You are invited to join Laura Williams, licensed professional counselor and co-host of ‘Out of the Dark’ with Mandisa as she tackles some of the tough issues in mental health and how they relate to your faith journey.Encountering You will dive deeper into topics like trauma, struggling with my mental heath as a Christian, what are boundaries and how do I grow from them, shame, abuse, dealing with resentment and anger, and more. Each episode will be full of information and include reflection, so be prepared to be challenged, but know that if you're are willing to move, even an inch, change will be inevitable. New episodes of Encountering You will be available every Wednesday starting on April 6th so make sure to subscribe as we embark on a journey of hearing the places God wants to bring you in your story.
The Encountering You podcast has truly been a source of motivation and inspiration for me to embark on my own counseling journey. For some time, I have known that I needed the courage to start this journey, and this podcast has provided that push. I am determined to do the work, invest the time, and remain consistent in my efforts. What makes this podcast even more valuable is the sense of normalcy it brings by reminding me that I am not alone in my struggles. I can only hope that my own counselor will be as exceptional as Laura, as finding the right fit is my biggest fear. However, with faith in the Lord and the encouragement from this podcast, I am diving in with trust and gratitude. God bless you, Laura!
One of the best aspects of The Encountering You podcast is how Laura provides insightful perspectives on mental and emotional wellness from a Christian worldview. This approach adds a unique layer to her counseling expertise and appeals to a wide range of listeners who can benefit from her weekly boost to their mental health and self-awareness. Laura's honesty and transparency are commendable, creating an atmosphere of trust between herself and her audience.
On the other hand, it would be remiss not to mention that access to Christian counselors can be challenging in certain areas like California, where appointments fill up quickly or availability may be limited. This struggle hinders those seeking therapy within their religious beliefs from receiving prompt care. However, while waiting for therapy sessions, The Encountering You podcast does serve as a valuable resource by offering valuable insights that complement ongoing counseling journeys.
In conclusion, The Encountering You podcast has been an invaluable asset on my journey towards healing and personal growth. Laura's unique perspective as both a counselor and someone who has undergone counseling herself creates relatability when listening to her words of wisdom. This podcast demonstrates that counseling is a blessing and serves as a reminder that its purpose is ultimately to bring us closer to our Savior, Jesus. As I continue to face my struggles as a Christian, this podcast reminds me of my strength and the unwavering presence of God in every step of the way. The authenticity and relatability found within this podcast make it a must-listen for anyone seeking encouragement and guidance.
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Join the mission! Visit donate.accessmore.com to help fund more episodes and shows like this. Does mental health ever become a crutch more than healing? In today's episode, Laura will discuss how the answer is yes, and it happens to all of us. She will be talking about the role of discomfort in the healing process, when mental health becomes a shield from feeling that discomfort, how to identify when avoidance interrupts growth and some tools to help navigate when you get stuck. You can subscribe today at AccessMore or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode.
Discover the way ahead at Indiana Wesleyan University. Learn more here. Have you ever wondered if it's ok to have boundaries in marriage? Today, Laura will be talking about how it's not only ok but it's actually good for your marriage. She will talk about what boundaries in marriage are, how to establish them, what to do if there are obstacles, and how it will actually benefit you and your marriage. You can subscribe today on AccessMore or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode. Learn more about Hope for the Heart's upcoming Mental Health and the Church event here.
Discover the way ahead at Indiana Wesleyan University. Learn more here. Do you ever find it easier just to keep doing what you're doing, rather than what's healthy? In today's episode, Laura is going to have a frank conversation about why you might feel this way. She will be unpacking identifying how these situations are indicative of unhealed woundings, how to connect with this inner "teen" and ways to use the technique of reparenting to help you heal. You can subscribe today at AccessMore or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode. Learn more about Hope for the Heart's upcoming Mental Health and the Church event here.
Discover the way ahead at Indiana Wesleyan University. Learn more here. Do you ever wonder how trauma might manifest in your adult life in ways you don't expect? Today, Laura will be talking about what to look out for. Whether it's perfectionism, inner criticism, difficulty with emotional regulation, struggle in relationships, she is going to help you identify them and give you some practical tools to navigate healing. You can subscribe today at AccessMore or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode.
