Author: Dominick Flarey

Christian Counseling Certification Program: Counseling and Guiding Christians Through Discernment

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Christian Counseling Certification Program: Guiding Christians Through Discernment

When various inclinations or choices come to one at a macro or micro level, one in some cases needs to make a moral judgment on the choice.  In some cases, the conscience can determine the value of the choice especially if the conscience is formed properly in accordance with God and his commandments.  Sometimes, however, feelings and inclinations are more difficult to ascertain and the issue of discernment becomes critical. In these cases, counselors need to guide Christians through discernment.  In these cases, St. Ignatius lays out ground work for pastors, Christian Counselors and those in ministry to help guide those in spiritual confusion.
In regards to temptations and inclinations, St. Ignatius points out that those lost in sin are

usually tempted via obvious pleasures that the person enjoys.  On the contrary, however, those who possess sound judgment are tempted with remorse over the slightest pleasure.  In these ways the spirit exploits one and torments the other.  Discernment is needed in regards to the morality of the individual to understand the tactic and motive of the enemy.   The spirits of good will encourage and give consolation when one seeks spiritual perfection but the spirits of evil will induce doubt and desolation for one who attempts to purify himself.  These stages of desolation and consolation are extreme opposites in the spiritual life.  One who can discern desolation as from the evil one, should endure the hardship to learn spiritual patience and offer his or her cross to God.  These desolations also bring one to an understanding of how truly fragile human nature is without God.  In these fashions when tempted via desolation, one should remain steadfast in his original plan and pray for the grace to overcome the spirit of evil.
It is the nature of evil to corrupt via desolations and false consolations.  St. Ignatius makes note that the evil one, like an opposing commander, analyzes an individual and focuses on the weakest point of one’s defense.  In this regard, one must be alert and always steadfast even in consolation because the evil one can deceive.  First and foremost, God and good spirits cause genuine happiness in the soul, while the evil one causes confusion and sadness.  While God and the good spirits give true consolations, the evil one will attempt via deceit to manifest true consolations.  In this way, he diversifies his attack through not only desolation but also through trickery of an illusionary good.  How can one discern if this good is truly good or an illusion?  St. Ignatius teaches pastors, priests and other Christian Counselors many ways to identify false consolations.    St. Ignatius points out that the beginning, middle and end should tend to wholly what is only good.  If train of thought or motion leads one down a slippery slope of eventual evil, then it is not from God, but Satan.  This is also true when the initial peace and harmony become weakened via confusion and noise.   One can also sense the signs of the demonic by the similarity of the soul it wreaks havoc upon.  If of likened desire, the evil spirit can enter into one’s mind quietly without notice because of the shared values, but when an evil spirit is different, his presence is immediately heard and seen because of the sensitivity of the man’s conscience.
In these regards, Christian Counseling should attempt to utilize discernment processes in helping and aiding others in the constant spiritual battle over the souls of men.  Christian Counselors can be of great help and aid in directing people down moral and good paths via good discernment and understanding of a spiritual child’s soul and the intents of other spirits.
If you are interested in the Christian Counseling Certification Program, please review it.

How to Counsel the Grieving?

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

How to Counsel the Grieving?

The confusion in how to counsel the grieving of others is a complicated issue.  While there is an academic and scientific approach, the best advice is everyone is different and to approach each person in grief differently according to the situation.

Jennifer Fulwiler in her article “Grief is Messy” (National Catholic Register)  discovered this when a neighbor tragically was killed in an accident.

“A week ago last Saturday, I witnessed a terrible motorcycle accident in the neighborhood. I was the first person to check on the victim, and was not prepared for what I would find. The young rider had died instantly, but the scene was like something out of a war zone. When the police arrived, even veteran offices were shocked.”

Read the full article here

From this article one can the complications in approaching or counseling those in grief from one perspective.
If you are interested in grief counseling courses, please review the program here.
If you wish to become certified in grief and bereavement counseling, then please review the program.  Those who become certified in grief and bereavement counseling are after completion of courses, certified for three years.
If you have any questions, then please do not hesitate to contact us.

Stress Management Pop-Quiz!

