quieting your thoughts, reducing stimuli

  3. Emotional rest: Being safe enough to be honest

  4. Spiritual rest: Reconnecting with purpose and God’s presence

  5. Sensory rest: Dimming the lights, stepping away from screens

  6. Social rest: Taking space from draining interactions

  7. Creative rest: Beauty, nature, music, wonder

True restoration comes when you meet the kind of rest your soul is actually craving.

God Doesn’t Just Suggest Rest—He Designed It

“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.”
—Psalm 4:8

God created rest as a gift, not a reward for finishing your to-do list. He invites you to stop striving—not because everything is done, but because you matter more than what you produce.

A Gentle Reflection

Ask yourself today:

  • Where am I most depleted?

  • What kind of rest have I been ignoring?

  • What is one thing I can say no to, so I can say yes to rest?

You deserve to feel restored. Not just functioning. Not just surviving. Fully alive.

💛 If you’re navigating life’s hard places and need a safe space to heal, grow, or just breathe—Circle of Hope Counseling Services is here for you. We offer trauma-informed, faith-filled therapy for individuals, couples, and families.


📞 Reach out today to schedule your first session (KY residents only). You don’t have to walk this journey alone. Hope starts here.

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Circle of Hope Counseling Services, End the Stigma

The Nervous System Isn’t the Enemy, It’s the Messenger

barefootfaithjourney

The Nervous System Isn’t the Enemy, It’s the Messenger

The Nervous System Isn’t the Enemy, It’s the Messenger

You don’t have a broken nervous system.
You have a wise one.

It’s easy to think something is wrong with you when your heart races over nothing, when you can’t calm down, or when the smallest thing makes you feel like shutting down completely.

But those aren’t signs of weakness. They’re messages from a part of your body that’s trying to protect you.

Your Nervous System Has One Job: Keep You Safe

Your body is hardwired for survival. And when it senses a threat—real or perceived—it responds. That response may look like:

  • Fight: irritability, snapping, control

  • Flight: restlessness, panic, overworking

  • Freeze: shutdown, brain fog, exhaustion

  • Fawn: people-pleasing, over-apologizing, disappearing your needs

These states aren’t you “acting crazy.” They’re you surviving.

Survival Mode Isn’t a Moral Failure

You didn’t choose your trauma. But you can choose how to respond to your body now.

Start by releasing the shame.
Then, begin to notice what your nervous system is telling you:

“I feel unsafe.”
“I need rest.”
“I need to be seen.”
“I’m afraid this will happen again.”

God made your body to alert you—not to condemn you.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind.”
—2 Timothy 1:7

How to Support Your Nervous System

  1. Name what’s happening.
    “I’m in fight mode right now. My body thinks I’m in danger.”

  2. Use grounding tools.
    Try cold water, deep belly breathing, or pressing your feet into the floor.

  3. Co-regulate with someone safe.
    Let someone speak calm over you. Connection is healing.

  4. Give your system time.
    You won’t reset in a day. But each moment of safety builds new patterns.

Your body is not against you. It’s been fighting for you all along.
Maybe now is the time to stop fighting back—and start listening.

💛 If you’re navigating life’s hard places and need a safe space to heal, grow, or just breathe—Circle of Hope Counseling Services is here for you. We offer trauma-informed, faith-filled therapy for individuals, couples, and families.


📞 Reach out today to schedule your first session (KY residents only). You don’t have to walk this journey alone. Hope starts here.

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When Your Thoughts Are Loud and God Feels Distant

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When Your Thoughts Are Loud and God Feels Distant

When Your Thoughts Are Loud and God Feels Distant

Sometimes the loudest thing in the room is your mind.

You try to pray, but your thoughts won’t stay still.
Then, you open your Bible, but nothing sinks in.
You sit in the quiet, but it doesn’t feel peaceful—it feels empty.

And somewhere in the mess of mental noise, you begin to wonder:

Where is God? Why can’t I feel Him right now?

