The Shepherd's Staff

10/06/2026

Success requires depth before it can bear any fruit. Check out this quick word for the day from staff therapist Matt Thames, LPC.

I want to succeed. Success requires depth before it can bear any fruit.

09/15/2026

Why is communication so hard? Our new blog post from Matt Thames addresses this challenge, as well as each party’s responsibilities for productive communication.

Communication can be difficult, but if both parties stay open and receptive to one another and their roles in the process understanding is achievable.

09/01/2026

The great Kentucky farmer and poet Wendell Berry has passed away. His poetry captured the sublime beauty and peace found in nature, and will be a source of inspiration and comfort for generations to come.

08/31/2026

Is it just back-to-school stress, or am I actually depressed? New blog post is up.

Sometimes it can be hard to know if life is just stressful or if we’re experiencing depression. These are some signs and symptoms to watch for.

08/24/2026

The new blog post is up! What do our brains need to actually feel better? Hint: It’s not just insight.

What our brains need in order to feel better is not only insight, but also safety and recalibration.

07/15/2026

We’d be honored if you would vote The Shepherd’s Staff as the best Counseling Center in the Clarion Ledger’s 2026 Community’s Choice Awards!
https://clarionledger.gannettcontests.com/2026-Jackson-Communitys-Choice-Awards/gallery/?group=551469&fbclid=IwZnRzaATD6U1wZG9mAWZkaWQWUKlrGMLe-0gH8uVGEXUw2FeAJZtoWGV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR723dBXzWmtIAMQV-3ntLSiRORZC7WUdY82FUZnt1y2DEavP5L_7PMOQc9WOA_aem_bD85ikWBqhBAF7LMvmlTAA

Check it out now!

06/25/2026

04/06/2026

Parenting a neurodiverse child can involve a lot of questions and stress, along with the sweet moments.

This post shares five practical ways to support your neurodiverse child at home with more understanding, flexibility, and connection.

Read more here:

Support your neurodiverse child at home with practical, compassionate strategies. Build connection, reduce overwhelm, and help your child thrive.

03/25/2026

Study shows that writing about our emotions actually calms them. Journal away!

Putting feelings into words does more than help you reflect. Brain imaging research shows it can shift activity inside emotional circuits.

The amygdala is often described as the brain’s threat detector. It helps you quickly respond to stress and uncertainty. When emotions feel intense or overwhelming, this region can become more active.

Studies using brain scans have found that labeling emotions — even briefly — is associated with reduced amygdala activity and increased engagement of the prefrontal cortex. The prefrontal cortex supports planning, reasoning, and self-regulation. In simple terms, writing about emotions appears to shift processing from automatic emotional reactivity toward more deliberate control.

Expressive writing research, including randomized controlled trials, suggests that structured emotional writing can reduce rumination and improve psychological well-being over time. When experiences are translated into language, the brain organizes them differently. What felt chaotic becomes structured, stored, and easier to reflect on.

This does not mean writing erases stress. It means the act of labeling feelings recruits regulatory networks that help the brain process emotional information more efficiently.

Even brief writing sessions have been linked to measurable changes in emotional processing patterns.

Source: Frontiers in Psychology; Mindfulness (Springer)

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified professional for personal concerns.

03/07/2026

The science of relationships!