Kimberlyn Jaggers, Author at Allen Christian Counseling

About Kimberlyn Jaggers

As your counselor, I will meet you exactly where you are with unconditional compassion to help you navigate life’s trials and challenges. No matter where you are in your relationship with God, I offer a safe space to be heard in all situations. My ultimate goal is to display the love of Christ to each individual who enters the therapy room, no matter their past, their religion, or their trials. Clients will also benefit from my work being supervised by marriage and family therapist Monica Marterella, MS, LMFT-S, LPC-S. With kindness and a nonjudgmental presence, I will work with you to create a treatment plan to help you meet your goals and experience the growth God has planned for you.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Overeating Disorder

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Overeating Disorder

Kimberlyn Jaggers, Kate Motaung2025-05-26T12:58:36+00:00May 26th, 2025|Eating Disorders, Featured, Individual Counseling|

Do you struggle with an overeating disorder? This eating-disordered behavior causes you to eat larger portion sizes than appropriate. You may return to the kitchen for a second, third, and fourth helping. You may serve yourself three to four times a serving. Overeating disorder can lead to physical and mental issues. People who overeat consistently struggle with being overweight or obese, fatigued, have digestive problems, disruptions in the hunger and fullness cues, experience brain fog, increase their risk for disease, and may feel anxious and depressed. Low self-esteem and weight gain often follow consistent overeating. But more therapists are turning to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as a treatment for overeating disorder. CBT Strategies For Overeating Disorders CBT effectively treats several mental disorders, including Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), anxiety disorders, and anger disorders. The foundation of CBT is the link between thoughts, emotions, and actions. When you identify negative thoughts, you can reframe the narrative and change the resulting feelings and behaviors. The compulsive behaviors of overeating disorders (and all eating disorders) follow thoughts. CBT teaches you how to retrain your brain to think differently. The following list includes CBT strategies and other tips for overcoming overeating disorders. However, if you believe you need more help than the CBT strategies listed below, reach out for assistance from a mental health professional. Overcoming an eating disorder takes time and effort and does not happen overnight as you change your thinking and behaviors. Working under the guidance of a therapist will provide the support you need. Identify negative thoughts Have you ever stopped to analyze your thoughts? Before, during, and after an overeating experience, are you aware of the thoughts bombarding you? You might have a few of the following: I know I don’t need [...]

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Hear Me Out: Effective Listening and Communication in a World That Is Always Talking

Hear Me Out: Effective Listening and Communication in a World That Is Always Talking

Kimberlyn Jaggers, Kate Motaung2025-05-01T06:41:16+00:00May 1st, 2025|Featured, Individual Counseling, Personal Development, Relationship Issues|

We all want to be seen, known, and loved. It is an innate desire that God designed. Since the beginning, humankind has been seeking acceptance and affirmation through effective listening and other techniques. Our Father provided it in the garden, but everything changed when Adam and Eve responded to the serpent’s invitation to eat from a forbidden tree. The enemy spun the narrative that God was withholding goodness from them, despite Him furnishing a paradise for them to enjoy His presence and one another. That was the day communication unraveled. They listened to the enemy accuse God and twist His words. When Adam and Eve accepted the devil’s lies, it bankrupted them of their abundance. Instead of returning to the Father to clarify instructions, they covered themselves and hid. When He located them, God confronted the lie they believed. Instead of acknowledging their sin and error, they blamed one another and shifted responsibility. The Challenge of Effective Listening and Communication Throughout the ages, this breach of communication has had endless consequences. Primarily, it disrupted Adam and Eve’s intimate fellowship with their Creator. It distorted their communication with one another. Finally, deception and sin exacted a toll that only the Son of God would one day redeem. As a result, many generations later, we experience similar challenges. The same communication strategies that isolate, blame, cover, and hide us from God, ourselves, and others still surface in our interactions with one another today. We struggle to hear what is being said or to offer effective listening. The intent and impact of sin is to drive a wedge between humankind and our Creator. This division also shows up in our relationships with others made in God’s image. It manifests in our listening, speaking, and body language, diluting our ability to connect. From [...]

