Do you ever feel like change is mundane? It can be but in today's episode Laura is going to talk about why change in the mundane is just as important or even more important than the big "aha" moments. She will discuss our culture's obsession with the big moments, the places where change actually happens, why we overlook these boring moments and how to accept the slow pace of healing. You can subscribe today on AccessMore or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode.

Do you ever feel like you are too much? Too emotional? Too needy? If you do, then this episode is for you. Today, Laura is going to talk about where the belief that you are a burden comes from, how to identify it, how to talk to that inner child about it, and then learn to reclaim the space you deserve. You can subscribe today at AccessMore or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode.

Do you feel highly offended? Or do you find yourself offending others? In today's episode, Laura is going to talk about this very important topic. She will talk about what it means to be offensive and what it means to be offended, how to manage extremes, and what to do if I have offended someone or am offended by someone. You can subscribe today on AccessMore or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode.

In today's episode, we will dive a little deeper into shame; what it is, what it's not, and how to use it in a healthy way.

Today's episode will talk about the things to pay attention to as you are walking along your healing journey. There are markers to look for to know if healing is really happening or not.

What do you do when you are having feelings about something and have to go to work? Or be available to your kids? Or are in a place where it is not safe to process? Today's episode is going to discuss the topic of containment--what we do with our feelings when they are "too much". There will be an exercise at the end of the episode as well, so be ready to pause if you need to find the space to do it.

Many people identify as peacemakers and wear it like a badge of honor. What do you do when you realize that peacemaking really isn't about everyone else? What do you do when you learn peacemaking is about you? Today's episode will tackle this topic and give you a couple of tools to navigate some growth in this area.

Today, Laura is going to take a little turn from the usual format of our podcasts and talk about how her own journey to faith has been impacted (and directly correlated) to her emotional and mental health.

Today's episode will discuss the importance of looking at our attachment style. Laura will also talk about how our attachment style affects our relationship to other people. Finally, we will discuss ways to help become more securely attached to yourself and God!

In this episode, Laura talks about the concept of empathy. It is such a timely episode, given so many things going on in our world. Every person, regardless of your stage in life, needs to listen in. If we could all practice empathy, the people around us might be able to see Jesus a little more. And we could all use that. 

Feelings are an important part of our mental health journey. In this episode, Laura will discuss what feelings are and what purpose they serve in our emotional and spiritual wellness.

Laura Williams Exclusive Devotional

In this episode, Laura will discuss the idea of reparenting and the freedom that comes from being able to give yourself what you need. When we can identify the places we are stuck, reparenting helps you move forward and grow into a functional adult.

This is one of the most popular phrases in our society today but, do we really live by it? It is actually one of the healthiest ways to live (with a few exceptions of course) but one of the most difficult things to do--live in the middle.

Did you know that you can hold someone accountable without blaming or holding a grudge? There is a very big different between acknowledging hurt that someone has caused and holding a grudge. In today's episode, Laura is going to discuss the differences and why it is important, and how to move from a grudge into accountability. You can subscribe today on AccessMore or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss and episode.

Taking care of ourselves involves knowing our needs and wants. In order to do that, we need to know how we were treated as children in regards to our neediness. As adults, we need to be able to know what we need, take responsibility for ourselves and ask for help if we need it.

Knowing our reality is one of the most important things we can tackle in counseling. We need to know where we are in order to get where we want to go. This takes humility and the ability to hold ourselves accountable without judgement or shame. It is vital to our work in our mental health journey.

How to protect myself from the world and how to protect the world from myself...boundaries seems to be one of the most difficult topics to understand and incorporate. Most people can identify what kinds of boundaries we need but have a hard time keeping them. Today I will unpack why boundaries are so complicated.

Worth or value is given to us first and foremost by God but our parents have to grow it. There are many ways this can go sideways. If you have learned to value yourself by your career, your status in your community, whether you are a good mom/dad or not, or any other ways outside of yourself, this episode is for you. We are not better than or less than anyone else. 

In order to know how we need or want to change, we have to become aware of ourselves and our world. In today's episode, we are going to discuss the topic of awareness, what it means and how to increase it.

Have you ever read the second half of a book without reading the first half? Doing therapy without going back would be like reading the ending of a book without reading the beginning. A lot of times, people do not like to "rehash" their childhood. However, it is essential in the development of the main character in your story, YOU. In this episode, Laura will talk about the importance of your family origin and how it formed the adult you are today.

Trauma is a complicated word and most of us did not make it out of childhood without it. In this episode, Laura will unpack three specific questions: 1. What is trauma? 2. What can it look like in my adult life? 3. What can I do about it?

In this episode, Laura will tackle one of the hardest questions most Christians tackle in regards to their mental health-- "if I struggle with my mental health, does it mean that my faith isn't big enough?" She will discuss how your journey to emotional wellness actually brings you closer to Jesus.

In this first episode, join Laura as she begins to tackle the subject of emotional and mental health in the church. Why should I go to counseling? Why does it take so long? Why me? Why not me? These are only some of the whys she will talk about in this first episode. Whether you have never been to counseling or you are a seasoned client, these episodes will be full of life changing concepts and tools for YOU.

