Christian Counseling Certification and Lenten Fasting

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Lent is a time of renewal and rebirth.  We enter into the desert with Christ for forty days and hope to re-emerge stronger and ready.   We die with Christ in hopes of resurrecting with him.

Part of this rebirth is fasting and prayer.  Prayer is the first step because it directs our fasting and begs for the graces to fulfill the tasks of Lent.   We commit acts of goodness and self sacrifice during Lent to strengthen our souls in our reshaping of our spiritual lives.

As Lent approaches we must prepare to spiritually renew ourselves through the cross. Like all crosses, this involves self denial and fasting. Please also review our Christian Counseling Certification
As Lent approaches we must prepare to spiritually renew ourselves through the cross. Like all crosses, this involves self denial and fasting. Please also review our Christian Counseling Certification

Fasting helps one to curb inclinations and passions.  Fasting that is self imposed has benefits in this but the greatest fasting is from above.  This is why the Church provides general fasting and days of abstinence.   The first day of Lent is a full day of fasting, while Friday, in the West, and Wednesday and Friday in the East are days of abstinence throughout the Lenten calendar.

It is critical when targeting vices in our spiritual life to utilize prayer and fasting as a way to overcome our human weaknesses.  Prayer and fasting strengthens the soul against the inclinations of the flesh and reinforces spiritual discipline.   Both personal and social fasting is key.  This is why we not only observe the Church’s Lenten rules, but also offer our own small sacrifices during Lent.

During Lent, we carry our crosses with Christ. Please also review our Christian Counseling Certification
During Lent, we carry our crosses with Christ. Please also review our Christian Counseling Certification

Ultimately our sacrifices are not just for the sole purpose of spiritual rebirth but also as an offering to Christ.  Christ gave us his life as an example of how to live the good life in a fallen world.  Lent helps us to show Christ our love and thankfulness in emulating and imitating his ways.  Through the grace of the Holy Spirit through prayer, we are able to fulfill our Lenten goals.  We must remember, our own works are fruitless before the Lord, unless done in His name and through His grace.

Please have a blessed Lent and find strength and growth in Christ through the Holy Spirit.  May this Lent also bring us not only closer to Christ, but also to our other Christian brothers and sisters through the variety of Lenten services.

Lent prepares us to walk with Christ. Christ is our ultimate example in carrying our crosses and fasting helps us give back to Christ.
Lent prepares us to walk with Christ. Christ is our ultimate example in carrying our crosses and fasting helps us give back to Christ.

Please also remember to review our Christian Counseling Certification to see if it matches your academic and professional goals.  The online program is best for counselors and clergy who wish to utilize Christ in their counseling.

Pastoral Thanatology Certification Article on Palliative and Hospice Care Differences

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Good article explaining the key differences between hospice care and palliative care.  It is important to know which program is best for you or a loved one and to use them correctly.  Ultimately, it is about the best care and comfort for the situation.

As we grow, knowing what is best for ourselves is key. For our family and ourselves, knowing whether Hospice or Palliative Care is best for us, is also key. Please also review our Pastoral Thanatology Certification
As we grow, knowing what is best for ourselves is key. For our family and ourselves, knowing whether Hospice or Palliative Care is best for us, is also key. Please also review our Pastoral Thanatology Certification

The article, “‘That Good Night’ Perfectly Explains How Palliative Care Differs From Hospice” by Judy Stone states,

“That Good Night: Life and Medicine in the Eleventh Hour,” reminded me how poorly the U.S. deals with palliative care—a specialty that focuses on symptom relief—let alone end of life decisions and hospice care. The two terms are different and commonly misunderstood.”

To read the entire article, please click here

Please also review our Pastoral Thanatology Certification Program and see how it matches your academic and professional goals.

Pet Loss Grief Counseling Certification Article on Explaining a Pet’s Death

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Great article on talking to a child about the death of a pet.  The death of a pet is a horrible loss but is also usually the first death experience for a child.  It is important to properly grieve the loss but to also use it as teaching moment to explain death.   While a teaching moment may be very difficult for the loss of a dog, horse or cat, it may be easier if it is a goldfish, or hampster.

Explaining to a child how a family dog or cat died can be a difficult thing. Please also review our Pet Loss Grief Counseling Certification
Explaining to a child how a family dog or cat died can be a difficult thing. Please also review our Pet Loss Grief Counseling Certification

The article, “The Dog Isn’t Sleeping: How To Talk With Children About Death” by Cody Turner states,

“My parents exchanged pained glances. I know now that life had put them in an impossible bind. Mingo had been dying for months and suffering for weeks. The vet urged euthanasia then and there. My parents reluctantly but humanely agreed. But how to tell me? So they didn’t, hoping to wait until after my birthday.”