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Bible Verses About Worry: How to Handle It God’s Way

Bible Verses About Worry: How to Handle It God’s Way

Kimberlyn Jaggers, Kate Motaung2025-04-17T05:47:30+00:00April 16th, 2025|Anxiety, Featured, Individual Counseling, Spiritual Development|

Looking for Bible verses about worry? You’ve come to the right place. Of the many human experiences we have in common, worry is probably one of the more common. Even those individuals who tend to be unshakeable in a crisis find themselves, in certain circumstances, pondering what is to come, what might happen next, and the best strategy to face this possible future. Worry seems to be a common human struggle that takes up a lot of head space and can make life harder than it has to be. Our lives today are quite fast-paced, and there are a lot of moving parts that make up the whole. We are bombarded by news, viral social media stories and clips, and more every hour of every day. These often tell us how things could go wrong at any moment, whether it’s our health, relationships, finances, or the future of our planet. But no matter what the topic, the predominant theme is to be worried or concerned. Christian Counseling Allen understands these challenges and offers support for those seeking clarity and peace amidst the chaos. It’s no wonder we are anxious about ourselves, our lives, and what coming next. Challenges are real, but maybe there’s a different way to deal with them. The Bible offers us a different way, one gives us both comfort and practical wisdom along the way. Why Worry Isn’t Good for You When things seem like they are larger than life, immediate, and possibly life-altering, one of the strategies we can employ is to worry about them. Maybe it gives us a sense of control or mastery over the situation but worry seems to be how we naturally respond to anything that is uncertain or may pose a threat to us and our well-being. Worry isn’t necessarily all [...]

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7 Ways to Love People with ADHD

7 Ways to Love People with ADHD

Kimberlyn Jaggers, Kate Motaung2025-04-16T18:28:25+00:00April 1st, 2025|ADHD/ADD, Featured, Individual Counseling, Relationship Issues|

People who live with ADHD function in a slightly different way from everyone else. Much of the time, they don’t understand themselves, and many are frustrated, exhausted, and lonely from trying to fit in with society or to mask their symptoms. People with ADHD tend to be extremely sensitive to rejection, most of them fearing it will happen at any time. Just as every person receives and communicates love and affection in their unique way, those with ADHD feel loved when you do certain things for them. As neurotypical people, we might not have even considered some of these things to be particularly loving. But to those with ADHD, there are no better ways to feel loved, understood, and valued. For those navigating these dynamics in relationships, Christian Counseling Allen can offer guidance and support tailored to both individuals and couples. 7 Ways To Love Individuals with ADHD Doing solo activities together Most people with ADHD, like extroverts, love doing things together. This doesn’t mean you have to focus on each other for it to count. Sometimes, doing different activities in the same room is the best way of spending quality time with someone with ADHD. For example, you might be doing housework in the same room they are playing video games in. Though they are not focused on you, they will find your presence comforting and enjoyable. When people with ADHD spend too much time alone, they are prone to overthink and spiral. Sharing space with them as you both do solo activities often helps them focus and keeps them calm. Let them share about their latest hyper-fixation If you’ve spent any amount of time around someone with ADHD, you will know that they often have a new point of interest. People with ADHD don’t become casually interested [...]

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Parenting Principles and Practices for Developing Core Values in Kids

Parenting Principles and Practices for Developing Core Values in Kids

Kimberlyn Jaggers, Kate Motaung2025-03-13T04:46:45+00:00March 10th, 2025|Christian Counseling for Children, Christian Counseling For Teens, Family Counseling, Featured, Individual Counseling|

Long before our children came into the world, we developed ideas about our lives. For many of us, that included what our families would be like, whether it was the number of children or assertions about what we would or would not do in parenting. Subconsciously, we formed scripts borne out of the best and worst of our own childhoods. While life may not have mirrored our specific expectations, vision plays a significant role in shaping our core values. What we identify and prioritize will be reflected in our parenting and our children. Our negative experiences can have an impact on families, but when redeemed and framed in the positive, they can be used for good. God created us with imagination. He uses it as a canvas to communicate what is possible. When we dream with God, our delight in the Lord causes our hearts to be filled and overflowing with His desires (Psalm 37:4). As His Word guides, He reveals ideas for a godly legacy. Regardless of our pasts, God’s Heart showcases His plans for the family of humanity. Our Vision and Values While we may have a vision for our children and family, the enemy does too. Our fallen world presents its own set of barriers that oppose our objectives and the values that anchor and stabilize us. Our fight is not against other people, but against a defeated foe (2 Corinthians 10:4). We take courage with the arsenal of spiritual weapons and armor at our disposal (Ephesians 6:10-18). We take comfort in being reinforced by the Spirit of Christ to firmly establish His kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy, even in our family. Whether we give birth or adopt, we have a divine privilege to partner with God in our parenting. When God gives us the [...]

