Category: Family Conflict

— Anger Management, Family Conflict, Mental Health & Support, Parenting & Child Development, Parenting Resources, Relationships & Family Life, Stepchild, Stepparents & Stepchildren, Teens, The Well, Trauma —

Supporting a Teen with a Trauma History: Why “Emotionless” Isn’t the Whole Story

August 15, 2025
Supporting a Teen with a Trauma History: Why “Emotionless” Isn’t the Whole Story

Parenting a teen with a history of trauma, adoption, or disrupted attachment can feel overwhelming. You may find yourself wondering why your child seems distant, emotionless, or quick to defy rules. At Barksdale Missions, we hear this concern often — and we want you to know there are deeper reasons for these behaviors. If your… Read More Supporting a Teen with a Trauma History: Why “Emotionless” Isn’t the Whole Story

— Anger Management, Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, Birth Trauma, Depression, Family Conflict, Infant Loss, Infant Mortality, Medical Professional Stress, Mental & Emotional Health, Mental Health & Support, Mood Disorders, Postpartum & Loss, Postpartum PTSD, PTSD, Support, The Well, Trauma —

EMDR vs. CPT: Understanding Two of the Most Effective Trauma Therapies

July 19, 2025
EMDR vs. CPT Which is better?

When it comes to trauma therapy, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the options. Two of the most evidence-based and widely recommended treatments for trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). At Barksdale Missions, we often get asked, “Which one is better?” The… Read More EMDR vs. CPT: Understanding Two of the Most Effective Trauma Therapies

— Blended Families, Couples Counseling, Family Conflict, Marital Counseling, Relationship Issues, Relationships & Family Life, Stepparent, The Well —

Conflict in Marriage: It’s Not About Winning—It’s About Growing Together

June 20, 2025

When conflict arises in marriage, it’s easy to fall into a win/lose mindset. But the truth is, when one partner “wins” at the expense of the other, the relationship loses. Healthy relationships thrive not on control, but on collaboration. What if, instead of Win vs. Lose, we adopted a mindset of Win + Win? Here… Read More Conflict in Marriage: It’s Not About Winning—It’s About Growing Together

— Codependency, Couples Counseling, Family Conflict, Marital Counseling, Mental & Emotional Health, Mental Health & Support, Relationship Issues, Relationships & Family Life, The Well —

Understanding Codependency

June 19, 2025

Codependency is a dysfunctional relational pattern in which an individual prioritizes another person’s needs over their own, often to the detriment of their well‐being (Cermak, 1986). Originally identified in the context of familial alcoholism, codependent behaviors can emerge in any close relationship characterized by imbalance, enabling, and emotional suppression (Beattie, 1987). Signs and Symptoms of… Read More Understanding Codependency

— Anger Management, Family Conflict, Mental & Emotional Health, Mental Health & Support, Mood Disorders, Relationship Issues, The Well —

Understanding and Managing Anger: Tools for Emotional Wellness

June 16, 2025

Anger is a natural human emotion—one that everyone experiences. At its core, anger is a response to perceived threats, injustice, or unmet needs. While anger itself is not inherently harmful, how we express and manage it can significantly affect our relationships, mental health, and overall well-being. At Barksdale Missions, we believe in holistic, compassionate approaches… Read More Understanding and Managing Anger: Tools for Emotional Wellness

— Blended Families, Couples Counseling, Custody Issues, Divorce, Family Conflict, Marital Counseling, Parenting & Child Development, Relationship Issues, Relationships & Family Life, The Well —

Co-Parenting After Divorce: Essential Tasks for Parents and Kids

April 26, 2025

Divorce is a major life transition. For parents, it can feel like a personal and logistical upheaval. For children, it may bring confusion, loss, and insecurity. But with the right tools and a shared commitment to co-parenting, families can not only survive but heal and grow. Whether you’re in the early stages of separation or… Read More Co-Parenting After Divorce: Essential Tasks for Parents and Kids

— Anxiety, Family Conflict, Support, The Birth Chat, Toddlers, Women's Issues —

Work-Life Balance for Moms with Toddlers: Real-Life Tips for the Working Mama

March 21, 2025

If you’re a full-time working mom of a toddler, you know the juggle is real. Between daycare drop-offs, work deadlines, laundry piles, tantrums, and maybe remembering to eat lunch—it’s a lot. At The Birth Chat and Barksdale Missions, we believe in honest conversations and practical support. We see you trying to do it all, and… Read More Work-Life Balance for Moms with Toddlers: Real-Life Tips for the Working Mama

— Blended Families, Child, Family Conflict, Mental & Emotional Health, Mental Health & Support, Parenting & Child Development, Relationship Issues, Relationships & Family Life, Siblings, Stepchild, Stepparent, Support, The Well, Women's Issues —

Bidirectional Relationships in Stepfamilies: Mutual Impact Between Stepparents and Stepchildren

May 10, 2019

The was written as an assignment for FS468 Parenting in Contemporary Societies at Mississippi University for Women in Spring 2019. Bidirectional Relationships in Stepfamilies: Mutual Impact Between Stepparents and Stepchildren Ashley BarksdaleMississippi University for WomenApril 10, 2019 Introduction In the United States, approximately 9% of married couples and 12% of cohabiting households contain resident stepchildren… Read More Bidirectional Relationships in Stepfamilies: Mutual Impact Between Stepparents and Stepchildren