You’re Not Broken. You’re Human

When your thoughts are loud, racing, scattered, or intrusive, it doesn’t mean you’ve failed spiritually.
It might mean:

  • You’re overwhelmed

  • And exhausted

  • You’ve been living in survival mode

  • Your nervous system is activated and you can’t find stillness

This is not a lack of faith.

It’s a sign you need compassion not condemnation.

Faith Doesn’t Depend on Feelings

Your emotional experience does not measure the presence of God. He isn’t waiting for you to feel better to show up.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
—Psalm 34:18

Even when your thoughts are too loud to hear Him. He is still near.

How to Quiet the Noise (Even Just a Little)

You don’t have to force silence. You can begin with slowing.

Try one of these today:

  • Breathe in for 4, hold for 4, exhale for 6

  • Speak the name of Jesus out loud—slowly, again and again

  • Listen to worship music instead of fighting for words

  • Journal one raw sentence: “God, today I feel…”

  • Go for a walk and notice one thing you see, hear, smell, and feel

These are not just coping tools. They’re invitations to reenter God’s presence gently.

Don’t Wait to Feel Holy to Reach for Him

God isn’t scared of your mess. He doesn’t need you to have the perfect words or peaceful thoughts.
He just wants you.

And He already promised—He will never leave.

💛 If you’re navigating life’s hard places and need a safe space to heal, grow, or just breathe—Circle of Hope Counseling Services is here for you. We offer trauma-informed, faith-filled therapy for individuals, couples, and families.

📞 Reach out today to schedule your first session (KY residents only). You don’t have to walk this journey alone. Hope starts here.

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What Are You Carrying That Isn’t Yours?

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What Are You Carrying That Isn’t Yours?

What Are You Carrying That Isn’t Yours?

There’s a kind of heaviness that doesn’t come from your own life but from everyone else’s.

It creeps in subtly, disguised as love, loyalty, or responsibility. And before you know it, you’re carrying the emotional weight of other people’s pain, choices, reactions, and expectations almost as if they were your own.

False Responsibility Feels Like…

  • “If I don’t fix it, everything will fall apart.”

  • “It must be my fault, if they’re upset.”

  • “I can’t rest. What if they need me?”

  • “It’s my job to hold everyone together.”

Sound familiar?

It’s not selfish to acknowledge this. It’s wise. And it’s often the first step in healing.

Emotional Load ≠ Emotional Love

We were never created to be the savior of anyone’s story. That role has already been filled.

Carrying what isn’t ours can feel noble, even Christ-like. But Jesus never asked us to carry other people’s control, consequences, or chaos. He asked us to love—not absorb.

“For each one should carry their own load.”
—Galatians 6:5

There’s a difference between helping and hijacking. Between being present and being responsible for someone else’s emotions.

How to Know If It’s Yours to Carry

Ask yourself:

  • Did God assign me this, or did I pick it up to please someone?

  • Is this drawing me closer to peace or further into pressure?

  • Am I trying to control something that isn’t mine to manage?

You are allowed to drop what doesn’t belong to you. You are allowed to say:

“This is not mine to carry.”

The Gift of Emotional Boundaries

Boundaries aren’t walls—they’re doors with locks. They allow what nourishes you to enter and what harms you to stay out.

When you stop carrying everyone else’s weight, something beautiful happens:

You begin to feel lighter.
And you begin to heal.
You begin to come back to you.

And that’s exactly where you’re meant to be.

💛 If you’re navigating life’s hard places and need a safe space to heal, grow, or just breathe—Circle of Hope Counseling Services is here for you. We offer trauma-informed, faith-filled therapy for individuals, couples, and families.

📞 Reach out today to schedule your first session (KY residents only). You don’t have to walk this journey alone. Hope starts here.

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Why August Is the Perfect Month to Reset

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Why August Is the Perfect Month to Reset

why august is the perfect month to reset

August has always felt like a pause.

