Utah Valley Health and Wellness Magazine – Mar/Apr issue

Check out our newest issue. Local Utah Valley professionals give expert advice on a variety of health and wellness topics. Learn about gardening, staying fit, how to build wealth, signs your marriage could be in trouble and more. Enjoy!...

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Six Signs Your Marriage Could Be In Trouble – by Dr. Triston Morgan

When Julie and Chris (not their real names) entered my office, they were not looking at each other. I could tell they had been in a fight recently, and that it had been a bad one. They told me it started last night when Chris came home late from work and didn’t tell Julie where he had been. When asked about it, Chris became defensive. “Can’t I come home without getting the third degree?! I’ve been working hard all day to support this family!” He told Julie to stop being “such a nag.” Julie shot back a quick remark about his incompetence as a father because he had missed their son’s basketball game, again. Whether it plays out in marital therapy or in many of your homes, this isn’t an uncommon scenario. What I told Julie and Chris surprised them. I told them the fact that they fought wasn’t the problem. The fact that they argued wasn’t (read more)...

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Spirituality and Therapy: Bridging the Gap

In generations past, issues of faith and spirituality were often deferred to clergy and chaplains.  It could easily be argued that psychology, as a discipline, has maintained a reputation for reducing issues of faith and belief to mere symptoms of other issues, thereby discrediting the significance and importance of the subject matter itself. However, things are changing.  Ironically, as Len Sperry from Florida Atlantic University recognizes, “[Today], more individuals in various cultural contexts are increasingly seeking out psychotherapists and other practitioners, rather than ministers or spiritual guides, to deal with these concerns or foster their spiritual growth and development.” (Sperry, 2014)  This calls for a new breed of psychotherapist.  One who is not only skilled in matters of psychological, emotional, relational, and cognitive health, but also one who understands the various theoretical approaches to religious studies and the ethical implications of such for their client...

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Introducing therapist Kenneth Jeppesen at the AF Center for Couples and Families

Kenneth Jeppesen joined the American Fork Center for Couples and Families in 2015. He is a master at knowing what it takes for couples to be successful in their relationships. Kenneth uses the "Gottman Method" in the counseling room and has presented all across Utah Valley on this topic. This method is based on decades of successful marital research by John Gottman. With skill and precision, Kenneth helps clients apply these findings in a way that produces happiness in relationships. Kenneth specializes in marriage counseling, depression, anxiety and faith-based crisis counseling....

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3 Reasons Why Reflective Listening is Awesome – by Joan Landes

Listening sounds easy. But it’s not. Real listening takes effort and skill. Listening isn’t passing the time until the speaker runs out of things to say. Or mentally finding fault with the speaker’s argument so you can shoot down their logic. Or waiting for the speaker to take a breath so you can interrupt. These kinds of listening patterns can create a small war! Therapists use a technique called “reflective listening” that can be useful for everyone. Reflective listening is different from the communication styles you grew up with (unless you are the child of psychotherapists), and is built on four main principles: Reflective listening is present in the moment. When listening, you don’t let your mind wander. You stay present with the speaker and give her your full attention.   Reflective listening uses aligned body language. A reflective listener takes approximately (...

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Free Marriage Workshop – American Fork Center for Couples and Families

March 16, 7:00pm @ American Fork Library. The American Fork Center for Couples and Families - Marriage therapist Kenneth Jeppesen will condense 40 years of marital research and teach you how to have a happier marriage. His last presentation in Orem on this topic was standing room only. Come early to get a seat!...

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GROW YOUR MONEY – BY DAVE YOUNG

You wouldn’t consult an electrician about heart surgery, a dentist to do your taxes, or a plumber for legal advice. Since the investment decisions you make today critically affect your future, wouldn’t it make sense to work with an experienced investment specialist?   For some reason, it has always been easier to lose money than it is to make it and keep it.  The FBI calculates that in recent years there were more than 4,400 victims of fraud in Utah, totaling a net losses of $1.4 billion dollars (www.fbi.gov).Properly managing your investments is critical to your long term financial success.  It is not optional. First, it requires (read more) ...

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Small Steps, Big Change by Dr. Bob Lindberg

I believe there are three basic components that shape us as human beings: physical/biomechanical, biochemical, and emotional/mental/spiritual.  In order for us to reach our potential, all three of these areas need to be in balance. Here are a few small steps we can take in each area to help us reach a more balanced state, and produce big changes by the end of the year: Physical/Biomechanical: Since you spend your life in your physical body, keeping it healthy is a must! Exercise is important but finding the time and energy to go to the gym 3-5 times a week can be difficult.  How about starting with...(read more)...

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Welcome therapist Daniel Colver to Spanish Fork CCF

Join me in welcoming marriage and family therapist DANIEL COLVER to the Spanish Fork Center for Couples and Families. He specializes in COUPLES therapy, FAITH-BASED CRISIS counseling, ANXIETY and DEPRESSION treatment. He is currently working on a PhD specializing in integrated healthcare. Interesting fact about Daniel – he was an AERIAL GUNNER in the U.S. Air Force! He takes that same courage into the counseling room to help you battle life’s difficulties. http://spanishforkfamilies.com/news/  ...

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Resolutions: Tricks of the Trade

Be a better person. Be happier! Don’t get mad at the kids. Make more money! These are all good ideas for New Year’s resolutions, but flawed in their design. If you are like me, you have already set New Year’s resolutions and look forward to what this coming year will bring. There is a trick, however, to make sure you set yourself up for success. Being a goal driven person is a good thing—let’s make sure, however, that you don’t stumble out of the gate. Over the years I have heard many couples tell me that they want a “better relationship,” or that they need to work on their “communication problems.” Creating a better relationship is a fantastic idea and worthwhile goal for every couple in or out of therapy. However, to successfully achieve this goal, we need to drill deeper to understand what having a better relationship means. For some, it might mean improving their fun and play together through a date night every Friday. For others, they would spend less time with electronics and ...

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