Change My Relationship

Caregiver Burnout

Caregiver burnout is common for people who are caring for another person. Watch this video to learn how to recognize it and how to care for yourself along with the other person.

Karla Downing's passion is to see individuals, marriages, and families set free from dysfunction, scriptural misunderstanding, and emotional pain personally and relationally. Her Christian relationship advice includes messages, books, and classes that provide practical solutions grounded in biblical truths, bringing balance and clarity to life and relationship issues. She also desires to equip ministry leaders and counselors to reach out more effectively to those struggling with difficult relationships, including abuse.

 

Website: https://www.changemyrelationship.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChangeMyRelationship
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@changemyrelationship

Watch this video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/PyK2SWlRSWs

 

Interview: Hope and Help for Parents of Struggling Teens: An Interview with Brandon Joffe, Founder of Inspired Resolutions Counseling

Parenting struggling teens is one of the most difficult and challenging seasons of life, and it is no surprise that it is correlated with decreased marital satisfaction. Problems with teens become problems in the family, and according to Brandon Joffe, licensed clinical social worker and founder of Inspired Resolutions Counseling, solutions need to involve the family.  

 

In this interview, Brandon answers Karla's questions on homework, disrespect, anger, emotions, drugs, suicidal threats, discipline disagreements, and more. His practical solutions and experience-based insights give parents hope and help, whether they are at a crisis point or just typical teen struggles.  

 

Brandon Joffe is a licensed clinical social worker with nearly two decades of experience assisting teens, families, and marriages through challenging times. He offers effective, compassionate, and results-driven therapy, specializing in adolescent, parent, and couple issues like anxiety, depression, ADHD, addiction, anger management, and family conflict. He offers multiple support groups, including support for parents of struggling teens and anger management for families. He also offers online courses for ADHD, boundaries, parenting, court-ordered co-parenting, and anger management.  

 

Joffe began his journey as an addiction counselor at the Substance Abuse Foundation, gaining insight into substance abuse's impact on youth. This led him to work with middle and high school students in Compton at Shields for Families, providing therapy in schools and homes. Later, he served as a Drug Court therapist at the Central Justice Center, collaborating with legal professionals to aid recovery. In 2010, Joffe transitioned to private practice with CIFT, engaging with schools and churches in Brea, Anaheim Hills, and Placentia. He developed a holistic approach to therapy, integrating mental health, physical wellness, and nutrition for long-term success. As a clinical supervisor, he trains new therapists. He continues to partner with the With Hope Foundation to provide suicide prevention training in schools. 

Inspired Resolutions Counseling is located in Orange County, California.

 

Resources and Links

 

Inspired Resolutions Counseling: 

https://www.inspiredresolutionscounseling.com

 

Faith Anchored Boundaries Before Breakdown:

https://www.inspiredresolutionscourses.com/courses/faith-anchored-boundaries-before-breakdown-course

 

Hope For Parents Community:

https://www.inspiredresolutionscourses.com/hub/community/c/10830

 

 

Website: https://www.changemyrelationship.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChangeMyRelationship
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@changemyrelationship

Watch this video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/3U4lFbFL6tY

 

Boundaries with Marijuana Smokers: Is It Okay or Not Okay With You?

Have you struggled with setting boundaries with the marijuana smokers in your life?  Do you wonder if it should be okay with you when it is not okay with you? The increase in the use of pot is related to its legalization in many states. With that comes its normalization. Many now believe that is less harmful than alcohol. It isn't easy to tells someone that you don't approve of its use when they can argue that it is accepted and no big deal.

Making decisions about marijuana are easier when you know the facts about it. This video will review a recent article about a meta-study on it's effects on the brain, especially if it is link to an increase in psychosis. It also presents other facts about marijuana that will help you decide.

Watch this video to help you decide whether you need boundaries with pot smokers. 
#boundariesinrelationships   #addictionrecovery #christianrelationshipadvice #marijuanaabuse #christianboundaries 

Karla Downing's passion is to see individuals, marriages, and families set free from dysfunction, scriptural misunderstanding, and emotional pain personally and relationally. Her Christian relationship advice includes messages, books, and classes that provide practical solutions grounded in biblical truths, bringing balance and clarity to life and relationship issues. She also desires to equip ministry leaders and counselors to reach out more effectively to those struggling with difficult relationships, including abuse.