Posted on by Dominick Flarey
A young man taking a test
Think you are a pro at stress management? Take the quiz!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Think you know a lot about stress management?   Do you feel you do not know anything about managing stress?   Well do not feel bad if you like most of us are in the dark about stress.   Lucky for us there are plenty of online resources available to test our knowledge or expand it.    Here is a stress pop quiz.   Don’t “stress out” about it.  You are not being graded.  Your reward is knowledge!  Test your stress reduction knowledge with this quiz:
By ProProfs.Com

Stress Management Pop-Quiz!

For the quiz, please go here.

If you have any questions about stress management or would like to learn more in regards to managing your stress please feel free to visit our homepage.

Working Meditation into Your Life.

Posted on by Dominick Flarey
A woman working in daily meditation during her job
A woman working in daily meditation during her job

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wondering how you can make time for meditation in your daily life?   You are not alone.   Many people every day go without the benefits of meditation because they are “too busy”.   Meditating does not take long and daily meditation can help reduce stress and help with relaxation.   How to meditate you ask?   Simply just do it when you have a free moment.   You could be waiting for the mail, at the doctor’s office, when you first wake up, or before you go to bed.   It is easy to fit mediation into your daily life.

Working Meditation into Your Life.

The article, “Five ways to incorporate meditation into your life”, by Robert Piper states

“Meditation is an incredible tool that has been used for thousands of years in eastern spiritual traditions of India, Tibet, and China. Most recently, it has been used in western medicine to work with pain, stress, and even by American Troops suffering from PTSD.”

For the full list please go here.

Now that you know how to work meditation into your daily life, it is up to you to actually do it.
If you are interested in learning how to meditate or meditation in general please visit our webpage.

How to Become a Hypnotherapist

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Become a Hypnotherapist

Have you thought about becoming a Hypnotherapist? Hypnotherapists utilize the state of hypnosis (deep relaxation) to treat their patients’ physical and psychological elements. Hypnotherapy has been effective at treating anxiety, depression, eating disorders, weight problems, sleeping disorders and addictions to alcohol and smoking. To become a hypnotherapist, you must undergo training in a solid and reputable hypnotherapy education program.

While there is not yet a central national organization that regulates the certification of hypnotherapists, you may become a certified hypnotherapist by meeting the certification requirements of bodies such as the American College of Hypnotherapy. This program provides for 220 hours of education and training. This includes a full practicum course where students practice inductions as well as using various hypnosis and hypnotherapy scripts. Once passed on this by the instructor, the students then work with actual subjects in conducting hypnosis and hypnotherapy sessions. Full faculty mentoring is provided. All courses are provided in online, distance education classrooms. Students complete a major online examination for each of the core courses that are provided in the curriculum.

 Training Costs

Costs vary depending on the program of education and training that you select. Costs are generally seen in the range of $ 1,500.00- $ 2,000.00. In some instances, some program costs are much higher. The tuition fees usually do not include required textbooks. Upon successful completion of the education program, those completing their education/training at the American College of Hypnotherapy are eligible for official certification. Certification costs are reasonable and provide certification for a three-year time period.

Recertification

The American College of Hypnotherapy also offers a full “recertification” program. Re-certification comes due every three years. To apply for recertification the professional must complete a required amount of continuing education as well as have attained a defined number of hours of practice, within the time-frame that they are certified. Recertification is for another three-year term.

 What Does it Take to become a Hypnotherapist?

A hypnotherapy career may not be your best choice if you lack empathy and good communication skills. You should ideally be a people person; somebody who is able to connect with other people and their feelings, and have the will to assist them to overcome their problems.
In terms of qualifications, the American College of Hypnotherapy requires that one first be a licensed health care professional, in order to be considered for acceptance into the program. There are other programs available, and each have their own specific entry requirements.
If you feel confident about wanting to become a hypnotherapist, then you can begin you path to this career by enrolling in a course that meets your needs as well as the requirements of the state and those of the certification boards. To learn more about the American College of Hypnotherapy, click here.

Christian Counseling Ceritfication Training: Christian Education and the Rights of Parents

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Christian Counseling Certification Training: Christian Education and Teaching Children

One of the most prominent rights of parents but least utilized is the right to educate.  Only recently with the emergence of Home Schooling in opposition to secularism in schools has the issue become not only a moral one but a legal one. Christian Education is an extremely important part of child development that starts in the home.