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4 Ways to Help Children of Divorce Adjust to This New Life Transition

4 Ways to Help Children of Divorce Adjust to This New Life Transition

Kimberlyn Jaggers, Kate Motaung2025-02-19T11:55:55+00:00February 18th, 2025|Christian Counseling for Children, Christian Counseling For Teens, Family Counseling, Featured|

Divorce is a difficult life transition for adults, but children have an even more difficult time. Divorce can be filled with unknowns and a fear of the future. Additionally, kids must split their time between parents, and parents sometimes use the time with their children to gain an advantage over the other, making the kids choose which one to love more. This puts a lot of stress and anxiety on children because they love both their parents. We must also add that parents sometimes begin dating again, and kids must acclimate to new partners and stepparents. This transition is a lot for a child, especially with school and other activities vying for their time. Although professional help might be the best way to go when helping a child cope with divorce, some children don’t want to (or can’t) afford therapy, which makes it easier for kids to suppress their emotions and carry them with them as emotional baggage throughout their formative years. Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. – Proverbs 22:6, NIV 4 Ways to Help Children of Divorce Adjust Despite all the typical transitions that transpire, there are ways parents can help children cope with divorce. Here are four ways to help children of divorce come to terms with a new chapter in their lives. Give them space Some parents, out of emotional guilt, force their kids to talk about their feelings when they’re not ready. Some kids need more time to discuss their emotions than others. If they grew up in a home where they tend to be quieter and not express their feelings freely, it will be more difficult than ever for them to talk to their parents about how they’re [...]

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5 Steps to Dealing With a Lying Teen

5 Steps to Dealing With a Lying Teen

Kimberlyn Jaggers, Kate Motaung2025-02-15T05:02:48+00:00February 17th, 2025|Christian Counseling For Teens, Family Counseling, Featured, Individual Counseling|

Our relationship with our teenage children often gets rocky or fractured as they grow. Statistically, teens are more likely to lie or conceal the truth than any other age group, which can damage our relationship with them further. There are many reasons why our teens lie, and there are many ways we react to them, some of which will drive a distance between us and them. It takes patience and self-reflection to deal with a lying teen, but practicing some simple disciplines could be enough to mend a broken relationship with them. Why Teens Lie While we should never try to generalize teenagers, some characteristics are true of many teens that can help us understand them. Firstly, most teenagers are concerned with peer approval. It is a time in their lives when they are trying to establish their identity, almost like building a house brick by brick. Gaining the recognition and respect of people in their sphere of influence means finding a foundation for their identity, and establishing themselves in the teenage pecking order. On the other hand, teens who find themselves on the fringe of their society without community or connection are as shaped by this experience as the popular teens. Secondly, most teens are focused on establishing their independence and autonomy, which will be an important part of their adult lives. During the teen years, they might begin struggling with the tension of being part of a family unit with its own established value system and determining their own set of morals and values. Many teens will pull away when they realize that they don’t agree with the way things are done in their family. This is not necessarily a judgment or indictment of our parenting but is a common event in a teen’s life. They are [...]

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Attachment Issues in Relationships: How They Could Affect You

Attachment Issues in Relationships: How They Could Affect You

Kimberlyn Jaggers, Kate Motaung2024-12-21T09:30:29+00:00November 25th, 2024|Abandonment and Neglect, Featured, Individual Counseling, Relationship Issues|

