Seattle Christian Counseling Logo

  • ServicesRead about the expertise available
    • Individual ServicesAddress your personal concerns confidentially
      • ADHD
      • Abandonment and Neglect
      • Aging and Geriatric Issues
      • Anger Management
      • Anxiety
      • Bipolar Disorder
      • Chemical Dependency
      • Coaching
      • Counseling for Children
      • Counseling for Teens
      • Codependency
      • Depression
      • Eating Disorders
      • EMDR
      • Grief and Loss
      • Individual Counseling
      • Infidelity and Affairs
      • Lifespan Integration Therapy
      • Men’s Issues
      • OCD
      • Personal Development
      • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
      • Professional Development
      • Psychological Testing
      • Relationship Issues
      • Sex And Porn Addiction
      • Sexual Abuse
      • Spiritual Development
      • Trauma
      • Weight Loss
      • Women’s Issues
    • Christian Couples CounselingWork through challenges together
      • Couples Counseling
      • Premarital Counseling
      • Marriage Counseling
      • Marriage Intensive
    • Family CounselingEstablish the peaceful home you desire
      • Couples Counseling
      • Counseling for Teens
      • Counseling for Children
      • Family Counseling
    • Group CounselingBenefit from the support of others
      • Men’s Sexual Addiction Recovery
        Group – Chris Chandler
      • Anxiety and Depression Counseling
        Group for Teens and Adolescents
      • All Counseling Groups
    • Online Counseling
    • Anxiety
    • Depression
    • Marriage Counseling
    • Sexual Addiction
  • LocationsChoose from our variety of office locations
    • AnacortesAnacortes
    • Bellevue
    •  1Bothell
    • Edmonds
    •  1Everett
    •  1Federal Way
    • kentKent
    • Kirkland Christian CounselingKirkland
    • Lacey Christian CounselingLacey
    •  1Mill Creek
    • The Rhythm Reset: How to Navigate Boundaries and Stress 1Monroe
    • Oak Harbor Office OutsideOak Harbor
    • Poulsbo
    •  1Puyallup
    •  1Redmond
    •  1Seattle Ballard
    •  1Seattle Downtown
    • Seattle Greenlake
    • Silverdale Office FrontSilverdale
    •  1Spokane
    • Spokane ValleySpokane Valley
    •  1Tacoma
    • Vancouver
    •  1Online Counseling
  • CounselorsFind the best counselor for your needs
  • CareersBecome an affiliated Christian counselor
  • (206) 388-3929Please give us a call, we are here to help
header-image

My Personal Development Plan: A Christian Counselor Shares Her Experience

Seattle Christian Counseling
https://seattlechristiancounseling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/my-personal-development-plan-a-christian-counselor-shares-her-experience.jpg 1800 1200
https://seattlechristiancounseling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/seattle-greenlake-6-scaled.jpg
https://seattlechristiancounseling.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/cropped-cropped-seattle-logo.png
6827 Oswego Place NE, Suite B
SEATTLE, WA 98115
United States
6827 Oswego Place NE, Suite B
SEATTLE, WA 98115
United States
Photo of Lisa Velin

Lisa Velin

Oct
2017
23

My Personal Development Plan: A Christian Counselor Shares Her Experience

Lisa Velin

Individual CounselingPersonal DevelopmentWomen's Issues

The struggle with daily and numerous demands is a struggle that often turns us toward unhealthy coping mechanisms. In my walk with Jesus, I often simply pray, “Help me.” Grace pours in. I hear the words gently spoken, “Lean in. Just a bit closer.” One small adjustment in posture, and then there is peace, love, and empowering grace. This simple phrase repeated over and over can be a tool. A tool to allow us to live life to the full.

Routines

Routines are well-worn paths in our days. Sometimes they can be boring and tiresome, but other times they are grounding, familiar, and comfortable. Yesterday, while driving the exact same road I use five mornings a week, I was struck by how small my world is.

My Personal Development Plan: A Christian Counselor Shares Her ExperienceYesterday that thought was disturbing, anxiety-provoking, creating a restlessness deep in my soul that continued to bubble up all day long. Today, as I sit at my computer having some morning time with the same coffee cup as every morning, in the same brown leather chair, I find great comfort, gratitude, and a calm center. How fickle is our humanity!

Like us if you are enjoying this content.

Consider other routines . . . a glass of wine at dinner, a favorite show on Thursday night, Friday family movie night. Some routines become habits. Some habits are healthy; others are not.

Breaking Bad Habits

When you become aware of a routine or habit that you want to change, how do you do it? How does one steer away from an unhealthy and well-worn path? Whether it be a thought pattern that spirals into dark negativity, a glass of wine that turns into three, the same caustic argument over and over again with your partner or family member . . . How do we break free and stop the cycle short?

Awareness is the first step. One can ask, “What am I getting out of this habit? What is it I am seeking? Is there another way I can truly get that need met? Is there a more authentic conversation I can have with myself? Do I need to have a more vulnerable conversation with a significant other?”

