By Jonathan Decker, Clinical Director, LMFT Lately it feels like America is being torn asunder. Between hate crimes against the LGBT community, divisive politics, cops shooting civilians, civilians shooting cops, and mass media stirring the pot, as a nation we seem in short supply of unity, understanding, and shared respect. But my wife and I witnessed a moment of love and gratitude that will rema ...[Read More]
When 40,000 Christians Gave a Muslim a Standing Ovation
“All Hands on Deck” – How Christ Rescues Us From Despair
Jonathan's note: Although I am a man of faith, I have the utmost respect for those who do not share my beliefs. I share this deeply personal poem, which I wrote years ago in a time of turmoil, in the hope that it will bring spiritual relief to those looking for such. “All Hands on Deck” By Jonathan Decker The world's a storming, tumultuous sea With multitudes drowning, struggling, los ...[Read More]
4 Ways to Handle Your Spouse Changing from Jekyll to Hyde
By Jonathan Decker, Clinical Director, LMFT We’ve all experienced it, the “Jekyll-and-Hyde Syndrome,” in which a normally decent partner, friend, or family member turns into an irrational dolt and/or grumpy monster. We feel frustrated when they won’t listen to reason, hurt when they lash out, and confused when they make choices we don’t agree with. In life and in my therapy practice, I’ve fo ...[Read More]
The Best Ways to Help When Someone is Grieving
By Jonathan Decker, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist In 2005 one of my college buddies lost his mother to terminal illness. My heart broke for him: I was close with my mom and struggled to comprehend what it would be like if she died. Although I wanted to be there for him, I found myself frozen into inaction, intimidated by the enormity of his loss. I felt inadequate in the face of it. Nothi ...[Read More]
ONCE I WAS A BEEHIVE Family Movie Review
By Jonathan Decker (Family therapist, film critic) WHAT'S ONCE I WAS A BEEHIVE ABOUT? Still mourning her father's death, a teenager from a Protestant family gets roped into attending a Mormon summer camp. IS IT ANY GOOD? (GRADE: B+) Faith-based comedies often fall terribly flat. Wholesome doesn't always equal funny, and good intentions don't necessarily lead to polished screenplays (or performanc ...[Read More]