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14Sep, 2023
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Book Review

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It Didn’t Start With You – Mark Wolynn (author) by Linda Luecke MA, LPC During one of my counseling sessions, my client mentioned the book I was reviewing. The subtitle of the book – How Inherited Family Trauma Shapes Who We Are And How to End the Cycle- resonates with most of us. At some point in our lives, I believe we all have experienced some kind of trauma from years ago, as early as childhood. The question is: Has the trauma been identified, explored, and resolved? This transformational book […]
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8Jul, 2023
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Talking or Medicine?

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Talking or Medicine? Getting the best help for your current situation may bring you to the age-old question of the “best” type of therapy.  Will you recover better with talking therapy or a prescription for medication? Many people start by considering what they have the quickest access to obtain.  Do you have a good relationship with your primary care doctor and is it fairly easy to go for an appointment?  Does your employer offer an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)?  Have you had a prior experience with therapy or with a […]
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7Jul, 2023
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Minding Your Children

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One of my pet peeves is parents who do not mind their children. As a parent, I am constantly watching my two-year old son when he is around other children.  If he takes something that does not belong to him or pushes someone, I am quick to take care of the situation and apologize to the other child for what my son did to him or her.  I avoid making excuses for my son’s behaviors. At the mall, playground, and even at church,  I’ve noticed some parents are off into […]
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6Jul, 2023
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Keeping Your Children Involved!

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When the time comes to enroll your child in an extra-curricular activity consider the positive aspects it provides:   Team sports help with socialization.  It may be an opportunity to make a friend they can do things with outside the team practices and games.   Music helps with creativity.   Drama helps with self expression.   Increased self esteem occurs over time as your child becomes more competent at the particular activity.   And, as you review each of these activities the positive attributes noted are not exclusive to each activity.  […]
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5Jul, 2023
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Should I Stay or Should I Go?

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The above title is from a Clash song about one’s indecisiveness in breaking off a bad relationship.  He knows that if he leaves there will be trouble but the decision to stay would be even worse.  Nonetheless, the songwriter notes that it is up to the partner (who appears to be controlling the relationship) to make the decision in spite of the troubles they are having. I have counseled individuals who have been or are currently caught up in an unhealthy relationship.  These relationships include married, engaged, uncommitted couples and […]
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3Jul, 2023
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ADHD Summer

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ADHD Summer As the song says, “Summertime and the living is easy!”  Families everywhere breathe a sigh of relief when school ends.  This may be especially true when a child struggles with attention concerns that interfere with school success. As summer break settles in for real with Fourth of July celebrations and the joy of summer activities, it may be a good time to think about how any family can use summer to help children develop lifelong skills and habits.  Take a few minutes and list a few things that […]
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1Jul, 2023
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Good Customer Service Is Not Extinct

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I’m simply amazed at the lack of customer service no matter where you go. It seems like customer service has gone the way of the dinosaur.  I think we all have experienced bad customer service (just a few examples) – no one around to help you employees chatting to each other and ignoring you simply rude or unfriendly or not accommodating no greeting or smile to acknowledge your presence at a restaurant, the server doesn’t come back to check up on you until they hand you the bill slow service […]
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29Jun, 2023
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Relationship Pointers

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When in a long term relationship or marriage the following information can be beneficial:   1)  Communicate openly about what you want from your partner.  Ask him/her what they want from the relationship.  The purpose of these questions will be to figure out if you are both on the same page in terms of what you want from the relationship.   2)  Do not allow disagreements to fester.  Find a quiet place and talk about the issue openly one at a time.  Use I messages such as I think, I […]
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28Jun, 2023
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Marital Communication – Part 3

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As I mentioned in a previous blog, I will be highlighting each of the five love languages noted in Gary Chapman’s best-selling book “The Five Love Languages” in the next several blogs.    Love Language #1 Words of Affirmation   Chapman talks about three kinds of words we can communicate with our spouses: encouraging words, kind words, and humble words. Encouraging words help our spouse reach their potential in the face of doubt, lack of motivation, insecurity.  We pay attention to our husband or wife’s strengths and share with them our […]
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24Jun, 2023
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Words to Live By

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Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny. —Lao Tzu (Chinese philosopher  c.600 B.C.E.)   Self-awareness is key to our mental health.  Take time to examine your life and see what needs to be fine tuned.  Think about the legacy you want to leave behind for others to remember you by.     Linda Luecke  MA, LPC
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