The Lifeworks Group, Inc.

By: Christine Hammond, LMHC Sam and Blake have been married for 12 years. Their blended marriage includes a child from a previous relationship for both of them and two of their own. Both parents have shared custody of their child so scheduling anything can be very difficult depending on the reasonableness of the ex-partner. Between the soccer practices, dance classes, and piano lessons, just finding time to come to counseling without the kids was a struggle. But they did it because their marriage was falling apart. The fighting had escalated into threats of divorce, the kids were withdrawing for fear of another divorce, and the tension in the house was unbearable. As a result, Sam and Blake, both professionals, found tons of excuses to avoid home and remain at work longer. They were literally two ships that might pass in the night but definitely would avoid even passing if they could. Strangely enough, they agreed on all the major issues in life, including paren...

By: Cara Griffin-Locker What is Love? Is it an action? A thought? Or maybe just a feeling? According to the Bible, “ Love is patient, kind, does not envy, does not boast and is not proud.   Love does not dishonor others nor is not self-seeking. Love is not easily angered or keeps no record of wrongs.   Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in truth.   It always protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres.” (1 Cor. 13:4-7) This is something to think about as we approach the famous Hallmark Holiday.   For most of us, Valentine’s Day is a big day that includes the red carpet treatment. From flowers to cards, chocolates and dinner it is the one day to go above and beyond to show the one you love that you truly care, right? Wrong. Many of us have the wrong impression of love.   Certainly it is nice to be showered with things on Valentine’s Day but what about the other 364 days? What about showing love without using material items? Now if you are a pessimist y...

By Matt W. Sandford, LMHC We’ve all seen enough movies to have a glamorous view of the heights of romantic love. And many of us have had that experience of falling into the heady swoon of being caught up in love. But then, you get married. I’m kidding, although there is sort of a ring of truth in that as well, isn’t there? There are all kinds of reasons for this change, some good and some not so good. Some of the reasons are just due to stages of life, like having children for instance, and some are surely due to outside factors and stress level. Let’s take a look at some of the common causes and then review how you can combat then. 1.       Life is really busy, and stressed filled and romance falls by the wayside, or I just don’t have the energy to pursue it. 2.       We have small kids. Duh! We can barely make it through it each day. 3.       There are resentments or disappointments be...