It’s been said that to understand where you are and where you are going, you need to look back to see where you’ve been. The person that you are today didn’t materialize out of thin air. You’ve been shaped by various experiences – the good, the bad, and the ugly - and these have contributed to how you think, act, and are in daily life. While we aren’t determined by our past, it does play a role, whether big or small, in who we are today. If you look at your current relationships with other people, a large part of how you relate to others today is shaped by past experiences that formed your expectations and posture toward relationships. A person’s ability to form emotional bonds and connections with others is referred to as “attachment.” Depending on certain formative experiences, a person may have a healthy or unhealthy attachment style. Attachment and Attachment Styles A person’s attachment style will often be shaped by the early childhood experiences they have with their parents or caregivers. These experiences, which include whether their various needs were met, consistently influence how one navigates and perceives relationships with others. What a person goes through shapes their expectations about whether it’s safe to share what you need, and if others can be trusted to understand and meet your needs. There are a few different types of attachment or attachment styles. Some attachments are secure, which describes a posture of feeling safe, supported, and comfortable with intimacy and independence when in a relationship with others. There is also an anxious-preoccupied style, describing a posture of being fearful of abandonment, which often results in seeking constant reassurance and being overly dependent on others. Then there is the dismissive-avoidant style, where one is emotionally distant and unavailable, often prioritizing [...]

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How to Handle Insecurities in a Relationship

How to Handle Insecurities in a Relationship

Kimberlyn Jaggers, Kate Motaung2024-12-21T09:45:56+00:00September 16th, 2024|Featured, Individual Counseling, Relationship Issues|

Finding a person who qualifies to become your significant other can be a feat in and of itself. Someone once said that the world of 21st-century dating and relationships is an extreme sport. As you come to that relationship, whether through a dating app, a blind date, or a meet-up at a coffee shop, you bring everything that you are, both the good and the bad, into the relationship. The good thing about healthy and secure relationships is that we can entrust ourselves to our partners, warts and all. If we are primed to give and receive love, we can be vulnerable and open about our weaknesses. However, if you feel insecure in a relationship, you may be hesitant to divulge your weaknesses, and you aren’t able to enjoy the relationship because you’re constantly on edge. Being able to handle your own and each other’s insecurities in a relationship can help you be at peace and flourish as a couple. What are insecurities? The term insecurity can cover a broad range of thoughts, feelings, attitudes, and behaviors that indicate uncertainty and a lack of confidence. Sometimes, our insecurities are about the relationship itself, such as when we’re not sure that the person we’re with is right for us. At other times, our insecurities are more about ourselves than they are about the other person. For instance, when you’re not sure if you are the right person to be in this relationship. The motivational speaker Tony Robbins says: “Relationship insecurity means you’re unsure and unconfident about your relationship. It’s a deep belief that you just aren’t good enough for your partner, that you don’t deserve love, or one of many other limiting beliefs that cause you to feel anxious. You may doubt your value and have a low sense of [...]

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How to Effectively Overcome a Negative Body Image

How to Effectively Overcome a Negative Body Image

Kimberlyn Jaggers, Kate Motaung2024-11-13T11:13:04+00:00August 21st, 2024|Coaching, Featured, Individual Counseling, Personal Development, Spiritual Development|

A few millennia ago, a wise person wrote “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life” (Proverbs 4:23, NIV). Inside the culture from which this proverb emerged, your heart was the seat of your desires, your will, your emotions, and the source of your actions. In other words, your heart is what makes you who you are, and you need to guard what goes into and influences it because it can determine the course of your life. We are constantly bombarded with messages about who we are and what makes us valuable. Through social media, interactions with friends, movies, and music, and through magazines and legacy media, our tastes, worldviews, interests, and passions are shaped. This is to say nothing of how our family, friends, and the culture we are embedded in work the same way to shape who we are. These various influences and our life experiences can combine to help us form a healthy view of ourselves, but they can also conspire to create an unhealthy or negative view of our bodies and ourselves. Understanding body image Body image relates to the feelings, thoughts, attitudes, and experiences of your own body. We can appreciate our bodies, but we can also have a negative attitude toward them. Any number of influences from your life experience and the culture in which you’re embedded can shape your body image. In the U.S., most of our media portray the standard of beauty in a certain way. If you accept that standard, it can lead to dissatisfaction with who you are, or pressure to maintain a certain feature. A negative body image emerges when you dislike your body (or parts of it) and you have a negative attitude toward yourself and your body’s capabilities. A person’s body [...]

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Kimberlyn Jaggers

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