Welcome to Encountering You with licensed professional counselor Laura Williams. Listen as she tackles tough issues relating to your mental health and how they relate to your faith journey just like you heard on 'Out of the Dark' with Mandisa, but here Laura will dive a little deeper with you to unpack topics like trauma, can I be a Christian and struggle with my mental health, what are boundaries and how do I grow them, shame, abuse, dealing with resentment and anger and other issues in counseling.

In this podcast, you will be challenged. If you are willing to move, even and inch, change is inevitable. Each episode will be full of information, so bring a notebook along. Every episode will also include some kind of reflection, journal prompt or practice for you to try in between episodes. These may feel hard to do, but I promise they will create movement. Sometimes when something resonates with you, it can feel positive. But, be aware that many times, conviction can feel uncomfortable. So, if something I say creates discomfort, sit with it. See what God is trying to move in you.

A new episode of Encountering You will be available every Wednesday starting April 6 so make sure to subscribe as we embark on a journey of hearing the places God wants to bring you in your story!

Wondering what all this reparenting talk is about? In today's episode, Laura is going to discuss reparenting, why it's vital to your healing, the biology behind it, and actually how to do it. It's an important part of your healing journey so you are not going to want to miss this episode. You can subscribe today on Accessmore or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode.

Thanks for listening, be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode and for more shows like this, check out AccessMore!

Do you ever wonder why it is difficult to feel the fruit of the spirit? Many people struggle with these because they haven't tackled wounds in their stories. Without certain skills, the fruit of the spirit may feel out of reach. Today, Laura will unpack the last four fruits of the spirit and talk about why you may struggle. You can subscribe today on AccessMore or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode.

Do you ever wonder why it is difficult to feel the fruit of the spirit? Many people struggle with these because they haven't tackled wounds in their stories. Without certain skills, the fruit of the spirit may feel out of reach. Today, Laura will unpack the first five fruits of the spirit and talk about why you may struggle. You can subscribe today on AccessMore or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode.

Do feel comfortable in your body or do you struggle with feeling beautiful? In today's episode, Laura is going to tackle the complicated topic of beauty and modesty, how we tend to confuse the two, how modesty has been protrayed and what it really is. You can subscribe today on AccessMore or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss and episode.

Organization and order are important aspects of our life. Many people think the need for structure is the same as the need for control. These are not the same thing. In today's episode, Laura will talk about why ritual, rhythm and routine are all very important aspects of feeling settled in our lives. You can subscribe today on AccessMore or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode.

Did you know that the collision of faith and counseling can actually make your relationship with the Lord grow deeper and stronger? In today’s episode, Laura will talk about how the idea that counseling takes away from your faith or that if you need counseling your faith isn’t strong enough is absolutely. It true! The Lord wants us to seek counsel and today we will look at the myths of this stigma and how to encourage our communities to embrace health around these beliefs. You can subscribe today on AccessMore or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode.

Did you know there is a difference between being a good person and being a safe person? In today's episode, Laura is going to unpack the difference between acting like a good person and truly being a safe person. She will discuss why being safe is so important, what are the key traits of a person who is safe, and most importantly, how to be a safe person yourself. You can subscribe on AccessMore or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode.

In the world of Instagram and TikTok, many of us are hearing and using terms that we don't truly understand. Gaslighting is one of those terms. In today's episode, Laura is going to walk you through what the term gaslighting actually means, how to recognize the signs big and small, understand the emotional and spiritual impacts of gaslighting, and what healing can look like. You can subscribe today at AccessMore or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode.

Are you stuck in the comparison trap? Feeling like you can never measure up? Or sometimes feeling like I have to be better than someone else to be good enough? In today's episode, Laura is going to talk about how prevalent this is, why we do it, and how to grow through it. You can subscribe on AccessMore or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode.

Did you know that loneliness is one of the primary things that people present with in counseling? Many people come into therapy feeling like they are the only one that struggles. You are not alone. In today's episode, Laura is going to talk about her own story and how your journey in counseling can help you connect to yourself, to your story, to others and primarily, to God. You can subscribe today on Accessmore or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode.

Do feel exhausted, irritable, anxious, or just want a break? You may be at risk for burnout. Burnout sneaks up on all of us and it is important to recognize the signs. In today's episode, Laura is going to talk about how to identify when you are getting close to needing to slow down, even if you feel like you can't. You can subscribe today on AccessMore or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode.  

"Overflowing Joy” can be purchased at OverFlowingJoyBook.com

https://www.bhpublishinggroup.com/product/overflowing-joy-2/#flipbook-sampler/

Wherever You Go I Want You To Know is available here. Save 25% by using code: Go25

Did you know that you can impact someone else in your life with your own nervous system? Whether it is the cashier at the grocery store or your closest relationship, your nervous system is impacted by and will impact other people. In today's episode, Laura will talk about several different examples of where this will show up from casual acquaintances and workplace relationships to your best friend or significant other. You can subscribe today at AccessMore or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode.

