“Inspiration to climb the right mountain: Written by David Brooks, this is a thoughtful look into qualities of a moral life. He offers endless quotes from a variety of writers. This book is a deep look at what will give you meaning. It is inspirational and tangible. Almost immediately you are hit with the thoughtfulness […]
“Feelings can pass after 90 seconds” Quite a title and sub time. Dr. Rosenberg writes this book as a summary of her clinical approach and years of experience. She lays out a detailed plan for how you can ride a wave of feelings and find freedom on the other side. She suggests a feeling will […]
https://www.amazon.com/Just-Breathe-Mastering-Breathwork-Business/dp/B06WVF11XX/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=just+breathe&qid=1587733787&sr=8-1 “Are you breathing right? “ This book is a presentation of several breathing philosophies and techniques. The author directs us to consider our breath and how we are using it. Then, he shows us several breathing techniques that masters use. This book is an invitation to try different ways to breath. I think the […]
https://www.amazon.com/Mating-Captivity-Reconciling-Erotic-Domestic/dp/B000IB0EYI/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=mating+in+captivity&qid=1586443276&s=audible&sr=1-1 Is that what my spouse thinks about sex?” This is a book about sexual desire. Esther Perel is a speaker, author and sex therapist, and she pulled from her years of experience counseling couples to write this book. She details the path of intimacy and desire for couples. Perel has excellent insights into couples […]
“Love explained!” This is a foundational marriage book. It was published in 2008 but I think it still holds up. In the first three chapters, the author describes love and the attachment bond. There is research that says feeling loved helps the immune system. Conversely, there is physical, mental and emotional impact when we threaten […]
“A practice for such a time as this!” This book is an easy to read introduction to Dr. Siegel’s trademark practice called, The Wheel of Awareness. The Wheel of Awareness is a mindfulness activity with profound affects on your life. In this book, Dr. Siegel offers a helpful explanation of the science behind this mediation. […]
Emotional Agility: Get Unstuck, Embrace Change and Thrive in Work and LifeAuthor: Susan David“This book is a clear guide to stopping the “hook” that leads to bad thinking” After reading this book, I have tried to pay more attention to what hooks my thoughts, that influences my day. I am realizing that it is much easier […]
We are excited to say we have made it to the lake shore! I (Dan) have always loved the big lake, especially after attending Hope, where I fell in love with the city of Holland. After graduate school took me to various cities it had been a dream of mine to live and work in […]
What better time to dive into a new book than during Michigan’s beautiful summer months? As you head to the beach, the cottage, the pool, or the campfire this summer think about adding one of these books to your list and reading along with the therapists here at Alliance! Family / Parenting –No-Drama Discipline: The […]
unsplash-logofreestocks.org By Julie Schillim, LLP, LPCAdolescence, a time in life where exploring independence and social identity are often confronted. It’s a time when teens are confronted with the challenges of a world that is continually increasing in online social access and platforms. Terms such as “cyberbullying” have become more common in homes, schools, and counseling offices […]
By Heather Miller-Edwardson, LPC, LLMFTIt is oftentimes in the wake of tragedy that we begin to create space for the tough conversations. With recent tragedies in our communities nationwide, we are beginning to discuss our approach to mental health care. Too often individuals face significant barriers to receiving mental health care. Helping Professionals have continued […]
Attached. The New Science of Adult Attachment and How it Can Help You Find- and Keep- LoveAuthor: Amir Levine, and Rachel Heller“Do you want to know why your spouse doesn’t pay attention to you? Attached is the science of love.”Attached is an easy to read summary of Attachment theory. Attachment theory is a helpful model […]
Book Review: GIRLS and SEX: Navigating the complicated new landscape by Peggy Orenstein TOPIC: Parenting, Teenagers, Sex/SexualityBy David Burke“This is what your daughter is facing!”The older generation often worries and doesn’t understand the younger generations. This book is a helpful compilation of young women’s attitudes and reflections about sex. It’s scary and eye opening. It’s […]
Book Review: Untangled: Guiding Teenage Girls Through the Seven Transitions into Adulthood by Lisa Damour, PhD TOPIC: Parenting, teenagersBy: David BurkeA must read for parents of teenage girls:As a father of two teenage girls I was strongly encouraged to read this book. At best, teenage girls are loving, caring and tons of fun, at […]
