Relationship Prescriptions with Dr. Carol

Parenting doesn't end when your child becomes an adult. But parenting them the same way has to. That transition can be harder than many parents expect. When do you speak up, and when do you stay quiet? What do you do when you disagree with their choices? And how do you handle the grief when the close relationship you once shared begins to look very different? In this episode, Dr. Carol talks with Dr. Kathy Koch about how parents can move from directing their children to walking alongside them as coaches, mentors and trusted advisors. That means learning to listen without immediately correcting, asking permission before offering advice, and choosing shorter conversations over lectures that may only push an adult child further away. But what happens when the distance becomes painful — or your adult child disengages altogether? Dr. Koch offers hope for parents navigating strained relationships, unmet expectations and even differences over faith. She explains why your adult child cannot become the source of your identity or happiness and why sometimes you need to grieve the relationship you hoped you would have. You'll also hear how to communicate without triggering defensiveness, let go of regret over past parenting mistakes, and look for small signs of progress rather than demanding immediate change. And when your child has walked away from faith, you'll discover why demonstrating the reality of your own relationship with Jesus may be far more powerful than trying to convince them to return to church. Just because your role may have changed doesn't mean your influence has disappeared. For more about Dr. Kathy Koch, visit Celebrate Kids or follow her on Facebook and Instagram. Be sure to check out her book Resolve Conflict and Find Peace and Hope with Adult Children Dr. Koch's previous episode on Relationship Prescriptions: Helping Your Children Develop Character and Healthy Habits More from Dr. Carol Ministries: In-Person Intensive Weekend - Experience true healing and wholeness as you unpack your personal story around intimacy and relationships in a safe, caring, Christ-filled environment. No matter what story you carry from your past, everything changes when you invite Jesus to become part of that story. Individual Coaching with Dr. Carol - A one-on-one format to help you navigate your personal journey through practical encouragement and scriptural- based perspective. Have a question for Dr. Carol? She loves to hear from you! You can send her a confidential message here.

You can know your attachment style, understand your personality, read all the books, and still find yourself reacting in the same old ways. Why? Because information is not the same as transformation. In this conversation, Dr. Carol and author and licensed therapist Dr. Alison Cook explore what it takes to move psychological and spiritual insights from your head into the deeper places of your soul. They talk about secure attachment, why no human being can provide the fullness of security our souls need, and why true security begins with an inner attachment to God. The conversation introduces the idea of an "inner family"—the responsible controller, the wounded shadow, and the vulnerable young one—and offers a compassionate way to respond when these different parts of us become activated. Rather than suppressing or shaming those reactions, we can see them as bids for connection. The simple practice of "recognize and return" helps us notice what is happening inside without judgment, and then return to the truth that we are loved by God right in the middle of it. Over time, this kind of practice can retrain our souls toward greater security, integration, and genuine transformation. Connect with Dr. Alison Cook on her website, her podcast The Best of You, Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube Find her book The Secure Soul: Finding Inner Strength and Connection When Trust Doesn't Come Easy More from Dr. Carol Ministries: In-Person Intensive Weekend - Experience true healing and wholeness as you unpack your personal story around intimacy and relationships in a safe, caring, Christ-filled environment. Individual Coaching with Dr. Carol provides a one-on-one format to help you navigate your personal journey through practical encouragement and scriptural- based perspective. Have a question for Dr. Carol? She lov

What does it mean to be a sexual person when you're not married? In this replay of a webinar presented at the Sexual Integrity Leadership Summit, Dr. Carol challenges some of the assumptions the church has often made about Christian singles and sexuality. Sexuality doesn't disappear when you're single, and marriage isn't the goal of the Christian life; becoming like Jesus is. Jesus Himself was single, yet He was fully human, fully alive, and completely whole. Dr. Carol explores the important distinction between sexuality and sexual activity, and between sex and the deeper human need for intimacy. So how can Christian singles pursue genuine sexual and relational wholeness while honoring God's design for sexual activity within covenant marriage? Dr. Carol offers practical steps including consecrating your sexuality to Jesus, learning emotional self-regulation, developing an intentional plan for moments of temptation, and cultivating deep friendships with people who truly know you. And she challenges churches and Christian leaders to stop treating singles as people waiting for their "real life" to begin, but to instead help them flourish, experience meaningful intimacy, and become more like Jesus right now. More from Dr. Carol Ministries: In-Person Intensive Weekend - Experience true healing and wholeness as you unpack your personal story around intimacy and relationships in a safe, caring, Christ-filled environment. Find Dr. Carol's book Sexpectations: Reframing Your Good and Not-So-Good Stories About God, Love, and Relationships Individual Coaching with Dr. Carol - A one-on-one format to help you navigate your personal journey through practical encouragement and scriptural-based perspective.

In this enlightening episode, Dr. Carol and Beth Broom dive deep into the complexities of trauma and its profound impact on relationships, particularly within the Christian community. Beth shares her unique perspective, distinguishing between traumatic experiences and the internal responses that shape how we process pain including how to rebuilding trust. Together, they explore the Christian Trauma Healing Network and the SAFE model—an innovative framework designed to offer accessible resources for trauma survivors and their supporters. The conversation reminds us of the importance of bringing our pain and emotions before God, framing this act as both a step of faith and wisdom. You can connect with Beth Broom on her website, Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Check out the Counsel for Life podcast Beth Broom co-hosts with Eliza Huie. Find out more about the Christian Trauma Healing Network Find out more about Dr. Carol Ministries In-Person Intensives - Experience true healing and wholeness in a safe environment as you unpack your story around intimacy and relationships while inviting Jesus to be part of that story. Interested in a one-on-one format? Find out more about individual coaching with Dr. Carol. Dr. Carol loves to hear from you! You can send a confidential message here.