"Overflowing Joy” can be purchased at OverFlowingJoyBook.com

https://www.bhpublishinggroup.com/product/overflowing-joy-2/#flipbook-sampler/

Wherever You Go I Want You To Know is available here. Save 25% by using code: Go25

By now you have likely heard about the passing of my dear friend and Out of the Dark co-host, Mandisa. In light of this, we are going to pause for a bit to honor her and take the time to grieve her loss.

We'll be back in May, but if you would like more resources on how to navigate grief, below you'll find links to previous episodes to help you walk through this journey.

I look forward to being back with you soon.

Previous Episodes on Grief:

Dealing with Despair

Is it Healthy to Regret: Grief About Time Lost

The Radical Truth: Healing Takes a Long Time

Containment-When My Feelings are Too Much

Wherever You Go I Want You To Know is available here. Save 25% by using code: Go25

Do you consider the stress of parenting to be overwhelming or sometimes too much? It's possible that you are having reactions to your children that are more about trauma than parenting. In today's episode, Laura will talk about how stress in parenting can easily trigger parts of your story and create unnecessary activation in your nervous system and then give you resources on how to cope. You can subscribe today on AccessMore or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode.

"Overflowing Joy” can be purchased at OverFlowingJoyBook.com

Wherever You Go I Want You To Know is available here. Save 25% by using code: Go25

Do you often feel overwhelmed and wonder if this feeling will ever go away? Today, Laura is going to talk about traumatic stress and how it can actually show up in your day to day life. She is going to discuss how to identify traumatic stress and give you tools to help heal it when you are experiencing it. You can subscribe today on Access More or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode. 

"Overflowing Joy” can be purchased at OverFlowingJoyBook.com

Wherever You Go I Want You To Know is available here. Save 25% by using code: Go25

We all talk about stress but do you really know what stress is and how to manage it? Today starts a month long series about stress. April is stress awareness month so what better time than that to really unpack it. Laura is going to talk about what the risks of stress are, the window of tolerance and how to manage it, and ways to cope with stress. Most of all, she is going to help you understand that we don't have to wait for stressors to go away to feel the peace of God! You can subscribe today on Access More or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode.

"Overflowing Joy” can be purchased at OverFlowingJoyBook.com

Wherever You Go I Want You To Know is available here. Save 25% by using code: Go25

As we draw near to the celebration of Easter, we are going to examine the lens with which you look at life. Much like glasses, the lenses can either make things clearer or cloudier. Today, Laura is going to talk about the importance of the lens we look at life through, how to keep it clear, and how living "in light" of the cross is so different than living in the "possibility" of the cross. You can subscribe today on AccessMore or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode.

"Overflowing Joy” can be purchased at OverFlowingJoyBook.com

Did you know that you can experience a form of trauma just from watching the news? Vicarious or secondhand trauma happens when we overidentify with someone else's trauma. Many people mistake it for empathy when it is not. In today's episode, Laura will talk about why this happens and give you resources to help yourself create peace in a seemingly chaotic world. You can subscribe today on AccessMore or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode.

"Overflowing Joy” can be purchased at OverFlowingJoyBook.com

The word triggered has become common language in our culture today. But, do you really know what it means? Today, Laura will unpack what a trigger actually is, what a trigger is not, how to identify when you are triggered and how to work through one if you are having it. You can subscribe today at AccessMore or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode.

Anger and rage are two things that most people deal with but not all people acknowledge. During the season of Lent, Laura is going to focus on the things in life that can be maddening sometimes, all through the lens of the hope that the Resurrection of Jesus brings us on a daily basis. In today's episode, she is going to discuss anger and rage, how it looks different for men and women, different ways rage can come out, and then how to process both. You can subscribe today on AccessMore or wherever you listen to podcasts.

"Overflowing Joy” can be purchased at OverFlowingJoyBook.com

Did you know that despair is an emotion that most everyone feels at some point in their life? Laura is going to use the season of Lent to talk about the things in life that create a feeling of chaos and confusion in the light of the truth and hope that the Resurrection of Jesus brings us. In today's episode, Laura is going to discuss the idea of despair, what it is, the role of hope, and how to reparent the parts of you that feel despair. You can subscribe today on AccessMore or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode.

Do you feel selfish when you prioritize yourself in your relationship? In today's episode, Laura is going to talk about how to love yourself well in the context of a relationship. She is going to talk about self-care, boundaries, and towing the line between being selfish and prioritizing self. You can subscribe today on AccessMore or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode.

Did you know that trauma shows up in our relationships? There are 3 different ways this can happen...trauma from our family of origin, trauma from previous relationships, and trauma from the relationship we are currently in. In today's episode, Laura is going to talk about each one of these and give you tools to navigate how trauma is entering into your relationships. You can subscribe today on AccessMore or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode.

What is unconditional love really? Today, Laura is going to talk about what unconditional love is and what it is not. You are going to learn ways to identify unhealthy behaviors in your relationships and ways to grow your ability to have unconditional positive regard with the people closest to you. You can subscribe today on AccessMore or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode.

What does it really take to maintain healthy relationships? In today's episode, Laura is going to discuss 6 practices that you can start today in order to grow a healthy relationship. From healthy communication to having fun, these practices can help you in whatever relationships you find yourself in. You can subscribe today on AccessMore or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode.