Care to Change Counseling - Practical Solutions for Positive Change

Care to Change Counseling
  • 4.7 (15)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Weekly

Experienced professionals talking about real life issues and relevant topics. Find hope and practical solutions for positive change. 

  1. 4d ago

    Burnout Isn’t Just Stress: When Rest Doesn't Work Anymore

    What if you’re getting enough sleep, taking weekends off, maybe even going on vacation, and you’re still exhausted? You may not just be tired. In this episode of the Care to Change Podcast, Mac Zambrano talks with therapist and Care to Change Managing Director April Bordeau about the difference between everyday stress and burnout, why traditional rest sometimes stops working, and how to recognize when exhaustion is telling you that something deeper needs attention. Burnout doesn’t always mean you need another day off. Sometimes you need a different kind of rest. You may be physically rested but mentally overloaded, relationally depleted, emotionally exhausted, spiritually dry, or carrying responsibilities that were never yours to carry. April and Mac explore what happens when caregivers, leaders, parents, pastors, therapists, first responders, and other helpers spend so much time caring for others that they stop noticing their own limits. In this episode, you’ll hear about: The difference between normal stress and burnoutWarning signs that stress may be becoming burnoutWhy sleep, weekends off, and vacations don't always restore usHow burnout can show up as irritability, numbness, resentment, detachment, difficulty concentrating, or loss of motivationThe different kinds of exhaustion we experience: physical, emotional, mental, relational, spiritual, and professionalWhy over-functioning, constant availability, and tying your identity to productivity can contribute to burnoutHow chronic stress can begin showing up in the bodyWhy your current season of life matters when evaluating your capacityThe difference between temporary relief and addressing the root of depletionHow boundaries, delegation, and sustainable rhythms can helpWhat Jesus models about solitude, withdrawal, prayer, and sharing responsibilityWhy burnout can be information rather than evidence that you aren't strong enoughThe goal isn’t simply to get better at recovering from an unsustainable life. The goal is to build a way of living that you don’t have to keep recovering from. If you recognize yourself in this conversation, you don't have to wait until you're completely depleted to make a change. Pay attention to what your exhaustion may be telling you, and consider what kind of support, boundaries, restoration, or deeper healing you need. Care to Change is here to walk alongside you. Other episodes that may help: Worklife BalanceBurnout & Compassion Fatigue

    Burnout Isn’t Just Stress: When Rest Doesn't Work Anymore

  2. Sep 28

    When Words Hurt: Overcoming Well-Intentioned Stupidity

    Sometimes the people who care about us most say the wrong thing at exactly the wrong time. “Everything happens for a reason.” “It could be worse.” “You just need to forgive.” “God won’t give you more than you can handle.” The intention may be good, but the impact can still hurt.  In this episode, Jared Jones sits down with therapist April Bordeau to talk about what happens when well-intentioned words land painfully. They explore why people often speak out of their own discomfort, how to acknowledge hurt without assuming the worst about someone’s heart, and what healthy repair can look like when words cause harm.  In this episode, you’ll hear about:  Why people say unhelpful things when they don’t know what to say  The difference between someone’s intent and the impact of their words  How seemingly encouraging statements can actually feel dismissive or invalidating  Why you can validate your hurt without assuming someone meant to hurt you  How to tell someone, with grace, where their words landed  What to do when you realize you’re the one who said the wrong thing  Why a sincere apology matters more than defending your intentions  How forgiveness, humility, and honest conversation can strengthen relationships April and Jared close with two important questions: Who might you need to forgive for words that hurt? And who might need an apology from you for words you never intended to cause pain?  If words have left a deeper wound than you know how to navigate, you don’t have to work through it alone. The team at Care to Change is here to help you find a path toward healing, healthier relationships, and hope.

    When Words Hurt: Overcoming Well-Intentioned Stupidity

  3. Sep 22

    Clergy Soul Care: Why Pastors and Leaders Need Care Too

    Pastors and ministry leaders are often invited into people’s hardest moments. They sit with grief, conflict, betrayal, trauma, addiction, family struggles, church hurt, and major life transitions. That work is meaningful, but it can also be incredibly heavy. Sometimes the person helping everyone else find peace is quietly carrying pain of their own.  In this episode, Jared Jones talks with Mac Zambrano, counselor and former pastor, about the unique emotional and relational weight ministry leaders carry and why caring for their own souls is an important part of faithful leadership. You’ll hear about:  The unrealistic expectations pastors can place on themselves and that others can place on them  Why ministry leaders need permission to grieve, hurt, rest, and simply be human  How criticism, conflict, betrayal, and people leaving a church can affect pastors personally  Why forgiveness doesn’t mean ignoring hurt, skipping grief, or eliminating healthy boundaries  The emotional weight of walking alongside people through loss, suicide concerns, marriage struggles, divorce, parenting challenges, and other difficult seasons  Why every leader needs a place where they are not the leader The importance of honest self-check-ins: What am I carrying? Where am I discouraged? What has been life-giving? What do I need to surrender to God?  Why Sabbath, boundaries, safe relationships, and time with God that isn’t connected to producing a sermon or serving others are essential forms of soul care   Practical ways church members can encourage and care for pastors through prayer, notes, encouragement, practical help, and simply allowing them to be human Mac offers an important reminder for ministry leaders: God loves you beyond your role. Your value isn’t dependent on how well you preach, how much you accomplish, or how available you are to everyone around you.  And for those being cared for by pastors and ministry leaders, this episode offers a simple challenge: care for the people who care for you. Send the note. Pray for them. Encourage them. Offer practical help. Let them know their faithfulness is seen. Scripture also reminds us to honor those who lead and care for us spiritually, including 1 Thessalonians 5:12–13 and 1 Timothy 5:17.  For additional resources on church hurt, burnout, emotional health, and leadership, visit Care to Change or listen to previous episodes of the Care to Change podcast.