Not quite summer. Not yet fall. It hangs in that in-between space, asking us to slow down and pay attention—to the parts of ourselves we’ve been too busy to notice.

Maybe you’ve been on autopilot—surviving the summer chaos, riding the waves of activity, ignoring the quiet ache underneath. Or maybe you’ve numbed out completely. Whatever the reason, August offers us something rare and sacred:

A chance to reset.

A chance to ask—

What am I carrying that no longer belongs to me?
What rhythms do I need in this next season of life?
Where have I lost myself in the noise?

A Transitional Threshold

There’s a hush in August. A breath between the busyness. Even the trees seem to lean in, their leaves tired from holding the sun too long.

This is your time to lean in too.

Not into productivity or pressure.

But into presence.

This is the moment to reconnect with your body, your spirit, and your mind. Before the backpacks come out, the schedules overflow, and the expectations pile high again.

A Faithful Invitation

God often works in the in-betweens.

Elijah met God not in the wind or fire, but in the gentle whisper (1 Kings 19:12). It’s in these quieter spaces that we hear most clearly. And August—if we let it—can be our gentle whisper.

It’s okay to pull back.
It’s okay to say no.
It’s okay to come home to yourself.

Your Reset Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect

Maybe you’re exhausted. Or maybe your routine is nonexistent. Maybe you feel like you’ve lost your way entirely. That’s okay.

You don’t have to leap. You can begin.

Resetting doesn’t require a master plan. It simply requires intention.

So breathe deep. Light a candle. Drink your coffee slowly. Speak kindly to yourself. Let August be the month you come back to you.

💛 If you’re navigating life’s hard places and need a safe space to heal, grow, or just breathe—Circle of Hope Counseling Services is here for you. We offer trauma-informed, faith-filled therapy for individuals, couples, and families.

📞 Reach out today to schedule your first session (KY residents only). You don’t have to walk this journey alone. Hope starts here.

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The Legacy of How You Make People Feel

Circle of Hope Counseling Services, End the Stigma, Quotes

The Legacy of How You Make People Feel

barefootfaithjourney

quotation maya angelou i ve learned that people will forget what you said 0 84 85

 

The Legacy of How You Make People Feel

Words fade.
Actions are often misunderstood.
But emotion? Emotion leaves a mark.

Maya Angelou once said:

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

And it’s true.

People might not remember the Bible verse you quoted, the advice you gave, or the exact gesture you made…
But they will remember whether they felt safe, seen, loved, or dismissed when they were with you.

Your Presence Matters More Than Your Performance

We live in a culture that pushes productivity, appearances, and proof.
But the ministry of presence—the way you show up in someone’s storm—is holy.

Did they feel heard when they told you their story?
>What about did they feel comforted when they were grieving?
>Did they feel valued after leaving your home, your office, or your arms?

It doesn’t take grand gestures.
>And it takes empathy.
>It takes intentional kindness.
>Honestly, it takes slowing down long enough to be with someone instead of rushing to fix them.

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
— Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)

What Will People Remember About You?

Not your résumé.
>Or your square footage.
>Not even your perfectly coordinated family photos.

They’ll remember how you made them feel—especially when they were hurting.

📝 Try this: Think of one person in your life right now who might need encouragement. Send a kind message. Leave a note. Hug a little longer. Make them feel known.

Because in the end, the fruit of our lives isn’t just what we build—it’s how we love.

💛 If you’re navigating life’s hard places and need a safe space to heal, grow, or just breathe—Circle of Hope Counseling Services is here for you.

We offer trauma-informed, faith-filled therapy for individuals, couples, and families.

📞 Reach out today to schedule your first session (KY residents only) or learn more: Circle of Hope Counseling Services.

You don’t have to walk this journey alone. Hope starts here.

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Mistakes are Proof That You Are Trying

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Mistakes Quote

Mistakes are Proof That You Are Trying

Let’s be honest: making mistakes never feels good.

Maybe you snapped at someone you love.
Or maybe you said the wrong thing.
Maybe you’re carrying the weight of something you didn’t do—because you froze, avoided, or gave up too soon.

Whatever it is, you’re not alone.

And here’s a truth I want you to tuck into your heart:

Mistakes are not proof of failure.
They’re proof that you’re trying.

🚫 Perfection Is Not the Goal

We live in a world that tells us to “get it right” the first time. But healing doesn’t work like that. Growth doesn’t work like that. Parenting doesn’t work like that. Faith doesn’t work like that either.

You’re not called to perfection. You’re called to progress.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9

Even your weakness, even your missteps, and even your messy middle.

💡 Mistakes Teach. Shame Silences.

It’s okay to feel conviction when you’ve made a mistake—but shame is something else entirely. Shame says, “I am bad.”
God says, “You are loved, even here.”

Mistakes are part of the learning process:

  • They show up when we’re brave enough to try.

  • Mistakes show us where our growth edges are.

  • They remind us that we’re human—and that we still care.

If you weren’t trying, you wouldn’t make mistakes. You’d be numb. Detached. Disengaged.

So if you’ve messed up recently? Good. That means you’re in the arena. And that’s where healing happens.

🌱 Keep Going Anyway

You can fall and still get back up.
Also, you can miss the mark and still be loved.
You can fail today and still try again tomorrow.

The goal is not to never fall—it’s to fall forward. To learn and to rise. It is to keep your eyes on Jesus instead of your record.

“Though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again.” – Proverbs 24:16

You don’t have to hide your mistakes. You’re allowed to be human and you’re allowed to grow. God can handle the mess. He already has.

💛 If you’re navigating life’s hard places and need a safe space to heal, grow, or just breathe—Circle of Hope Counseling Services is here for you.

We offer trauma-informed, faith-filled therapy for individuals, couples, and families.

📞 Reach out today to schedule your first session (KY residents only) or learn more: Circle of Hope Counseling Services.

You don’t have to walk this journey alone. Hope starts here.

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Know the Difference – Rest Is Not Avoidance

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Know the Difference - Rest Is Not Avoidance

Know the Difference – Rest Is Not Avoidance

Sometimes we confuse rest with avoidance. We think if we slow down, we’re just running away from responsibility. But rest and avoidance are not the same thing.

Avoidance numbs. Rest restores.
Avoidance distracts. Rest connects.
Avoidance runs. Rest receives.

God never called us to avoid the hard stuff. He called us to walk through it. We are do to this with Him. But He also told us to rest along the way.

In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Jesus didn’t say, “Come to me and escape it all.” He said, “Come to me and I’ll walk with you. I’ll carry this with you. I’ll show you how to rest even while you keep going.”

You can rest without running away. You can pause without quitting. Rest helps you reset so you can face what’s next with strength, not exhaustion.

Let God meet you in your rest—not just your work.

✨ Ready to rest and rebuild? Circle of Hope Counseling Services offers faith-based, trauma-informed therapy to help you move forward with peace and purpose.

📞 Serving KY residents. Schedule your session today: Circle of Hope Counseling Services

You don’t have to carry it all alone.
Hope starts here.

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Learning to Love Yourself Again

Brandi C

Learning to Love Yourself Again

Learning to Love Yourself Again

There may come a point in your life where you look in the mirror and barely recognize the person staring back. You’ve been through too much. You carry invisible wounds. You’re weary, fragile, and maybe even angry with yourself. Maybe shame has wrapped itself around you like a heavy coat you don’t remember putting on. In the end, you have to begin Learning to Love Yourself Again.

But here’s the truth I want you to hear today: you are worthy of love—even from yourself.

Loving yourself isn’t arrogance. It’s not pride. It’s acknowledging that the Creator of the universe calls you fearfully and wonderfully made. And if He can delight in you, maybe it’s time you learn to do the same.

