Blog | Second Story Counseling | Grand Rapids, MI 49525

Is Your Phone Competing With Your Spouse? How to Fight Digital Distraction in Marriage

By Eric Winer, MA, LPC

Posted: October 1, 2025

The truth is, our phones will always clamor for attention. Notifications don’t stop, feeds never end, and someone is always posting something new. But your marriage deserves more than the leftover scraps of your focus. By choosing to put your spouse first — even in small, ordinary moments — you send a powerful message: “You are my priority.” Over time, those intentional choices build intimacy, trust, and a marriage where both partners feel seen and valued.

Exercises: Compassion for Parts of You that You’ve Hated

By Kimberly Bytwerk, MA, LPC, ESMHL

Empathy

Posted: September 15, 2025

You likely have adopted and are continuing to use the same treatment on yourself that you were taught growing up, and for many of us, it wasn't always kind. You may not even consciously realize what you are doing let alone be able to make...

Leaves, Lakes and Low Blood Pressure

By Natasha Busscher, MS, LPC

Self-Care

Posted: September 5, 2025

Peace and healing often live in those moments beyond the chatter and busyness of everyday life — right there among the rustling leaves, singing birds, and the occasional squirrel with no sense of personal space.

Which Discomfort Will You Choose?

By Melissa Richmond, MA, LLC

Emotions Comfort

Posted: August 27, 2025

The reality is that there will be discomfort either way, but emotional expression can lead to a more integrated, embodied self, where repression will not. Which discomfort will you choose?

Managing Expectations

By Guy Flom, MA, LLC

Expectations

Posted: August 22, 2025

What areas in your own life can you look into that may help reduce the number of fires in the first place? Almost every individual has the potential and capability to look deeply within themselves and identify areas of growth and how to positively influence those areas. How can you begin to promote wellness today?

Changing Habits

By Mike Steffes, LLMSW, MDiv

Change Habits

Posted: August 15, 2025

Changing habits is a complex but achievable process that requires awareness, commitment, and strategic planning. It begins with identifying the specific behavior you wantto alter and understanding the underlying motivations and triggers that influence it.

Rituals of Connection: Small Moments That Strengthen Relationships

By Lexi Weimer, LLC

Connection

Posted: August 6, 2025

In the chaos of daily life, work demands, endless to-do lists, parenting, TikTok, it’s easy for couples to go from being emotionally attuned partners to functional roommates. The love is still there, but the connection may feel buried under the busyness. Life has gotten louder,...

Being Okay With Not Being Okay

By Drew Woznick MA, LPC

Emotions Coping Counseling Process Feelings

Posted: August 1, 2025

Being okay with not being okay Sometimes I tell my clients that I wish I had a Staples easy button. I could just press it and make everything wrong in their lives start going right again, and it would be… well, easy. And for some...

Starting Difficult Conversations

By Danielle Fall, MA, LPC

Communication Connection Family Life Relationships

Posted: July 23, 2025

Where I grew up, people often joked if you don’t like something, just say “oh, that’s different” and the other person will get the idea. Or at a social gathering, when someone slaps their knees while getting up and says, “well, I suppose…” what they really mean is “we’re getting bored and want to go home, so see you later.”

Why Change Feels Impossible (Even When We Want It)

By Mark Holloway, MA LPC

Change

Posted: July 18, 2025

We have the desire to change, we have the ability to change and we have all the tools to change, so why don’t we? Why is a seemingly simple request so difficult for us to do?