Here’s an example:

My Personal Development Plan: A Christian Counselor Shares Her Experience 2A glass of red wine as a go-to for relaxation is not necessarily anything to worry about; but what if alcoholism runs in the family? Or what if it just gets to be too important? One could try some teas or scented oils instead.

Perhaps instead of a show every night, one could try some relaxing music. Just trying something new every once in a while can help steer clear of developing an unhealthy habit or coping mechanism.

Replacement Thoughts

A common negative thought could be identified as “I am stuck.” This thought, a well-worn path when feeling discomfort (physical or psychological) serves to validate a true feeling. But can there be a more accurate phrase to describe the feeling. Even just by changing it to “I feel stuck” morphs it into such a different tone – more flexible and malleable. Here’s a replacement thought you can use when you’re feeling stuck: “I have the ability to change and grow.”

My Personal Development Plan: A Christian Counselor Shares Her Experience 1Perhaps one can even find an activity that brings joy – coloring, walking, getting a massage – and while engaged in that activity, one can repeat the replacement thought over and over again. “I have the ability to grow and change” can turn into, “I am full of gratitude for my life, my job, my friends. Also, I would love to take a photography class.”

These are just a few examples of how we can change our thoughts into more truthful ones, how we can get to the bottom of a feeling and discover what it is we crave or truly need.

Sit down and write out a prayer. A longing. No censoring. Next, identify anything that keeps you from getting there. And if you feel you need some help getting past that obstacle, consider calling a Christian counselor today. You can live the life you want to live.

 

Photos
“Warming up,” courtesy of Alisa Anton, unsplash.com, CC0 License; “Tea,” courtesy of Morgan Sessions, unsplash.com, CC0 License; “Candle,” courtesy of John Mark Kuznietsov, unsplash.com, CC0 License

DISCLAIMER: THIS ARTICLE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE

The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this article are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please contact one of our counselors for further information.

  • Share on Facebook
  • Tweet it
  • ↑ Back to top
Photo of Lisa Velin
Schedule with Lisa
  • Appointment Info

  • Your Info

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Lisa Velin

Licensed Counselor and Clinical Supervisor
(206) 452-6727 lisav@seattlechristiancounseling.com

I’m a firm believer in the limitless possibilities for redemption through faith in Christ. I’m a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Clinical Supervisor with extensive experience in bilingual counseling, and helping people work through anxiety, depression, women’s issues, and trauma. I understand what it feels like to go through dark, seemingly hopeless times, but I know that everything God brings you trough will shape you into all you are meant to become. Working with you is an honor, and I’m dedicated to helping you learn, heal, and grow as you work towards a future that is made new in Christ. Read more articles by Lisa »

Other articles that might interest you...

How to Write a Personal Development Plan
Photo of Missy Neill

Missy Neill

How to Write a Personal Development Plan

A Step-by-Step Guide Personal development is a passion of mine. I love to help clients enhance the quality of their...

continue reading »
Christian Character Defined: A Christian Counselor Speaks 2
Seattle Christian Counseling

Christian Character Defined: A ...

Character can be defined as a collection of personality traits within our behavior that shows who we are. This is...

continue reading »
Personal Development: Who Am I? 1
Seattle Christian Counseling

Personal Development: Who Am I?

The Questions Personal development — can it hppen through fallibility? Who am I? Where am I headed in life? What...

continue reading »

About Lisa

Photo of Lisa Velin

Lisa Velin, MA, LMHC

Licensed Counselor and Clinical Supervisor

I’m a firm believer in the limitless possibilities for redemption through faith in Christ. I’m a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Clinical Supervisor with extensive experience in bilingual counseling, and helping people work through anxiety, depression, women’s issues, and trauma. I understand what it feels like to go through dark, seemingly hopeless times, but I know that everything God brings you trough will shape you into all you are meant to become. Working with you is an honor, and I’m dedicated to helping you learn, heal, and grow as you work towards a future that is made new in Christ. View Lisa's Profile

Recent articles by Lisa

  • Aug 21 · What is Group Therapy and What are the Benefits?
  • Apr 16 · Children of Divorce: How to Help Them Cope
  • Apr 15 · Hope in the Dark: A Reflection on Coronavirus and Easter
See all articles by Lisa »

Related Services

  • Individual Counseling
  • Personal Development
  • Women's Issues

Lisa's Office Locations

  • Photo of the Seattle Greenlake office

    Seattle Greenlake

    Washington

    General Office Number

    (206) 388-3929
    6827 Oswego Place NE, Suite B Seattle, WA 98115

    View Office Details
Seattle Christian Counseling Logo
Seattle Christian Counseling
Professional help with faith-based values
Welcome to Seattle Christian Counseling. We are an association of professional, independently licensed Christian counselors with more than 20 office locations throughout Washington state for your convenience, including the Seattle neighborhoods of Greenlake, Ballard, and Downtown Lower Queen Anne. We look forward to meeting you soon.
© 2023 Seattle Christian Counseling. All rights reserved.
6827 Oswego Place NE, Suite B, Seattle, WA 98115. Tel (206) 388-3929.
Facebook Twitter Online Counseling About Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use Feel free to contact us!
COVID-19 Service Update: We are still open for business. In office and online counseling is available if needed.