Why We Struggle to Love Ourselves

Many of us grew up hearing conflicting messages. Some of us were taught that humility meant shrinking ourselves. Others were shaped by trauma, criticism, or comparison that whispered, you’re not enough—not pretty enough, not smart enough, not holy enough.

Then life adds its own scars. Abuse. Grief. Poor decisions. Betrayal. Chronic illness. Mental health struggles. Before long, it feels like we are a pile of broken pieces with nothing left to love.

But friend, even in your brokenness, you are beloved. God does not wait for you to have it all together to love you. He meets you right in the mess and reminds you: You are mine.

Faith-Filled Foundations for Self-Love

Loving yourself begins with seeing yourself the way God does. You are not a mistake. Also, you are not your trauma. You are not your sin, your diagnosis, or your past. Remember, you are redeemed and you are made new.

Here are some ways to rebuild that foundation of self-love through faith:

  1. Speak God’s Truth Over Yourself
    Replace negative self-talk with Scripture. Start with verses like Psalm 139, Romans 8:1, and Zephaniah 3:17. His Word is the antidote to your inner critic.

  2. Forgive Yourself
    You can’t love someone you’re still punishing. Forgiveness opens the door to healing and compassion. Remember: Jesus paid it all—not just for others, but for you too.

  3. Surround Yourself with Safe People
    Healing often happens in community. People who reflect God’s love back to you help you see yourself more clearly.

  4. Make Space for Grace
    You’re learning, growing, healing. That deserves gentleness. Be patient with yourself the way God is patient with you.

Therapeutic Ways to Rebuild Self-Love

At Circle of Hope Counseling Services, we encourage clients to view self-love as a practice, not a destination. You don’t wake up one day and magically love everything about yourself. But you can wake up and choose to care for yourself, honor your needs, and move in the direction of love.

Here are some therapeutic strategies that support that journey:

  • Mirror Work: Practice looking at yourself with kindness. Say something positive out loud each morning—even if it’s hard at first.

  • Inner Child Healing: Connect with the younger version of you who needed love, safety, and affirmation. Write them letters. Speak kindly to them.

  • Journaling: Track your thoughts, progress, and small victories. Reflect on how far you’ve come.

Breaking the Shame Cycle

Shame keeps us stuck. It tells us we’re unworthy, and then convinces us to hide. But shame loses its power when we step into the light of truth. Loving yourself is a form of spiritual warfare. It is saying, “I will not let darkness define who I am.”

The enemy wants you to believe you’re beyond love. God wants you to believe you’re deeply loved, right now, exactly as you are. Let that truth be louder.

A Gentle Challenge

Take one small step today:
Look in the mirror and say this—
“I am worthy of love because I am a child of God. I may be healing, but I am whole in Him.”

It may feel awkward or uncomfortable, but don’t give up. Self-love is not a feeling—it’s a discipline. It’s the steady, sacred decision to treat yourself with the same love and compassion you offer others.

You are not too broken or too far gone. Remember, you are not unlovable. You are His.

And He has never stopped loving you.

💛 If you’re navigating life’s hard places and need a safe space to heal, grow, or just breathe—Circle of Hope Counseling Services is here for you.

We offer trauma-informed, faith-filled therapy for individuals, couples, and families.

📞 Reach out today to schedule your first session (KY residents only) or learn more: Circle of Hope Counseling Services.

You don’t have to walk this journey alone. Hope starts here.

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Circle of Hope Counseling Services, End the Stigma

Forgiving Yourself: A Path to Grace

Brandi C

Forgiving Yourself: A Path to Grace

Forgiving Yourself: A Path to Grace

We often talk about the power of forgiveness—how freeing it is to release bitterness toward others. But what happens when the person you need to forgive is staring back at you in the mirror? Forgiving Yourself: A Path to Grace.

