Christi Young, LPC

🌿 1. “The Safe Nest” Drawing Purpose: To explore safety, support, and God’s protection as she prepares for motherhood. Materials: Paper • Colored pencils • Pen Steps: Draw a large nest in the center of the page. Inside the nest, draw a small egg. Label it “Baby.” Around the egg, draw 5–7 supporting twigs.On each twig, write a source of support: “God’s presence” “My partner” “My mom/friend” “Rest” “Prayer” “My instincts” “My doctor/midwife” Add soft colors to represent comfor

1. Create Low-Pressure Points of Connection Fives love connection—but they fear being overwhelmed. So the key is predictable, light, intentional touchpoints rather than constant check-ins. Examples: One thoughtful text a day: “Thinking of you—how’s your energy today?” Sending a photo of something meaningful rather than long paragraphs. A shared emoji code (🌿 = “I’m thinking of you,” ⚡ = “long day,” ⛅ = “need space but I’m okay”). These are small enough not to intrude, but w

Have you ever been caught off guard by someone’s intrusive question? Maybe they asked about your finances: “Is your car paid off?” Or about your relationships, childhood, or sexual history. Their curiosity might have felt like a spotlight you didn’t ask for. The truth is, prying is rarely about you—it’s about the other person. Sometimes it comes from comparison, as if your story could measure their worth. Sometimes it’s boredom, gossip, or even unresolved pain they haven’t fa

There is a unique ache that rises in a mother’s heart when her friends don’t understand what she’s walking through. The sleepless nights. The unpredictable emotions. The invisible weight of caring for a tiny life while trying to stay connected to your own. Feeling misunderstood can stir anger, loneliness, and even resentment. It can make you feel like you’re carrying a world no one else can see. But here’s the beautiful truth: your emotions are not signs of failure—they are s

A Christian Counseling Reflection for Wives When a husband says, “I used because I didn’t feel appreciated,” it can land with a heavy emotional blow. Many wives hear this as your fault , even if he doesn’t say those words directly. But beneath that statement is a deeper spiritual and emotional truth: A person’s choice to cope in unhealthy ways is never caused by someone else’s lack of appreciation. It comes from unmet needs, unresolved pain, and disconnection from one’s own

“Reclaiming My God-Given Worth” Mandala Purpose: To help you gently externalize the messages you absorbed during the abusive relationship, and slowly reclaim the truth of your God-given value, dignity, and belovedness in Christ. Tone: Gentle. Trauma-informed. No pressure to “move on.”This is about honoring the wounds and rebuilding identity safely with God. 🌱 1. Create a Circle of Safety Draw a large circle.Inside the border, write one of these grounding verses: “The Lord

Some people carry a quiet, lifelong fear that a parent will disapprove of who they are—how they feel, how they express themselves, or the choices they’ve made. It’s not loud fear. It’s subtle, shaping the way they show up in relationships. It creates an internal pressure to hide emotions, dial themselves down, or constantly check if they’re “too much.” This fear doesn’t make you weak. It makes you human. And God meets you right here. Why Parental Disapproval Cuts So Deep God

When you’re overloaded, it can feel natural to reach for a glass of wine or a cigarette for quick relief. Not because you’re weak, but because those habits once helped you survive something hard. But deep down you know this: You were made for a steadier, gentler kind of peace. A peace that doesn’t leave you feeling disappointed, guilty, or disconnected from the strength God is forming in you. This is not about shame. This is about offering your stressed-out body and aching h

Parenting a teenager is holy and humbling work. Teens can be loving, insightful, thoughtful—and then, in a moment of overwhelm, throw out words that feel like arrows: “You don’t get me.”“You’re ruining my life.”“You don’t care about anything I feel.”“Everyone else has better parents.”“Just leave me alone.” These words come fast, hot, and sharp. Even the most grounded parent feels a sting. But beneath the intensity is a teenager who is still learning emotional regulation, iden

1. The Three-Part Check-In Draw three sections for: Protector Part Hopeful Part Spirit-Led Self Reflect in each section: What is this part afraid of? What does it want for me? How does it try to protect me? What would it say if it felt safe? Close with a simple prayer:“Lord, let my Spirit-led Self lead my decisions in peace.” 2. “What’s the Real Fear?” Journaling Map Prompts: What feels risky about letting someone see the real me? What past experiences taught me dating = chao