To read the entire article, please click here

Please also review our Pet Loss Grief Counseling Certification and see if it matches your academic and professional needs.

Child and Adolescent Grief Counseling Program Article on Young Grief

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Those who experience more loss when young have different outlooks on life.  Youthful grieving takes a toll but also prepares one for life and how to cope.  It can also though if not handled correctly, cause future grieving problems.  Hence it is important to help the young grieve properly.

Young grief and loss can have negative and positive effects. Please also review our Child and Adolescent Grief Counseling Program
Young grief and loss can have negative and positive effects. Please also review our Child and Adolescent Grief Counseling Program

The article,7 Ways Grieving When You’re Young Changes You, According To Experts, by Lindsey Mack states,

Coping with the loss of a loved one is difficult at any age. But for children who experience grief at a young age, the effects of this loss may continue into adulthood. There are quite a few ways grieving when you’re young changes you in general.

To review the entire article, please click here

As one can see, young grieving has positives as well as negatives.  Please also review our Child and Adolescent Grief Counseling Program and see if it matches your academic and professional goals.

 

Attention Deficit Consulting Certification Article on ADHD

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder is disorder that affects many children, teens and adults.   Many just associate it with younger children but it can affect all ages.

Please also review our Attention Deficit Consulting Certification and see if it meets your academic and professional goals
Please also review our Attention Deficit Consulting Certification and see if it meets your academic and professional goals

The primary symptoms include lack of attention or focus, as well as an inability to calm down or remain still.  Some only experience lack of attention, while others experience the hyperactivity.  Some may also experience both.  Hence there are variety of levels of severity associated with it.

Numerous clinics, schools and counseling services offer help for individuals, as well as students, in coping with the disorder.   These coping methods and sometimes medication, are able to help the person through school or work.

Without these coping methods, ADHD has the ability to cause havoc in any personal, professional or school lives.

Because of this, a variety of healthcare professionals specialize in the care of ADHD and some look to earn additional certifications.   AIHCP offers a certification in Attention Deficit Consulting that prepares a variety of healthcare and behavioral health professionals in helping those with ADHD.

The Attention Deficit Consulting Certification offered by AIHCP is a four year certification that can be earned online.  After completing the core courses in the program, one can apply for this certification.

Attention Deficit is a big issue with so many people.  It can cause many problems for those in school, or working, or even in the simple family life.   Professionals with this certification can better help these individuals.  Please review AIHCPsS Attention Deficit Consulting Certification and see if it matches your academic and professional needs.

Pet Loss Grief Counseling Article on Pets and Divorce

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

In a breakup, many secondary losses occur.  One secondary loss that is not considered is the loss of a pet in a divorce or breakup.   Not seeing a pet is one loss that can occur.   This can lead to a loss that sometimes is overlooked by society.

In breakups and divorce this type of loss is all too common and the state, like with children, does not grant shared custody of a pet, even if we wish to consider our pet equal to a human.  Ultimately, many bitter breakups use children and also pets as ways to punish the other when in reality you are only punishing the child or the pet.

Sometimes divorce can can also cause the loss of a pet. Please also review our Pet Loss Grief Counseling program
Sometimes divorce can can also cause the loss of a pet. Please also review our Pet Loss Grief Counseling program

Please also review our Pet Loss Grief Counseling program to learn more.  The program is online and independent study that is open to qualified professionals looking for certification in Pet Loss Grief Counseling.

 

Pastoral Thanatology Certification Article on Hospice

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

So many think they are not eligible for Hospice and so many more think they have to die to enter into it.  These are both myths.  Hospice is available for many and is not necessarily a death sentence.  It is not about giving up on life but living life.

Hospice is not about dying but is about living as best you can. Please also review our Pastoral Thanatology Certification
Hospice is not about dying but is about living as best you can. Please also review our Pastoral Thanatology Certification

The article, “Mark Harvey: You may qualify for hospice — and you’re not required to die” by Mark Harvey,  looks at the true realities behind hospice.  The article states,

So, basically, hospice care is not about trying to cure a terminal illness; it’s about improving the quality of the life that the patient has left. And it does a remarkable job of doing that.

To read the entire article, please click here

Please also review our Pastoral Thanatology Certification to learn more and also potentially become certified.

