Ryan and Jamie Christiansen have been married for 19 years, have six children and own and operate ABC Counseling Services, Grounded Within and Academic and Behavioral Counseling services in St. George, Utah where they provide mental health services for children, teens and adults. They also write for the SUN Magazine distributed in Washington County and Mesquite, NV. They have presented locally and internationally and provide Mental Health Work through the Reach Out and Learn Foundation.
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15 November 2019
Many have experienced it. Many have made it through. Many are experiencing it now and wondering if they can or ever will make it through. The emotional storm of Betrayal or Relational Trauma is a real thing. The damaging and destructive path always has the same markers. Anxiety over the possibility…
31 October 2019
Over the past few years, bullying has become more prevalent in elementary, junior high, high school, private school and colleges. Programs and educational material have been created or improved to address this behavior in these settings. Unaddressed, this behavior becomes harassment in the workforce and abuse in close relationships. Interestingly, bullying doesn’t just…
10 October 2019
Summer and holidays often provide opportunities for families to get together. My experiences with family over the course of this Summer, reminded me of some important attachment principles that help us with the little traumas we experience throughout life. I have an uncle who loves to share the funny- no,…
18 August 2019
One of the oldest pieces of furniture and one too which has been used in countless metaphors is the three-legged stool. It is simple in its design and yet consistent in its stability. Science has been able to prove that the three-legged stool, chair or table is superior to the…
31 July 2019
In couples and family counseling, we are sometimes asked if we have a magic wand or pill to make children behave. Many parents feel frustrated and overwhelmed about child rearing from time to time. Although there is no magical answer to changing your child’s behavior, there are some strategies that…
19 July 2019
Parents play an integral part in establishing healthy attachment and developing balanced intimacy for our children. According to Walker, Busby, Lovett and Carol, Experts on human intimacy, balanced intimacy is comprised of three dimensions. The first dimension is the Physical Dimension that includes the physiological process that influence satisfaction, pleasure,…
28 June 2019
Think Experience Outside The Box! Our typical experience is that one day rolls into the next, one-month rolls into the next, we blink our eyes and we’re staring down the barrel of another New Year’s Day saying: where the heck did the time go? While shopping recently, this advertisement on…
08 May 2019
Depending on the type of trauma a person has experienced, the following may be excellent resources for working through the effects of trauma: Acupuncture Art & Art Therapy Body/Energy work Ego State and/or Parts and Memory work EMDR Martial Arts (Qi Gong, Tai Chi, etc.) Massage Psychodrama Yoga (Slow and…
08 May 2019
Closeness, connection and intimacy has very little to do with words or understanding someone and has a lot to do with the energetic, emotional, mirroring and reciprocating responses that communicate synchrony, acceptance and validation. Flat and/or stone-cold facial expressions, verbal threats and violent reactions can easily become the seeds for…
08 May 2019
Resilience is the desired outcome of trauma focused therapy. We all naturally believe we are resilient and can handle anything. Most of the time we can logic or think through our circumstances and push aside emotions and beliefs in order to accomplish goals, survive and get by. Sometimes however, our…