Christian Counselors and the church must always stand and defend the inherent and God given right that parents have as the primary educators of their children.  Through the grace of the Holy Spirit, parents have a super natural assistance to raise their children that no other person can claim for their child.  Furthermore as the parents, it is their obligation before God to raise them as good people.  Only the parents will stand before God and be judged for the raising of their children.
At the most primary level, the parent is responsible for teaching their child about God.  It is the duty of the parent that the child learns of Christ, his church and scripture.  It is the duty of the parent to ensure that the child is baptized and attends Mass or Church services.  It is the duty of the parent to raise that child according to the precepts of Christ no matter what anyone else may do or say.  This is the serious nature of parenting that many secular parents neglect.
Obviously, parents also have the moral right to educate their children beyond the mere theological.  The Church has triumphantly stood behind the Home Schooling Movement in defense of the right of the parents to educate their children.  While states have attempted to restrict this, one cannot deny the illicit nature of this.  When the state attempts to restrict a parent’s right to educate, it is over reaching its legal boundaries.  Recently, state laws have retreated as the Home Schooling Movement has become more organized and legally represented.  This is good news for parents who choose to exercise their right.  Unfortunately, some countries go well beyond their rights and indoctrinate children against their own parents.  This truly puts things into perspective when analyzing American issues with worldwide issues.
If the parents decide the primary education of their children should be transferred to a school, then it is their obligation to monitor the teaching at the school.  It would be immoral from parenting standards to turn a blind eye to one’s child’s education.  It is the duty of parents to review curriculum and to be central figures in the child’s education.  This not only ensures the child’s welfare but also speaks volumes to the various teachers that the parent is a part of the child’s life and will play a shared role in child’s education with them.
Christian Counselors should emphasize to parents that they need to recognize their moral responsibility before God to raise and teach their children.  Christian Counseling sessions should point out that teaching one’s child is an everyday affair, even if the primary teaching is done at a local school.
If you are interested in Christian Counseling Certification Training, please review the program.

Mark Moran, MA, GC-C, SCC-C

Christian Counseling is at Odds with Moral Relativism

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Christian Counseling Versus Moral Relativism

Christian Counseling seeks the truth in all solutions.  A Christian Counselor never sends a person down the road of least resistance but down the road of truth.  The objective reality of a

binding truth in all moral decisions is the moral compass a counselor uses when directing people in a decision.  Christian Counselors, and especially Spiritual Directors, have a grave responsibility to help form good moral character.  When dealing with Moral Relativism , one is confronted with a secular and atheistic philosophy that challenges the very essence of truth.
Subjective Moral Relativism teaches that moral decisions have no true bearing and are either right or wrong dependent upon the view of the person.  This treacherous slope of immorality places man as the source of authority over his own actions and dismisses a universal and binding moral law founded by God.  Hence what is right one day may be wrong another and what is wrong today may be right tomorrow.  With this ideal, the only source of power is retained in various social constructs that have no true moral authority but only power of authority in the present moment.
As a Christian Counselor, one should employ various philosophical arguments from Socrates and his disciples regarding universals and other ideals of objective truth.  The use of natural theology may be well used here since many who are plagued with moral subjectivism are not Christian.  However, those who are Christian can be quickly shown the error of their ways.   One objection which can be utilized is the issue of slavery.  Within a relativist philosophy, the majority rules and there is no true right or wrong.  Hence how can one condemn slavery or even the Holocaust?
The ultimate question regarding those who practice the morality of Moral Relativism is if they choose it out of philosophical pride or merely laxity.  Do they seek to escape authority and convince their own souls they are innocent and just in their immoral decisions?  Christian Counseling can address these issues and attempt to discover the moral pathology that is causing a clearly erroneous philosophy.
If you are interested in Education for Christian Counseling Certification, please review the program.
By Mark Moran, MA, GC-C, SCC-C

Counseling for Good Decision Making

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Ignatian Ideals for the Counseling of Forming Decisions

St. Ignatius in his Spiritual Exercises focuses on many spiritual dilemmas and decisions.  In particular he emphasizes the importance in making good elections or decisions.  A critical

element in Christian counseling and spiritual counseling is helping others form good life decisions.  These decisions may range from vocational life decisions to everyday life decisions.  Regardless of the magnitude, St. Ignatius believes decisions should be made carefully and deliberately when they involve the life of the soul.
As a Christian Counselor it is important to help a spiritual child find peace and resolution in a decision but the process sometimes can be a heavy burden especially when the decision can have so many ramifications upon oneself or others.  In these difficult times, St. Ignatius laid out a guideline to help others form good decisions or elections about their life.
The primary theme in any decision according to Ignatius is that the end serves the ultimate purpose of salvation.  If the decision contradicts the laws of God or endangers one’s eternal salvation, then that decision must be aborted.  Christian Counselors should only lay out options that correlate with scripture and the moral law of God.  If the decision corresponds with this or at least is neutral in value, then one can begin to evaluate the various options.  Christian counselors should help one weigh the various options with all the benefits of one versus the other.  In some extreme cases, the person may have to experience the various alternatives to see what best fits for him or her.  One should be encouraged to pray to the Holy Spirit for wisdom in these times of uncertainty.
St. Ignatius also points out what conditions point towards a positive election.  The first instance is if God divinely intervenes.  He used the case of St. Paul to help illustrate this.  St. Paul’s conversion and life choice to serve Christ was a wise and correct choice because Christ himself intervened and pushed St. Paul towards the proper decision.  Another example for spiritual certitude is if the person has commited enough time to prayer.   In addition to this, the person should possess adequate knowledge and experience with the situation to form a decision.  Finally, when one is free from the noise of spirits or other internal confusion one can make a clear decision.   This spiritual tranquility is needed because one cannot form a good decision if his or her conscience is in doubt or is hampered by the noises of the evil one.
In finalizing one’s decision, St. Ignatius also offers this good advice.  One should be able to imagine the choice chosen being applied to another.  If the choice can be willed to another, then it potentially can be applied to oneself with at least a positive moral value.  One should also be able to feel no regret if this choice was made on one’s death bed and finally one should feel no regret if this choice was made before the final judgment of Christ.  If any of these choices cannot be seen as positive for these events, then they should be avoided.
With these ideals in mind, Christian Counseling emphasizes the importance of making good choices with clear conscience that corresponds with the teachings of Christ.  Some decisions however present issues that are beyond bad and good values but carry a neutral value.  In these cases, the soul must search deeper in prayer and meditation and seek the will of the Father in determining the outcome.  These solutions are not found easily but through time and spiritual soul searching.
If you are interested in Christian Counseling Courses, please review the program. Those who are interested in becoming a Christian Counselor, can review the program.

America’s Christian Symbol

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Christian Symbol of America

While it is true our constitution does not endorse one religion over another, one cannot deny the imprint of Christianity upon the history of America and the importance of it in the life of Americans.  While immoral laws pass and the idea of God is attacked, the will and desires of the people is truly seen in this soon to be constructed 700 foot cross which is a true Christian symbol of our country.

It is good to know while the vile attacks of atheists attempt to mock Christian belief with ignorant roadside signs that hovering high above them is the symbol of truth via the soon to be constructed 700 foot Branson cross.

If you would like to learn how to become a certified Christian Biblical Counselor, then please review.

If you are interested in the truth of Christ and Christian Counseling, please review click here.

Wellness Coaching: What Not To Say To Dieters

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Wellness coaching or health coaching is not just all about proper diet and exercise.   It is about a proper mental health image as well.   Keeping this positive mentality is important and key to permanent weight loss. However things we say can have a negative impact as well.   Health care coaches have come up with a list of things you should not say to someone who is trying to lose weight:

Wellness Coaching: What Not To Say To Dieters

The article, “Worst Things to Say To Someone Trying to Lose Weight”, by Health.com states

“What’s the worst thing anyone ever said to you when you were trying to lose weight? That’s the question we put to Health’s Facebook audience, and boy, did we get an earful!”

For the full list please go here.

Wellness coaching can only go so far.    Ultimately it is up to you to stay with you diet.   You should not let anything anyone says push you away from your goal.    Keeping positive and listening to your health care coach will see you meet those goals.   If you are interested in health care coaching then you should visit our webpage.