 

Substance Abuse Counseling Certification on Recovery

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

A sobering reality is that it sometimes takes rock bottom for some addicts to finally seek the change they need.  Recovery is not one action but a life style change in every aspect.  Those who finally have no where else to go sometimes find the motivation needed to do what needs done.

Sometimes hitting rock bottom is the only way to seek recovery. Please also review our Substance Abuse Counseling Certification
Sometimes hitting rock bottom is the only way to seek recovery. Please also review our Substance Abuse Counseling Certification

The article, “After hitting ‘rock bottom,’ some addicts and alcoholics find a road to recovery” by Alexandria Fleming states,

“In addiction phraseology, it’s often called “rock bottom.” It’s a state of mind known as the nadir of suffering, an overwhelming feeling of hopelessness. Sometimes it’s a jumpoff point at which misery is traded for normalcy and meaning, where one life ends and another begins.”

To read the entire article, please click here

Please also review our Substance Abuse Counseling Certification

 

Holistic Nurse Certification Article on Managing Pain

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Chronic pain is an issue for millions of Americans.  How to overcome that pain is the question.   Some medications have side effects or are too powerful and deemed illegal for use.  With such questions, many seek various safe, alternative forms of treatment for chronic pain.

Please review our Holistic Nurse Certification and see if it meets your academic or professional goals
Please review our Holistic Nurse Certification and see if it meets your academic or professional goals

The article, “Health Talk: Alternative therapies for chronic pain” by Michael Kenosh, M.D, et all takes a closer look into ways to manage pain The article states,

“The New York Times recently reported that opioid overdose was the leading cause of death for people under the age of 50 in the United States (2018). The incidence of prescription medication overdose that occurs outside of health-care facilities has increased exponentially in the last 20 years. In the United States, people often perceive medication as the sole source of relief from pain. However, alternative methods of treatment exist that may have lower risks and lead to improvements in long-term outcomes.”

To read the entire article please click here

Please also review our Holistic Nurse Certification and see if it matches your needs.  As a Holistic Nurse one can help others manage pain through safe and alternative methods

Certified Holistic Nurse Specialist Article

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

With alternative therapies and Eastern medicine becoming more and more prevalent and used by people within the West, it is only natural that there should be experts who understand their use.   While many go to alternative medical practitioners in China town or other small herbal shops, it is equally important to have Western minded experts on the subject as well

Please also review our certified Holistic Nurse Practitioner Program
Please also review our certified Holistic Nurse Specialist Program

Western medicine needs to be used in proper balance with many of the herbs and alternative practices flooding the streets.   The reason is important because many herbs may already exist in pharmaceutical drugs, or certain herbs may react in a harmful way with other medicines.  While traditional practitioners can guide in use and dosage, it is still important to have one also well trained in Western medicine.

With this in mind, to avoid the dangers and enhance the positives, the American Institute of Health Care Professionals offers a Holistic Nursing Certification which can give nurses the necessary information in alternative and herbal studies to offer guidance and care from both a Western and Eastern perspective.

With the growth in interest for alternative care with less side effects, people want to find reliable guidance from healthcare professionals with herbal decisions.  Again, the certified Holistic Nurse is able to meet those needs and provide that guidance to patients.

A certified Holistic Nurse can help not only with Western medication, but also guide the individual with the Eastern instruction a person needs in administering and choosing proper herbs and practices in conjuncture with Western medication.   This maximizes the benefits and lowers the risk.

No person should change medications or seriously alter doses of any medication, much less go on a new herb or herbal treatment without consulting a healthcare professional.  The self-diagnosis and treatment of self through herbs can cause great problems for a patient.

Many patients wish to find results or find themselves at a dead end with no hope and hence turn to alternative medicine.  Some forms are beneficial, while others may simply be snake oil.  This is why it is so critical for good guidance and care from a healthcare professional well equipped with both Eastern and Western knowledge on the subject of care.

If you would like to learn more about becoming a certified Holistic Nurse Specialist, then please review our program and see if it meets your academic and professional guidelines.  If a nurse and qualified, you can enter into the program, take the online courses and earn a Holistic Nursing Certification.  The certification lasts four years and is renewable.

In the meantime, there is a strong demand for expertise from qualified professionals in Eastern and Holistic care.  Nurses can meet that demand and with a certification from AIHCP, they can offer patients with confidence the guidance they need in helping others with alternative needs.

Learn more about becoming a certified Holistic Nurse Practitioner
Learn more about becoming a certified Holistic Nurse Specialist