Self-forgiveness can feel like the hardest form of grace to extend. It’s one thing to believe that God can forgive you. It’s another to believe you can forgive yourself. Maybe you’ve said the wrong thing, made a mistake you deeply regret, or failed someone you love. Maybe you carry the weight of what-ifs and should-haves like a backpack full of bricks.

Here’s the truth: we all fall short. Romans 3:23 reminds us, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” That includes you. And me. But the story doesn’t end there—because the same grace that saved you is the grace that invites you into healing.

Forgiving yourself isn’t about forgetting what happened. It’s about releasing yourself from the prison of shame and allowing God’s truth to replace the lies that say you’re unworthy of love, healing, or a second chance.

The Healing Power of Self-Forgiveness

When we hold onto guilt and self-condemnation, it affects our mental, emotional, and even physical well-being. Unforgiveness toward ourselves can lead to anxiety, depression, chronic stress, low self-worth, and damaged relationships.

But when we allow God to enter those broken spaces, we find freedom.

At Circle of Hope Counseling Services, we often work with clients who are carrying silent guilt—some for things outside their control, others for decisions made under pressure or in pain. Part of the therapeutic process is helping individuals recognize that healing doesn’t come from pretending something didn’t happen—it comes from telling the truth and letting God meet you in it.

Practical Steps to Begin Forgiving Yourself:

  1. Name what you’re holding onto. Write it down or speak it aloud. Clarity is the first step to release.

  2. Challenge shame with truth. What does God say about you? What would you say to a friend in the same situation?

  3. Seek therapy and support. Sometimes we need help untangling the roots of shame and guilt. That’s okay—healing was never meant to be done alone.

  4. Accept that you’re human. Mistakes are part of growth. You are still worthy of love and kindness.

  5. Pray through the pain. Ask God to help you see yourself through His eyes—a beloved child, not a failure.

Faith-Based Encouragement

Jesus didn’t go to the cross for perfect people. He came for the broken, the weary, the guilt-ridden, and the burdened. His grace is not limited by your past. Isaiah 1:18 reminds us, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” When you confess your wrongs to Him, He doesn’t hesitate to forgive—and you are not disqualified from forgiving yourself either.

Give yourself the same compassion you would offer someone else. You are not defined by your worst moment. You are redeemed, loved, and being restored, day by day.

💛 If you’re navigating life’s hard places and need a safe space to heal, grow, or just breathe—Circle of Hope Counseling Services is here for you.

We offer trauma-informed, faith-filled therapy for individuals, couples, and families.

📞 Reach out today to schedule your first session (KY residents only) or learn more: Circle of Hope Counseling Services.

You don’t have to walk this journey alone. Hope starts here.

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Learning to Forgive: Freedom for Your Heart

Brandi C

Learning to Forgive: Freedom for Your Heart

Learning to Forgive: Freedom for Your Heart

Forgiveness is some of the hardest, holiest work we’ll ever do. It’s not about condoning what happened—it’s about choosing not to carry it anymore. Eventually, we will learn that Learning to Forgive: Freedom for Your Heart.

So many people come to therapy carrying anger they’ve never named, grief they’ve never expressed, or pain they’ve never given themselves permission to feel. Therapy helps you untangle that. It helps you name it, feel it, and finally, release it.

Forgiveness is a process. But the freedom it brings is worth the work.

We often think forgiveness is for the other person—but it’s also for us. Unforgiveness is heavy. It ties us to past hurt and holds our hearts hostage. Forgiveness, however, is a release. It doesn’t always mean reconciliation, but it does mean peace. In therapy, we explore how forgiveness doesn’t happen overnight. It takes grieving, boundaries, truth-telling, and, often, God’s help. He’s the one who softens hardened hearts and helps us do what feels impossible. Forgiveness isn’t weakness—it’s strength fueled by grace.

Practical Tips:

  • Identify one person you need to forgive (maybe even yourself).

  • Write a letter expressing how you feel—whether or not you send it.

