Deborah Pettitt, Author at Family Christian Counseling

Stress Health

Posted on January 13, 2020 by Deborah Pettitt

I thought this week I would give a short summary of a great website for helping parents and caregivers care for traumatized children. The site is found at www.stresshealth.org. The site starts with a positive message: research shows parents can be the most powerful force in preventing or even reversing the impact of toxic stress

Posted in Parenting, Research

Repair and Emotional bids

Posted on December 28, 2019 by Deborah Pettitt

If you have read any of our blogs on marriage you probably remember the name John Gottman and the dreaded “Four Horseman”. Gottman is known for the Four Horsemen, but also how, in a healthy relationship, each negative exchange during conflict should be balanced by five positive ones. Gottman calls this the magic ratio. Two

Posted in Marriage Therapy

A Beautiful Day in the neighborhood

Posted on December 16, 2019 by Deborah Pettitt

I just read an interview with Tom Hanks who plays Fred Rogers in the movie, it was just a joy to read. Tom talks about the moment that made him “ball his eyes out”. Tom was not a Mr. Rogers fan growing up, he says he was too busy watching Rocky and Bullwinkle. A friend

Posted in Encouraging Stories mister rogers

Christmas letter

Posted on November 23, 2019 by Deborah Pettitt

Dear Parents, As Christmas approaches, I would like to offer some things for your consideration that might help your children and you get through the holidays more easily this year. Christmas is stressful for everyone, but especially for children with troubling pasts. It is best to focus on your relationship with your children first and

Posted in Parenting

Horses that Heal

Posted on November 8, 2019 by Deborah Pettitt

I just read an article titled “Horses that Heal”, I was amazed at what I learned and I thought I would share some of it with you this week. It was an interview with actress Jennifer O’Neil who has started an equine assisted program for traumatized adults. Since 2010 she and other volunteers have operated

Posted in Animal Assisted Therapy equine, horses