Discover the way ahead at Indiana Wesleyan University. Learn more here. Have you ever had trouble identifying your feelings? In today's episode, Laura is going to talk about one of the major reasons this might be difficult. She will discuss what carried feelings are, how to identify them and what to do with them. You can subscribe today at AccessMore or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode.
Discover the way ahead at Indiana Wesleyan University. Learn more here. Have you ever wondered how to tell the difference between anxiety and intuition? In today's episode, Laura will be discussing the difference between the two, how to identify it in your life, and how to strengthen intuition and calm anxiety. You can subscribe today on AccessMore or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode! Find out more from Hope For The Heart Here.
Do you feel highly offended? Or do you find yourself offending others? In today's episode, Laura is going to talk about this very important topic. She will talk about what it means to be offensive and what it means to be offended, how to manage extremes, and what to do if I have offended someone or am offended by someone. You can subscribe today on AccessMore or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode.
Discover the way ahead at Indiana Wesleyan University. Learn more here. Did you know that you can hold someone accountable without blaming or holding a grudge? There is a very big different between acknowledging hurt that someone has caused and holding a grudge. In today's episode, Laura is going to discuss the differences and why it is important, and how to move from a grudge into accountability. You can subscribe today on AccessMore or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss and episode.
Wondering what all this reparenting talk is about? In today's episode, Laura is going to discuss reparenting, why it's vital to your healing, the biology behind it, and actually how to do it. It's an important part of your healing journey so you are not going to want to miss this episode. You can subscribe today on Accessmore or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode.
Visit donate.accessmore.com to give to help fund more episodes and shows like this. Thanks for listening, be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode and for more shows like this, check out AccessMore!
Discover the way ahead at Indiana Wesleyan University.Do you ever wonder why it is difficult to feel the fruit of the spirit? Many people struggle with these because they haven't tackled wounds in their stories. Without certain skills, the fruit of the spirit may feel out of reach. Today, Laura will unpack the last four fruits of the spirit and talk about why you may struggle. You can subscribe today on AccessMore or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode.
Discover the way ahead at Indiana Wesleyan University.Liberty University can help you get there. Learn more here. Do you ever wonder why it is difficult to feel the fruits of the spirit? Many people struggle with these because they haven't tackled wounds in their stories. Without certain skills, the fruits of the spirit may feel out of reach. Today, Laura will unpack the first five fruits of the spirit and talk about why you may struggle. You can subscribe today on Accessmore or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode.
Liberty University can help you get there. Learn more here. Do feel comfortable in your body or do you struggle with feeling beautiful? In today's episode, Laura is going to tackle the complicated topic of beauty and modesty, how we tend to confuse the two, how modesty has been protrayed and what it really is. You can subscribe today on AccessMore or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss and episode.
Organization and order are important aspects of our life. Many people think the need for structure is the same as the need for control. These are not the same thing. In today's episode, Laura will talk about why ritual, rhythm and routine are all very important aspects of feeling settled in our lives. You can subscribe today on AccessMore or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode.
Did you know that the collision of faith and counseling can actually make your relationship with the Lord grow deeper and stronger? In today's episode, Laura will talk about how the idea that counseling takes away from your faith or that if you need counseling your faith isn't strong enough is absolutely. It true! The Lord wants us to seek counsel and today we will look at the myths of this stigma and how to encourage our communities to embrace health around these beliefs. You can subscribe today on AccessMore or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode.
Fund conversations that matter: donate.accessmore.com Did you know there is a difference between being a good person and being a safe person? In today's episode, Laura is going to unpack the difference between acting like a good person and truly being a safe person. She will discuss why being safe is so important, what are the key traits of a person who is safe, and most importantly, how to be a safe person yourself. You can subscribe on AccessMore or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode.
Fund conversations that matter: donate.accessmore.com Are you stuck in the comparison trap? Feeling like you can never measure up? Or sometimes feeling like I have to be better than someone else to be good enough? In today's episode, Laura is going to talk about how prevalent this is, why we do it, and how to grow through it. You can subscribe on AccessMore or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode.
Did you know that loneliness is one of the primary things that people present with in counseling? Many people come into therapy feeling like they are the only one that struggles. You are not alone. In today's episode, Laura is going to talk about her own story and how your journey in counseling can help you connect to yourself, to your story, to others and primarily, to God. You can subscribe today on Accessmore or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode.The Forge Movie. Click here for theaters and showtimes.
Do feel exhausted, irritable, anxious, or just want a break? You may be at risk for burnout. Burnout sneaks up on all of us and it is important to recognize the signs. In today's episode, Laura is going to talk about how to identify when you are getting close to needing to slow down, even if you feel like you can't. You can subscribe today on AccessMore or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode. "Overflowing Joy” can be purchased at OverFlowingJoyBook.com https://www.bhpublishinggroup.com/product/overflowing-joy-2/#flipbook-sampler/Wherever You Go I Want You To Know is available here. Save 25% by using code: Go25
Did you know that you can impact someone else in your life with your own nervous system? Whether it is the cashier at the grocery store or your closest relationship, your nervous system is impacted by and will impact other people. In today's episode, Laura will talk about several different examples of where this will show up from casual acquaintances and workplace relationships to your best friend or significant other. You can subscribe today at AccessMore or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode. "Overflowing Joy” can be purchased at OverFlowingJoyBook.com https://www.bhpublishinggroup.com/product/overflowing-joy-2/#flipbook-sampler/Wherever You Go I Want You To Know is available here. Save 25% by using code: Go25
By now you have likely heard about the passing of my dear friend and Out of the Dark co-host, Mandisa. In light of this, we are going to pause for a bit to honor her and take the time to grieve her loss. We'll be back in May, but if you would like more resources on how to navigate grief, below you'll find links to previous episodes to help you walk through this journey. I look forward to being back with you soon. Previous Episodes on Grief: Dealing with Despair Is it Healthy to Regret: Grief About Time Lost The Radical Truth: Healing Takes a Long Time Containment-When My Feelings are Too Much
Do you consider the stress of parenting to be overwhelming or sometimes too much? It's possible that you are having reactions to your children that are more about trauma than parenting. In today's episode, Laura will talk about how stress in parenting can easily trigger parts of your story and create unnecessary activation in your nervous system and then give you resources on how to cope. You can subscribe today on AccessMore or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode. "Overflowing Joy” can be purchased at OverFlowingJoyBook.com
Do you often feel overwhelmed and wonder if this feeling will ever go away? Today, Laura is going to talk about traumatic stress and how it can actually show up in your day to day life. She is going to discuss how to identify traumatic stress and give you tools to help heal it when you are experiencing it. You can subscribe today on Access More or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode. "Overflowing Joy” can be purchased at OverFlowingJoyBook.com
We all talk about stress but do you really know what stress is and how to manage it? Today starts a month long series about stress. April is stress awareness month so what better time than that to really unpack it. Laura is going to talk about what the risks of stress are, the window of tolerance and how to manage it, and ways to cope with stress. Most of all, she is going to help you understand that we don't have to wait for stressors to go away to feel the peace of God! You can subscribe today on Access More or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode. "Overflowing Joy” can be purchased at OverFlowingJoyBook.com
As we draw near to the celebration of Easter, we are going to examine the lens with which you look at life. Much like glasses, the lenses can either make things clearer or cloudier. Today, Laura is going to talk about the importance of the lens we look at life through, how to keep it clear, and how living "in light" of the cross is so different than living in the "possibility" of the cross. You can subscribe today on AccessMore or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode. "Overflowing Joy” can be purchased at OverFlowingJoyBook.com
Did you know that you can experience a form of trauma just from watching the news? Vicarious or secondhand trauma happens when we overidentify with someone else's trauma. Many people mistake it for empathy when it is not. In today's episode, Laura will talk about why this happens and give you resources to help yourself create peace in a seemingly chaotic world. You can subscribe today on AccessMore or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode. "Overflowing Joy” can be purchased at OverFlowingJoyBook.com
Anger and rage are two things that most people deal with but not all people acknowledge. During the season of Lent, Laura is going to focus on the things in life that can be maddening sometimes, all through the lens of the hope that the Resurrection of Jesus brings us on a daily basis. In today's episode, she is going to discuss anger and rage, how it looks different for men and women, different ways rage can come out, and then how to process both. You can subscribe today on AccessMore or wherever you listen to podcasts."Overflowing Joy” can be purchased at OverFlowingJoyBook.com
Fund conversations that matter: donate.accessmore.com Did you know that despair is an emotion that most everyone feels at some point in their life? Laura is going to use the season of Lent to talk about the things in life that create a feeling of chaos and confusion in the light of the truth and hope that the Resurrection of Jesus brings us. In today's episode, Laura is going to discuss the idea of despair, what it is, the role of hope, and how to reparent the parts of you that feel despair. You can subscribe today on AccessMore or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode.