  • Set boundaries to protect yourself moving forward.

Faith Perspective:
Jesus modeled radical forgiveness. In Matthew 6, we’re reminded that as we forgive others, we receive freedom too. Forgiveness isn’t just for them—it’s for you.

Reach Out

💛 If you’re navigating life’s hard places and need a safe space to heal, grow, or just breathe—Circle of Hope Counseling Services is here for you.

We offer trauma-informed, faith-filled therapy for individuals, couples, and families.

📞 Reach out today to schedule your first session (KY residents only) or learn more: Circle of Hope Counseling Services.

You don’t have to walk this journey alone. Hope starts here.

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Surviving the Storm: God Is in the Middle of It

Brandi C

Surviving the Storm: God Is in the Middle of It

Surviving the Storm: Holding On When Life Falls Apart

In Surviving the Storm: God Is in the Middle of It, there are seasons when survival feels like the only goal—and that’s okay. Sometimes just getting out of bed, feeding your family, or making it to church is a victory. Surviving the storm doesn’t make you weak; it proves your strength.

You may not feel brave, but survival is brave. God sees your silent tears and the moments you didn’t give up. He’s not asking for perfection—He’s offering presence.

I’ve lived through storms that shook the foundation of everything I thought I believed. I’ve questioned, cried, and collapsed into His arms when I had nothing left. And still, He stayed.

Sometimes the miracle isn’t in the storm stopping—it’s in realizing you’re not alone in the middle of it. God never promised a storm-free life, but He did promise to be our shelter. And often, He sends others to walk beside us as reminders of His love.

Practical Tips:

  • Don’t isolate—reach out to one trusted person for support.

  • Start a “storm journal”—write down prayers, thoughts, and victories (even small ones).

  • Practice deep breathing with Scripture (Ex: Breathe in “Be still,” breathe out “and know that I am God”).

Faith Perspective:
Isaiah 43:2 reminds us, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.” Not if—when. The storms will come, but so will His presence.

💛 If you’re navigating life’s hard places and need a safe space to heal, grow, or just breathe—Circle of Hope Counseling Services is here for you.

We offer trauma-informed, faith-filled therapy for individuals, couples, and families.

📞 Reach out today to schedule your first session (KY residents only) or learn more: Circle of Hope Counseling Services.

You don’t have to walk this journey alone. Hope starts here.

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Resiliency: The Holy Work of Rising Again

Brandi C

Resiliency: The Holy Work of Rising Again

Resiliency isn’t just about bouncing back—it’s about rising stronger, even when everything around you feels broken. Life has a way of shaking us, sometimes to our core. But God never wastes our pain. He meets us in the wreckage, gently gathering the shattered pieces and helping us build something new. Resiliency: The Holy Work of Rising Again.

Therapy creates the space to acknowledge the pain, honor the struggle, and begin rebuilding. It’s holy work. We identify where we’ve been hurt, where we’ve survived, and where we can grow.

In my work as a therapist, I often guide people through the process of rediscovering their inner strength. We talk about what it means to move forward, even when we don’t feel strong. We look back at all the moments you didn’t give up—even when you could have. That’s resilience.

Practical Tips:

  • Make a list of past challenges you’ve survived. Reflect on the tools that helped you.

  • Journal about what “strength” means to you in this season.

  • Learn grounding skills to bring your nervous system back to center when you’re overwhelmed.

Faith Perspective:
James 1:2–4 reminds us to consider it pure joy when we face trials—not because the trial itself is joyful, but because of what God produces in us through it. Even in hardship, God is working.

💛 If you’re navigating life’s hard places and need a safe space to heal, grow, or just breathe—Circle of Hope Counseling Services is here for you.

We offer trauma-informed, faith-filled therapy for individuals, couples, and families.

📞 Reach out today to schedule your first session (KY residents only) or learn more: Circle of Hope Counseling Services.

You don’t have to walk this journey alone. Hope starts here.

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