JCAC's Blog & Podcast

Aug
17

How Family Therapy Helps Strengthen Relationships: Understanding Family Systems Theory




TOPIC: Family Therapy & Family Systems


WRITTEN: August 4, 2026 by Ceyda Duman


WILL BE REVIEWED: August 2029



Families play a significant role in shaping how we communicate, cope with stress, and build relationships. While many people think of therapy as something that happens between one individual and a therapist, family therapy takes a broader approach by recognizing that each family member influences the entire family system.


At JCACounseling in Alpharetta, Georgia, we provide family therapy to help children, teens, parents, and families improve communication, resolve conflict, navigate life transitions, and build healthier relationships. Family therapy focuses on understanding how family mem...


Aug
08

Bowen Family Systems Theory: Understanding Family Patterns and Improving Relationships Through Therapy




TOPIC: Bowen Family Systems Theory: Understanding Family Patterns and Improving Relationships Through Therapy


WRITTEN: July 24, 2026 by Audrey Cornell


WILL BE REVIEWED: July 2029



Family relationships can have a powerful impact on how we communicate, handle conflict, manage stress, and experience relationships throughout life. If you find yourself repeating unhealthy family patterns, feeling overwhelmed by family conflict, struggling with anxiety related to relationships, or carrying emotional experiences from childhood into adulthood, Bowen Family Systems Theory may help you better understand these challenges.


At JCACounseling in Alpharetta, Georgia, our therapists use evidence-based approaches...


Aug
06

How Emotionally Focused Therapy Helps Couples Break Negative Cycles and Rebuild Connection



TOPIC: Ending Negative Cycles and Improving Communication in Relationships: How Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) Helps Couples


WRITTEN: July 17, 2026 by Ashlee Park


WILL BE REVIEWED: July 2029


Relationships can sometimes feel like a dance where two people are moving to different rhythms. Even couples who deeply love each other may find themselves stuck in repeated arguments, feeling misunderstood, disconnected, or unable to communicate their needs effectively.


When conflict becomes a pattern, many couples begin to wonder: Why do we keep having the same arguments? Why do I feel unheard? How can we reconnect?


Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is an evidence-based couples therapy approach that hel...


May
19

You’re Not Alone, Mama: Support for the Fourth Trimester and Beyond



TOPIC: Postpartum Support Group for Moms: You Don’t Have to Do This Alone


POST BY: Mikayla Minehart, LPC, NCC, PMH-C, EDIT-C - CLICK HERE TO SEE HER BIO


WRITTEN: May 19, 2026


WILL BE REVIEWED: June 2029


No one talks enough about how emotionally complex postpartum life can be.


One moment you may feel deep love and gratitude, and the next you may feel overwhelmed, anxious, exhausted, disconnected, or unlike yourself. The transition into motherhood is huge, and even when it’s beautiful, it can also feel incredibly hard.


Many moms silently wonder:
“Why am I struggling?”
“Why do I feel so overwhelmed?”
“Why does everyone else seem to handle this better than me?&r...


Oct
20

🌿 Connection With A Purpose: A Free Community Mental Health Event


At Johns Creek and Alpharetta Counseling (JCAC), we believe connection changes everything. When individuals are equipped with the tools to recognize, assess, and cope with mental health challenges, they’re more likely to reach out for help and support others in doing the same. That’s the heart behind our annual Connection With A Purpose event — a day dedicated to mental health awareness, education, and community connection.


💛 Event Details


📅 Date: Saturday, October 25
🕙 Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
📍 Location: Milton Community Center
🎟️ Admission: FREE (Register to receive a free meal ticket)


To register, visit Connection With A Purpose Tickets


This free family-friendly ev...


Jun
27

When Behavior Issues Are a Cry for Help: How Play Therapy Can Help



TOPIC: Behavior as Communication: The Power of Play Therapy


POST BY: Grace Lee, AMFT - CLICK HERE TO SEE HER BIO


WRITTEN: June 27, 2025


WILL BE REVIEWED: June 2028



As a therapist who uses child-centered play therapy, I frequently meet families who come into my office feeling overwhelmed, confused, and often defeated. Their child has been acting out, maybe through throwing tantrums that last for hours, refusing to follow rules, being aggressive toward siblings or classmates, or suddenly withdrawing. These behavior issues often leave parents asking, “What are we doing wrong?” or “Why is my child like this?”



First, let me reassure you: you are not alone, and you are not fai...


Jun
26

What’s Happening to Me? Understanding Hormonal Changes After Birth


TOPIC: Postpartum Hormones Explained: What’s Happening to Your Mind and Body After Birth


POST BY: Mikayla Minehart, Certified Perinatal Mental Health Therapist - CLICK HERE TO SEE HER BIO


WRITTEN: June 26, 2025


WILL BE REVIEWED: June 2028



If you’ve recently had a baby and find yourself crying more than usual, feeling overwhelmed, or wondering, “Why don’t I feel like myself?”, you are not alone, and you are not broken. The truth is your body and brain are going through massive changes. And at the heart of it all? Hormones.


As a therapist certified in perinatal mental health, I’ve worked with many women who are shocked by how much their mood, energy, and emotion...


Jun
26

How to Build Healthy Self-Esteem in Your Teen: A Guide for Parents


TOPIC: How to Support Your Teen’s Self-Worth: Tools Every Parent Should Know


POST BY: Lillie Bamberg, LPC - CLICK HERE TO SEE HER BIO


WRITTEN: June 26, 2025


WILL BE REVIEWED: June 2028



Parenting a teenager today comes with a unique set of challenges—many of which weren’t as visible a generation ago. Thanks to the rise of social media, increasing academic pressure, and shifting cultural standards, more teens than ever are struggling with low self-esteem, lack of confidence, body image issues, and anxiety. These issues can deeply affect a teen's mental health, relationships, and ability to thrive in everyday life. As a parent, you can’t control the world they’re grow...


May
26

7 Common Communication Barriers in Relationships and How Couples Therapy Can Fix Them



Communication is the heartbeat of every healthy relationship—but it’s also where many couples struggle the most. Whether it’s misunderstandings, emotional shutdowns, or constant arguments, poor communication can leave couples feeling disconnected, frustrated, and unheard.


The good news? You’re not alone—and help is available.


In this blog, we’ll break down the 7 most common communication barriers in relationships and explain how couples therapy can help you and your partner rebuild trust, improve understanding, and strengthen your emotional connection.



💬 Why Communication Is So Important in Relationships


At its core, communication isn’t just about talk...


May
12

How Play Therapy Can Help Your Child Overcome Behavioral Issues and Emotional Struggles



When a child faces behavioral issues, emotional struggles, or experiences anxiety and grief, it can be incredibly challenging for both the child and their family. The feelings of helplessness and confusion are natural, but the good news is that there is a highly effective form of therapy designed to help children navigate these difficult emotions and behaviors: Play Therapy.


In this post, we will explore how play therapy works, why it’s beneficial for children facing behavioral challenges, and how it can help children process their emotions, overcome anxiety, and cope with grief. Let’s dive into how play therapy can be a game-changer for your child's emotional well-being.



What Is ...