    Clergy Soul Care: Why Pastors and Leaders Need Care Too

  4. Sep 16

    Forgiveness When It Feels Impossible: A Story of Abuse

    Forgiveness is difficult in any painful relationship. But what does forgiveness look like when the hurt involves abuse? And can you forgive someone while still maintaining boundaries, requiring accountability, and choosing safety? In this episode, April Bordeau is joined by Care to Change coach Sherry Follett and “Lynn,” a mother whose daughter experienced domestic abuse. Lynn shares the impact abuse had not only on her daughter, but on their entire family, and the ongoing struggle of forgiving someone who caused significant harm.  Together, they explore the complexity of abuse, why leaving is rarely as simple as it appears from the outside, and why forgiveness should never be confused with excusing harmful behavior or restoring unsafe relationships.  In this episode, you’ll hear about:  How abuse can be emotional, verbal, psychological, financial, spiritual, sexual, or physical  Why recognizing and naming abuse is an important part of healing  Common barriers that make leaving an abusive relationship difficult  Why forgiveness is often a process rather than a one-time decision  What forgiveness does not mean: forgetting, excusing, trusting again, removing consequences, or minimizing what happened  Why forgiveness and reconciliation are not the same thing  How healthy boundaries and limited access can coexist with forgiveness  The grief that accompanies the loss of trust, safety, relationships, and the future you thought you would have  Why family members may move through forgiveness at very different speeds  How abuse creates a ripple effect throughout an entire family   Resources that can help survivors and their families move toward safety and healing One of the most important reminders from this conversation is that forgiveness does not mean giving someone continued access to you. It does not remove responsibility or consequences. Instead, forgiveness can become a choice to release yourself from remaining emotionally chained to what happened, even when the feelings take much longer to follow.  If you are experiencing abuse or questioning whether a relationship is abusive, you do not have to navigate it alone. Seek support from a qualified professional or domestic violence organization. Safety comes first, and healing is possible.  Resources:  Domestic violence hotline number(s) —  Text 88788 or call 800-799-SAFE, or locally call 317-745-1496.Sheltering Wings - for shelter and resourcesLeslie Vernick — The Emotionally Destructive Marriage and The Emotionally Destructive RelationshipNatalie Hoffman — Is It Me? Making Sense of Your Confusing MarriageLysa TerKeurst — Forgiving What You Can’t ForgetIf you are struggling with forgiveness after being deeply hurt, Care to Change is here to walk alongside you with compassion and competent care.

    Forgiveness When It Feels Impossible: A Story of Abuse

  5. Aug 26

    How to Have Hard Conversations Without Burning Bridges

    Hard conversations are part of every meaningful relationship. But when we avoid them, emotions can build until a conversation that could have created understanding instead becomes reactive, overwhelming, or damaging. Done well, difficult conversations can actually leave us feeling more heard, understood, and connected.  In this episode, Jared Jones talks with Brittany Gipson, Director of Clinical Services and counselor at Care to Change, about how to approach difficult conversations in ways that protect relationships rather than burn bridges.  You’ll hear about:  Why avoiding difficult conversations often makes them harder over time  How your family of origin influences the way you handle conflict  Why self-awareness and emotional regulation matter before the conversation even begins  How to identify what the conversation is really about  Why preparation can help you enter a difficult conversation with greater confidence  How to choose the right time and setting  The importance of active listening, validation, and “I” statements  How to recognize your own nonverbal cues and emotional activation  What to do when a conversation becomes emotionally charged  Why taking a break doesn’t mean abandoning the conversation  How to check whether the other person actually heard what you intended to communicate  The importance of repair, follow-up, and reconnecting afterward  Brittany and Jared also offer an important reminder: repair matters more than perfection. The goal of a hard conversation isn’t to convince, control, criticize, or change another person. It’s to communicate honestly while approaching the relationship with curiosity, compassion, and a willingness to listen.  When people feel safe, heard, and respected, difficult conversations can become opportunities to strengthen trust rather than destroy it. And like any skill, the more we practice healthy communication, the more natural it becomes.  If difficult conversations or relationship challenges are leaving you feeling stuck, the counselors at Care to Change are here to help. Visit Care to Change to learn more about counseling and resources designed to help you build healthier relationships.

