Olive Branch Counseling Associates, Inc.

11/13/2025

I was recently invited to watch a video for professional helpers presented by David Kessler, renowned grief expert and author of 7 books about the grief experience. In the video, Kessler discussed the nature of grief from the perspective of the grieving person, including some of the common difficulties the grieving face. He also explained six essential needs grieving people have that he has identified after working with them for many years....

I was recently invited to watch a video for professional helpers presented by David Kessler, renowned grief expert and author of 7 books about the grief experience. In the video, Kessler discussed …

11/11/2025

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People has remained influential for decades because it goes beyond quick self-help tips. Each habit builds on the next, shaping both our character and our relationships. Practical yet powerful, they are designed to help us grow from self-mastery to meaningful collaboration with others. Here is a quick summary of each habit and examples on how to apply them in our daily life:...

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People has remained influential for decades because it goes beyond quick self-help tips. Each habit builds on the next, shaping both our character and our relat…

10/27/2025

Life today can feel overwhelming. Sometimes we feel irritated, frustrated, disappointed, angry, anxious, depressed, discouraged, lonely, or powerless. For many, it feels like the world is on fire! Writer and creative coach, Amie McNee’s TEDx talk, The case for making art when the world is on fire, is a powerful reminder that “making art isn’t a luxury, it’s essential for our health and happiness”....

Life today can feel overwhelming. Sometimes we feel irritated, frustrated, disappointed, angry, anxious, depressed, discouraged, lonely, or powerless. For many, it feels like the world is on fire! …

10/23/2025

As we transition into fall, it is the perfect season to slow down and savor life’s little pleasures. Sip a warm cup of tea or pumpkin-spiced coffee while wrapped in a cozy blanket, delight in season treats like maple butter or baked apples, and step outside to take in the beauty of autumn, notice the vibrant leaves covering the ground, the crispness in the air, and the busy wildlife preparing for winter....

As we transition into fall, it is the perfect season to slow down and savor life’s little pleasures. Sip a warm cup of tea or pumpkin-spiced coffee while wrapped in a cozy blanket, delight in seaso…

10/21/2025

In Part One of this two-part blog, we explored the foundations of healthy boundaries, what they are, the seven different types, and how to start setting them with clarity and confidence. But knowing the theory is only half the journey. The real challenge comes when we apply these principles to the relationships that matter most in our lives. In Part Two…...

In Part One of this two-part blog, we explored the foundations of healthy boundaries, what they are, the seven different types, and how to start setting them with clarity and confidence. But knowin…

10/15/2025

In today’s fast-paced world, we often focus so much on productivity that we forget to focus on the most important resource of all: ourselves. That’s where Habit 7- Sharpen the Saw comes in. Stephen Covey’s principle encourages us to take a step back and regularly renew our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. By sharpening our “saw” we work smarter and not harder....

In today’s fast-paced world, we often focus so much on productivity that we forget to focus on the most important resource of all: ourselves. That’s where Habit 7- Sharpen the Saw comes in. Stephen…

10/13/2025

Have you ever felt drained after a conversation, pressured into saying “yes” when you wanted to say “no,” or resentful because someone crossed a line? Then you might want to take a look at your boundaries. Boundaries are the guidelines that protect your well-being while helping you build healthier, more balanced connections. In this two-part blog, we’ll explore what boundaries are, why they matter, and how to set them with confidence....

Have you ever felt drained after a conversation, pressured into saying “yes” when you wanted to say “no,” or resentful because someone crossed a line? Then you might want to take a look at your bou…

10/10/2025

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10/09/2025

Habit Six: Synergize: This habit is all about creating something better together than we ever could alone. It emphasizes combining strengths, communicating effectively, and valuing differences. Synergy invites us to embrace our differences and use them as a source of strength rather than allowing them to separate us. At the heart of synergyis creativity. Creativity opens the door to new opportunities, but it also requires trusting the process, embracing the unknown, and having the confidence that collaboration will lead to something greater that we could ever achieve alone....

Habit Six: Synergize: This habit is all about creating something better together than we ever could alone. It emphasizes combining strengths, communicating effectively, and valuing differences. Syn…

10/07/2025

When we think of therapy, we often imagine quiet offices and serious conversations. But for children, especially those too young to express themselves fully in words, therapy often looks quite different. Play therapy researcher and author Garry Landreth explains, “In the play therapy experience, toys are like the child’s words, and play is the child’s language.” Despite misconceptions that it isn’t “real” therapy, experts emphasize that play therapy is a deeply meaningful and effective approach to helping children, teens, and even adults heal....

When we think of therapy, we often imagine quiet offices and serious conversations. But for children, especially those too young to express themselves fully in words, therapy often looks quite diff…

10/02/2025

Habit Five: Seek First to Understand then to be Understood is the foundation of healthy, lasting relationships. If you truly want to connect with others, habit five is where it begins. But how do we practice this habit in real life? According to Stephen Covey, most of us rush into conversations eager to respond, fix, or offer advice. We listen with the intent to reply and not to understand....

Habit Five: Seek First to Understand then to be Understood is the foundation of healthy, lasting relationships. If you truly want to connect with others, habit five is where it begins. But how do w…

09/30/2025

Habit Four is my personal favorite of The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People because it shifts the focus from a competitive mindset to a collaborative mindset, reminding us that success does not have to come at the expense someone else’s success especially in today’s fast paced competitive society. Stephen Covey’s Habit 4: Think Win Win offers a refreshing and mutually beneficial approach....

Habit Four is my personal favorite of The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People because it shifts the focus from a competitive mindset to a collaborative mindset, reminding us that success does n…