Category: Relationships & Family Life

— 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

— Depression, Mental & Emotional Health, Mental Health & Support, Relationships & Family Life, The Well, Trauma —

Between Sessions: Therapy Tools to Support Healing and Save Money

June 28, 2025
This is your journey.

When you’re juggling grief, financial stress, and overwhelming emotions, therapy can feel like both a lifeline and a luxury. At Barksdale Missions, we know healing takes time—but we also know that progress doesn’t only happen in the therapy room. Whether you’re spacing out sessions to save money or simply trying to stay grounded during a… Read More Between Sessions: Therapy Tools to Support Healing and Save Money

— ADHD, Child, Mental & Emotional Health, Mental Health & Support, Parenting & Child Development, Relationships & Family Life, Teens, The Well, Toddlers, Women's Issues —

Understanding ADHD: Support, Not Stigma

June 20, 2025

As therapists, our goal is to help individuals understand their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors so they can feel empowered, build healthy relationships, and navigate life’s challenges with more ease and confidence, including ADHD. One common concern we see in both children and adults is ADHD—short for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Let’s break it down. What is ADHD?… Read More Understanding ADHD: Support, Not Stigma

— 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

— Mental & Emotional Health, Mental Health & Support, Relationships & Family Life, The Well, Women's Issues —

Supporting Women Diagnosed with Autism in Adulthood

June 19, 2025

When a woman receives a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in adulthood—especially while managing complex roles such as motherhood, partnership, or a professional career—it can be both validating and overwhelming. Many women report years of masking their differences, struggling with burnout, and feeling “different” without understanding why. This guide shares autism-related books and resources… Read More Supporting Women Diagnosed with Autism in Adulthood

— Anger Management, Anxiety, Faith & Well-being, Mental & Emotional Health, Mental Health & Support, Postpartum Support, Relationships & Family Life, Self-Harming, The Well, Women's Issues —

52 Gentle Ways to Lower Stress and Reclaim Calm

June 16, 2025

At Barksdale Missions, we believe that healing starts with intentional, sustainable care—body, mind, and spirit. Stress may be part of life, but it doesn’t have to rule your day. Whether you’re navigating parenthood, managing mental health, or simply trying to feel more grounded, these 52 gentle strategies are here to help. You don’t have to… Read More 52 Gentle Ways to Lower Stress and Reclaim Calm

— 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

— ADHD, Anxiety, Child, Mental & Emotional Health, Mental Health & Support, Parenting & Child Development, Relationships & Family Life, Stepchild, Stepparent, Support, Teens, The Well, Women's Issues —

Navigating Life with ADHD: A Parent’s Perspective

January 29, 2024

Life can be incredibly challenging for both parents and children impacted by Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Many children with ADHD are unfairly labeled as “bad” kids, leaving parents and caregivers feeling frustrated, judged, and often defeated. As an adult with ADHD and a mother of children who also have ADHD, I’ve experienced my fair… Read More Navigating Life with ADHD: A Parent’s Perspective

— 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