Fund conversations that matter: donate.accessmore.com Do you feel selfish when you prioritize yourself in your relationship? In today's episode, Laura is going to talk about how to love yourself well in the context of a relationship. She is going to talk about self-care, boundaries, and towing the line between being selfish and prioritizing self. You can subscribe today on AccessMore or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode.
Did you know that trauma shows up in our relationships? There are 3 different ways this can happen...trauma from our family of origin, trauma from previous relationships, and trauma from the relationship we are currently in. In today's episode, Laura is going to talk about each one of these and give you tools to navigate how trauma is entering into your relationships. You can subscribe today on AccessMore or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode.
What is unconditional love really? Today, Laura is going to talk about what unconditional love is and what it is not. You are going to learn ways to identify unhealthy behaviors in your relationships and ways to grow your ability to have unconditional positive regard with the people closest to you. You can subscribe today on AccessMore or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode.
What does it really take to maintain healthy relationships? In today's episode, Laura is going to discuss 6 practices that you can start today in order to grow a healthy relationship. From healthy communication to having fun, these practices can help you in whatever relationships you find yourself in. You can subscribe today on AccessMore or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode.
In today's episode, Laura is going to talk about the idea of spiritual bypassing. Many of us don't realize that when parents over-spiritualize things or offer bible verses for solutions, this is actually a form of spiritual abuse. If you grew up in a Christian family, you don't want to miss this episode. You can subscribe today on AccessMore or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode.
In today's episode, Laura is going to revisit the idea of regulation. Most people think they are regulated when they are actually not! Listen today to find out how you can tell whether you are or you aren't, and what to do about it! You can subscribe today on AccessMore or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode.
Why is it so hard to keep a New Year's resolution? Today, Laura will talk about difficulties with creating change and forming habits, ways to combat that, and encouragement to help you keep making your way through 2024! You can subscribe today on AccessMore or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode.
Do you ever wonder why your New Year's Resolution doesn't stick? Maybe it's because you are not actually making the one that you need. In today's episode, Laura will discuss the origin of the New Year's Resolution, why it doesn't work, and help you learn how to make the resolution that will actually help you! You can subscribe today on AccessMore or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode.RELATED POSTS:Healthy New Year's Resolutions
Hey there! I am taking the week off to be with my family in my hometown in Florida. I hope that you all have had a wonderful Christmas and I can't wait to be with you in the New Year!
Are you having trouble feeling "the reason for the season"? Today is the last in a series of episodes on the season of Advent, and why it might be difficult to find hope, peace, joy, and love in this season. Laura is going to talk about the different types of love and why it is important to discern these in a way to develop more love for God, others, and self not just in this season, but always. You can subscribe today on AccessMore or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode. RELATED POSTS:Fourth Week of Advent: Love
Are you having trouble feeling "the reason for the season"? In this season of Advent, Laura is going to take you through some ways to develop more hope, peace, joy, and love during the holidays. In today's episode, she is going to talk about joy, what it actually is, why you might not have it, and ways to help you develop a sense of joy, not just for this season, but always. You can subscribe on AccessMore or wherever you listen to podcasts, so you never miss an episode. See the Miracle of Christmas only on Sight and Sound TV.
Are you having trouble feeling "the reason for the season"? In this season of Advent, Laura is going to walk you through some ways to find more hope, peace, joy, and love. In today's episode, she is going to talk about peace and how you can develop it amidst chaos. She will also discuss why you might have trouble with it. You can subscribe today on AccessMore or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode. RELATED POSTS:Second Week of Advent: Peace
Are you having trouble feeling "the reason for the season"? In the next four weeks, Laura is going to walk you through the season of Advent and help you see why this might be the case. In today's episode, she is going to talk about hope, why it is hard for us to have hope, and walk you through a few ways to develop more hope during a hard season. You can subscribe today on AccessMore or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode. RELATED POSTS:First Week of Advent: Hope
Going home for the holidays? It can be a challenging time for many people. In today's episode, Laura is going to talk about acceptance, protecting your mental wellness, what to do if you are triggered, and how to set healthy boundaries. You can subscribe today on AccessMore or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode.
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