Associates in Christian Counseling

This month is our Back to School issue—otherwise known as “Where did the summer go?”

I’m sure many of you are familiar with Women of Faith’s Patsy Clairmont. One of her books is titled, Normal is Just a Setting on Your Dryer. For parents who may be sending a child off to preschool, kindergarten, middle school or high school for the first time, a sense of what is normal may be illusive. To help, we offer First Day Jitters and Beyond. For those wondering if their child’s fear or anxiety is normal, please read Overcoming Childhood Fears. Both articles contain helpful insights from two of our therapists who work with children.

As always, we thank you for your continuing interest and support of ACC!

Dr. Joe Verga
Executive Director, ACC

AUGUST FEATURES

First Day Jitters and Beyond

Overcoming Childhood Fears

Friend of ACC
—Dr. W. Vaughn McCall

Book Reviews

First Day Jitters and Beyond

Most NC schools reopen this month. For some parents and children, this will be a first—a 3-year old going off to preschool, a 5-year old going off to kindergarten for the whole day, an 11- or 14-year old going from the top of the ladder to the bottom as they enter middle or high school. What reactions are normal? And what might a parent do to smooth a transition? Read More

Overcoming Childhood Fears

We’re all familiar with Charlie Brown of Peanuts fame. In one cartoon, he shares, “I’ve developed a new philosophy, I only dread one day at a time.”

Although dreading one day at a time is probably an improvement over dreading all the days at once, I think we would agree that being filled with dread, fear, or anxiety is not a healthy way to live. But what is a parent to do if they see these things, not in themselves, but in their child? For insight from Dr. Heath Greene and Mrs. Teresa Tindall, two of ACC’s therapists who work with children, Read More.

Friend of ACC - An Interview with
Dr. Vaughn McCall

As a physician and Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Dr. McCall offers a unique perspective as a Friend of ACC. Read More

United Way - A Way to Give

Each fall brings the United Way campaign to our community.

Did you know you may designate that your donation be given to
Associates in Christian Counseling?

ACC’s code number is 2062.

If you write 2062 on the United Way form,
ACC will receive your gift.

"Lose if for Life" Beginning Soon

“Lose it for Life” is a comprehensive approach to health that includes physical, emotional, relational, mental, and spiritual well-being. Special attention will be given to weight management issues. This group will meet weekly at ACC.

For more information, please contact Mr. Kim Whitehurst at 336-896-0065, ext. 204,
or info@christiancounseling.org.

Book Reviews

Boundaries with Kids
Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend
Zondervan, 2001

Provides keys for establishing health boundaries—the bedrock of good relationships, maturity, safety, and growth for children and adults.

How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and
How to Listen So Kids Will Talk
Adele Faber and Elaine Mezlish
Harper Collins Publishers, 1999

Provides helpful steps for happier, more constructive parent-child relationships.

Stress and Your Child
Dr. Archibald D. Hart
Thomas Nelson, 2005

Offers insights on dealing with everyday stress. Provides examples of simple things that can be done to safeguard stress overload. Describes the mental and health problems which come with too much stress.

Stressed or Depressed: A Practical and Inspirational Guide for Parents of Hurting Teens
Dr. Archibald D. Hart and Dr. Catherine Hart Weber
Integrity Publishers, 2005

Discover the link between stress, anxiety and depression. Learn how to nurture healthy attitudes in your teen as well as when and how to find the right professional help if needed.

The Worried Child—Recognizing Anxiety in Children and Helping Them Heal
Paul Foxman, PhD
Hunter House, Inc., 2004

Shows how to minimize or prevent anxiety by raising a child’s self-confidence, increasing social and self-control skills, and teaching them how to communicate their feelings and needs.

A Thought

Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.

Fred Rogers

Wish List

We are in need of some additional computers,
Pentium 3 or newer. Due to space constraint, laptops are preferable
but not essential.

If you are able to
help, please contact
Rick Cole at
896-0065, ext. 205, or via email.

Fast Facts

Only about 21% of children in the US who need mental health services actually receive them. (American Journal of Psychiatry, 2002)

About 13% of children between the ages of 9 and 17 have an anxiety disorder.
(US Surgeon General, 1999)

Early childhood trauma can lead to memory problems and mental and cognitive declines later in life because early emotional stress can lead to a slow decline in neuron communication within the brain, particularly in the region associated with learning and memory recall. (Journal of Neuroscience, 2005)

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