Vance OsterhoutBy Chad Boehm, LMSWADHD, Autism, oppositional defiant disorder, depression and anxiety are some of the most common diagnosable childhood disorders. However, knowing what your child or teen is experiencing may be difficult to decipher as symptoms of these may overlap. Kids, teenagers, parents, guardians and primary care takers are often left with more questions […]
As a young boy growing up in the 80s, one of my favorite things to do was to sit down with my Dad, pop in the old VHS recording of Star Wars: Episode IV- A New Hope and sit and watch Luke Skywalker and the Rebel Alliance valiantly wage their battle against The Dark Side.I […]
In today’s post I thought it might be helpful to take a moment and focus on the attitude of gratitude in our lives. The daily grind, our thoughts, and our experiences can often be overwhelming. We’re constantly bombarded with commitments, desires, and distractions. We’re constantly thinking about how we can get ahead in life or […]
Recently we announced our new partnership with Byron Community Ministries (BCM). This is an exciting step for us as we build a reputation in the communities we serve. BCM is an ideal partner because we both value compassion and hospitality. BCM has served Byron Center by connecting those in need with practical support. ACG is […]
By Krista LeinbergerIt is fitting that during the first month of spring, we clinicians at Alliance join with others around the world to remember those survivors of sexual assault. We have a desire to engage in the ongoing conversation about how to best support children, women and men who have lived through this type of […]
By Heather Miller-EdwardsonThe National Sexual Violence Resource Center reports, on average in the United States, 500 women are sexually assaulted every day. One in five women and one in 71 men will experience sexual assault throughout their lifetime. Women ages 20-24 hold the highest risk for sexual assault. Sexual assault as the United States Department […]
Are you investing in your Emotional 401k? – Healthy Relationships Part 2 This is Part 2 of several posts on Your Emotional 401k – Investing in Healthy Relationships. You can find Part 1 here. In this post we will discuss what emotional currency is.Emotional currency is the “money” we use when we interact in the relationships we […]
This blog was first posted by Nathan Hansen, LPC at http://nathanhansenlpc.com/investing-in-healthy-relationships/ and is used here with permission of the author.This is the first of a series of posts on managing and investing your emotional currency so you can have healthy relationships. When you are done reading these posts, I hope you have an idea of […]
As a therapist, I often hear that bedtime is one of the most anxious experiences of the day. The distractions are all gone, your day is over, and its time for rest. Yet sleep can remain elusive because you are alone with your thoughts, and usually, they are not the pleasant ones. Instead of sleep, […]
Every February, our attention to LOVE is hallmarked by Valentine’s Day. Advertisers prey on the tired narrative of inept husbands and boyfriends failing to adequately adorn their partners with reminders of their affection for them. Flowers, chocolates, PajamaGrams, and pre-written greeting cards become romantic currency. And couples everywhere seek to honor their relationships though intentional […]
Have you heard of Temptation bundling?As a counselor, one of our primary roles is to help bring change in someone’s life. This is a great privilege— witnessing a client move from depression to hope, anxiety to peace, and from shame to acceptance.CHANGE can be difficult. As an attempt to avoid change, someone once said to […]
In the midst of Christmas parties and New Year celebrations, we hope you are enjoying the holiday season. For some, this time of year is less of a party and more of a time of intense stress. Often, so much time over the holiday is spent running from one commitment to another, and not enough […]
With the recent data dump from Ashley Madison, we have all been made aware there are a lot of people interested in taking their sexuality to extra marital relationships. Ashley Madison provides an unprecedented level of ease and availability for individuals to express their sexuality with people other than their spouses. And, according to reports, […]
“The shoe that fits one person pinches another; there is no recipe for living that suits all cases.”– Carl Jung, Modern Man in Search of a SoulWhat does it mean to “live well?”Does living well mean making lots of money, having a big family, being happy, helping others, staying out of trouble with the law, […]
What happens to love? When we are dating, when relationships are young, there is so much energy and excitement. Then something happens. I heard it once described that men have an allergic reaction to metal on their finger! A change occurs in the relationship and instead of that fun exciting love, there is this dullness […]
Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come.”– Anne Lamont, Bird by BirdHope is one of the most vulnerable human experiences Vulnerable because having hope puts us at risk of being let down. For example, most spouses make vows to […]