    How to Have Hard Conversations Without Burning Bridges

  6. Aug 26

    Back to School & Family Rhythms: What Every Child Needs for a Healthy School Year

    The school year can quickly become a blur of homework, practices, activities, packed schedules, and pressure. But what children often need most isn’t another activity or achievement. They need a home that provides stability, connection, and safety.  In this episode, Mac Zambrano talks with therapist Teresa Haskins about the power of family rhythms and how the routines, relationships, boundaries, and faith practices we build at home can support a child’s emotional and mental health throughout the school year. You’ll hear about:  Why predictability and consistency help children feel safe  Daily, weekly, seasonal, and faith rhythms that strengthen families  Signs your family may be “off tempo” and simply surviving  Why a parent’s own emotional regulation affects the emotional safety of the home  How to validate a child’s emotions without becoming overwhelmed by them  Simple ways busy parents can create meaningful moments of connection  Why sleep, healthy routines, opportunities to de-stress, and celebrations matter  How family rhythms naturally change as children grow  Why modeling faith may be even more important than talking about it  How to recognize when your family’s pace has become too fast or overcommitted  What to do when your family gets “off tempo” Teresa offers an important reminder: every family’s rhythm will look different. Rather than comparing your family to what you see around you, consider what kind of family you want to create and intentionally build rhythms that support that vision.  And when the rhythm gets disrupted, as it inevitably will, the goal isn’t perfection. It’s learning how to find your way back. Your children don’t need a perfect schedule or a perfect parent. They need caring adults who are present, consistent, and willing to keep showing up. Care to Change is here to help, if and when you are ready.

    Back to School & Family Rhythms: What Every Child Needs for a Healthy School Year

  7. Aug 23

    Back to School: The Warning Signs You Don’t Want to Miss: How to Spot Mental Health Concerns in Kids

    Back-to-school season brings new routines, expectations, friendships, activities, and pressures. Some stress is normal, but how can parents tell when their child is adjusting and when something deeper may be going on?  In this episode, Mac Zambrano talks with Jared Jones about the warning signs parents should pay attention to and four important needs that help kids and teens thrive: structure, engagement, nurture, and challenge. You’ll hear about:  How to tell the difference between normal back-to-school stress and a developing mental health concern  Changes in mood, behavior, sleep, relationships, and daily functioning that may signal a child is struggling  Why predictable routines and expectations help kids feel safe  Better questions to ask instead of simply, “How was school?”  Why timing and genuine presence matter when trying to get kids to open up  How to validate difficult emotions without reinforcing avoidance  Why kids need both nurture and opportunities to do hard things  How parents can help children develop confidence through challenge, failure, and growth  When it may be time to involve a teacher, counselor, mentor, or mental health professional  How faith and trusted community can provide perspective and support during difficult seasons The goal isn’t to eliminate every uncomfortable emotion or difficult experience. It’s to notice changes, stay curious, remain connected, and create a home where kids know they can bring what they’re experiencing. As Mac summarizes: structure communicates safety, engagement communicates “I see you,” nurture communicates love, and challenge communicates “I believe you can do hard things.”  If you’re noticing changes in your child that are lasting, intensifying, or interfering with everyday life, you don’t have to wait for a crisis to reach out. Care to Change is here to help you determine what comes next.

    Back to School: The Warning Signs You Don’t Want to Miss: How to Spot Mental Health Concerns in Kids

  8. Aug 10

    Back to School - The Adults Kids Never Forget

    Teachers, coaches, and mentors influence far more than academics or athletic performance. The way they encourage, challenge, correct, and respond to mistakes can shape how kids see themselves for years to come. In this episode, Mac Zambrano talks with John Crane about how trusted adults can build confidence, create healthy expectations, respond well to mistakes, and remind kids that performance matters, but performance does not define them.  You’ll hear about: Why teachers, coaches, and mentors can have such a significant influence on a child’s mental and emotional healthWhy sports can become a “laboratory for life”How to separate a child’s identity from their performanceThe difference between healthy challenge and unhealthy performance pressureWhy consistency and honesty build trust with kids and teensHow favoritism can quietly undermine a team’s cultureWhy encouragement is especially important when correction is necessaryHow an adult’s apology can build rather than diminish credibilityWays parents, teachers, and coaches can work together instead of against one anotherThe value of giving parents and coaches time to cool down before addressing conflictHow adults can help kids set their own goals and navigate the difficult moments involved in reaching them, andWhy the conversations that seem ordinary today may be remembered by a child decades from nowKids may forget the score or assignment, but they rarely forget the adult who saw them, believed in them, and helped them through a difficult season.  Need support for a child, teen, family, or the people you lead? Care to Change is here to help. Visit the Care to Change website to connect with our team, explore resources, or learn more about how we support individuals, families, schools, churches, and organizations.

    Back to School - The Adults Kids Never Forget
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Experienced professionals talking about real life issues and relevant topics. Find hope and practical solutions for positive change. 

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