Written copy of this "Boundaries with Marijuana Users"
https://www.changemyrelationship.com/christian-relationship-devotional-boundaries-with-marijuana-users/
 
"Detaching With Love From an Alcoholic or Drug Addict"
 
https://www.changemyrelationship.com/christian-relationship-devotional-detaching-with-love-from-an-alcoholic-or-drug-addict/

 

Website: https://www.changemyrelationship.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChangeMyRelationship
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@changemyrelationship

Watch this video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/3BH1f85dvpg

Dealing with Slobs

Dealing with slobs is problematic. You can't make them neat and you can't live with the mess. Watch this video to learn what you can do.

 

 

Website: https://www.changemyrelationship.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChangeMyRelationship
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@changemyrelationship

Watch this video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/q8PY2wbyYes

Is the Difficult Person Good or Bad?

One of the things we do in difficult relationship is use all or nothing thinking. This means when we see someone do things that are bad, we see the person as bad. When we see the person do things that are good, we see the person as good. This confuses us when we think that we have it figured out. It is better to think a different way.

 

Website: https://www.changemyrelationship.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChangeMyRelationship
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@changemyrelationship

Watch this video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/qsFiIYjDLHk

 

Interview: CoupleTalk: Cracking the Code to an Amazing Relationship

Don and Alexandra (Alex) Flecky were married in 1980 and quickly discovered that baggage from their families of origin showed up in their relationship. They, like many other couples, found that their love for each other was hijacked by their reactionary interpretation of each other's communication.
 

Their personal experience figuring out how to change their own communication patterns, along with their professional experience working with couples, led Don and Alex to co-author CoupleTalk: Cracking the Code to an Amazing Relationship. In this podcast, they explain why and how their workshop is different than other programs. 

They currently head the Relationship Research Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit organization that applies proven relationship-strengthening techniques and develops innovative resources to help today’s couples improve their marriages. Previously, the Fleckys served as Shepherds of Marriage Ministries at their home church, Fullerton Free Church (California). Don is licensed as a pastor in the Evangelical Free Church of America and does pastoral counseling. Alex has B.A. and M.A. degrees in Communication Studies, with a focus on Argument and Persuasion, and has taught communication courses at California State University, Fullerton.

For over 35 years, they have taught and coached thousands of couples on six continents. They regularly speak at conferences, churches, ministerial groups, marriage retreats, and community events. They are sought out by various churches and non-profit organizations to teach couples classes, train class leaders, develop cutting-edge methods to help couples, and launch specialized couples programs.

The Fleckys love using stories from their own marital struggles to give hope to couples. They have three adult children, one granddaughter, and a Sheepadoodle.  They enjoy jet skiing, traveling, and getting a rush out of helping couples.

Resources:
CoupleTalk: Coupletalk.com
Relationship Research Foundation, Inc.: USrelationships.org
The Third Option: thethirdoptionoc.com

 

 

Website: https://www.changemyrelationship.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChangeMyRelationship
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@changemyrelationship

Watch this video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/kLjZJaof2aY

Is the Bible All You Need for Your Life and Relationships?

Is the Bible all you need for your life and relationships? The majority of Christians and pastors would answer, "Absolutely." It is taught in sermons and Sunday School and is the message of songs sung over many years. It almost seems heretical to ask it. 

Yet, it matters because misunderstandings about this issue can cause confusion and pain in people's lives, especially when they are searching for answers. Christian relationship advice often fails to apply the Bible in practical ways that help, especially when it is rigid. 

Watch this video to find the answer to the question, "Is the Bible all you need for your life and relationships."   #bible #christianrelationshipadvice #scripturaltruth 

Karla Downing's passion is to see individuals, marriages, and families set free from dysfunction, scriptural misunderstanding, and emotional pain personally and relationally. Her Christian relationship advice includes messages, books, and classes that provide practical solutions grounded in biblical truths, bringing balance and clarity to life and relationship issues. She also desires to equip ministry leaders and counselors to reach out more effectively to those struggling with difficult relationships, including abuse.

 

 

Website: https://www.changemyrelationship.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChangeMyRelationship
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@changemyrelationship

Watch this video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/C69zmOY66pk

 

Boundary or Wall?

What is the difference between a boundary and a wall? Watch this video to think about the differences and when you might want to consider one vs the other.  

 

Karla Downing's passion is to see individuals, marriages, and families set free from dysfunction, scriptural misunderstanding, and emotional pain personally and relationally. Her Christian relationship advice includes messages, books, and classes that provide practical solutions grounded in biblical truths, bringing balance and clarity to life and relationship issues. She also desires to equip ministry leaders and counselors to reach out more effectively to those struggling with difficult relationships, including abuse.

 

Website: https://www.changemyrelationship.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChangeMyRelationship
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@changemyrelationship

Watch this video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/J1B_7sEMADA

Emotional Intelligence: Understanding Primary and Secondary Emotions

Emotional intelligence includes understanding that emotions can be primary or secondary. Recognizing this will help you to be less emotionally reactive in your relationships. Many in dysfunctional, toxic relationships struggle with identifying what causes their emotional reactivity, especially when past triggers contribute and intensify the responses. 

The more you understand about your emotions, the easier it will be to make sense of them. It is crucial that you can trace the links between other people's actions and your emotions.  This includes identifying why you are upset and what feelings come first and second. This will also increase your awareness of what is going on in the other person's feelings and reactions.

Watch this video to increase your emotional intelligence.    
#emotionalintelligence #christianrelationshipadvice #dysfunctionalrelationship #toxicrelationship #emotionalreactivity

Karla Downing's passion is to see individuals, marriages, and families set free from dysfunction, scriptural misunderstanding, and emotional pain personally and relationally. Her Christian relationship advice includes messages, books, and classes that provide practical solutions grounded in biblical truths, bringing balance and clarity to life and relationship issues. She also desires to equip ministry leaders and counselors to reach out more effectively to those struggling with difficult relationships, including abuse.

 

Website: https://www.changemyrelationship.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChangeMyRelationship
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@changemyrelationship

Watch this video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Z2NJCg3otYc

Interview: My Narcissistic Abusive Spouse Changed--Can Yours?

Rachel shares the crazy cycle of hope and despair she experienced in her painful seventeen-year marriage to a narcissistic, abusive husband. With raw emotions and heartfelt concern for other women and men in abusive relationships, she explains why it took her this long to do what finally convinced him to change. 

While there is no guarantee that your spouse can and will change, there is hope if you do this one thing in a way you have yet to. And if that doesn't produce change, you will have discovered something valuable that you need to know once and for all. 

 

Resources:

"CoupleTalk: Cracking the Code to an Amazing Relationship" offers a set of powerful communication tools which teach you healthy ways to communicate as a couple about any topic – no matter how sensitive – and help you to improve your everyday communication. CoupleTalk combines insightful video-based instruction, interactive in-class exercises, and a workbook filled with practical advice and helps. It can be used by a couple alone at home, in a small group at home or church, or in a large group of couples as a weekend retreat or couples conference. Many counselors and pastors also use CoupleTalk as an “at home” supplement to their work with couples. https://coupletalk.com/

Hosting Your Own Class: CoupleTalk Hosts are regular couples and individuals who agree to host the video series at their church or community center, or even in their home. No special training is needed to host the video series, and CoupleTalk offers a variety of helpful supports. https://coupletalk.com/

 

Karla Downing's passion is to see individuals, marriages, and families set free from dysfunction, scriptural misunderstanding, and emotional pain personally and relationally. Her Christian relationship advice includes messages, books, and classes that provide practical solutions grounded in biblical truths, bringing balance and clarity to life and relationship issues. She also desires to equip ministry leaders and counselors to reach out more effectively to those struggling with difficult relationships, including abuse.

 

Website: https://www.changemyrelationship.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChangeMyRelationship
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@changemyrelationship

Watch this video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/6VEs7Ht_lHo