Stephanie Kramer, Author at Rowlett Christian Counseling

About Stephanie Kramer

Stephanie Kramer is the Editor-in-Chief of a leading faith-based publication. She holds a BA in Art History and Visual Anthropology from Western Washington University and brings extensive experience from her previous role as Editor of a prominent faith-based magazine. With a rich background in graphic design, media, ghost writing and promotions, Stephanie has successfully managed and directed various media campaigns for non-profits and political organizations. Additionally, she has served on several boards, contributing her expertise in strategic planning and community outreach. A dedicated mother and homeschool educator, Stephanie is also a committed youth mentor, passionate about using her skills to inspire and empower others through her work in publishing.

Ways to Help Anxiety When You Can’t Sleep

Ways to Help Anxiety When You Can’t Sleep

Stephanie Kramer2026-01-21T11:27:56+00:00January 20th, 2026|Anxiety, Featured, Individual Counseling|

Sleeping is supposed to be one of the natural occurrences in your life, like breathing. Your body is supposed to know how to do it instinctively. Lie down, close your eyes, and drift to sleep. Right? But in the real world of frantic schedules, noisy neighbors, and a mountain of bills, sleep doesn’t always come naturally; sometimes anxiety gets in the way. Add anxiety, and you’re in for a night of turmoil. Anxiety is the enemy of a good night’s sleep. Your mind races along with your heart. And no amount of warm milk or counting sheep seems to compensate for the constant movie reel playing in your head. The one showing you what your worst fear may look like if it were really to happen (which you’ve convinced yourself will happen). Or replaying that awkward encounter you had last week. Trying to immediately overcome your battle with anxiety, a battle you’ve likely fought for a long time, isn’t practical. Not at two in the morning. Not when you have an important meeting the next day. But existing, productively, and healthily with your anxiety? Now that’s the way to a better night’s rest. What can I do about anxiety when I can't sleep? So, what can you actually do when it’s the middle of the night and your thoughts just won’t shut up and sleep is playing hard to get? Start small Start simple. Breathe like you mean it. Not deep, dramatic breaths, just steady ones. In through your nose and out through your mouth. Count them if it helps. Or whisper something calming to yourself like “This will pass,” or lean on your faith with a quick reminder that “God is in control.” Because it will pass and God is in control. Get out of bed if you [...]

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How to Communicate Better with Your Grandchildren from Afar

How to Communicate Better with Your Grandchildren from Afar

Stephanie Kramer2025-10-30T06:01:14+00:00October 30th, 2025|Family Counseling, Featured, Individual Counseling|

Who wouldn’t want to be there to see their grandchild take their first step or be on stage for their first solo? But life is complicated, and geographical distance often prevents grandparents from being as involved in their grandchildren’s lives as they would like. And while it might feel like a good idea to move closer to the grandkids, that is sometimes not an option for many practical reasons.So how do you compensate for the miles-wide chasm between you? Here are some ideas to help you stay invested and relevant in your grandchildren’s lives, even though miles may separate you.Speak Their LanguageThe generational gap is never more obvious than when an older adult tries to have a conversation with a teen. If your grandchildren are in their pre-teen or teen years, you may have noticed a few “sigmas” and “skibidis” thrown into their conversation. As confusing as these slang terms are to you, they are part of your grandchild’s generational culture. It’s important to try to understand their language, not just the slang words that come out of their mouth, but the deeper meaning behind their words.Don’t assume you know what your grandchild thinks or feels; ask them. Don’t assume their political leanings are the same as yours or even their parents. Don’t assume that they enjoy the activities they did five years ago. Learn about your grandchildren by being open-minded and humble and asking questions.While you need to set a good example for your grandchildren, you need to have an understanding of their beliefs and their respect before your opinion will impact them.Remember the Special OccasionsOf course, you don’t want to be in their life just on special occasions, but birthdays and Christmas are great times to make a connection with the grandchildren. These holidays allow you to give [...]

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The Power of the Tongue: A Weapon or a Witness?

The Power of the Tongue: A Weapon or a Witness?

Stephanie Kramer2025-09-27T08:38:14+00:00September 27th, 2025|Featured, Individual Counseling, Personal Development|

Words are powerful. They can build people up, teach them about the Lord, and communicate love. But there is a dark side to the small but mighty tongue. Sometimes it can tear people down, separate them from the love of the Lord, and communicate hate and gossip. Most of us learn pretty early on about the power of words. Maybe you learned it through a cruel nickname that stuck longer than the memory of its origin or maybe it was a simple, but well-placed “I believe in you” that changed the direction of your whole life. The Bible doesn’t tiptoe around the truth about the words we speak. Proverbs 18:21 (NIV) says it loud and clear: “The tongue has the power of life and death and those who love it will eat its fruits.” Life or death? That’s serious business. It means every time we open our mouths (an argument could be made that our texting fingers are likewise accountable), we’re making a choice. Do we want to give someone life, or do we want to crush them? That sounds pretty dramatic, but it’s true. Remember that one time when someone said something encouraging to you when you were drowning in self-doubt? Their words were like a warm light cutting through the fog and leading you to a better place. Or maybe you still hear the voice of a critic echoing something hurtful that is hard to shake, even years later. That’s the power of the tongue. Words as Weapons Sometimes we weaponize our words without meaning to. You might be stressed, tired, or in pain and you snap. Sarcasm, criticism, gossip, blame – all of it can be deadly at the wrong moment. James 3:6 (NIV) puts it like this: “The tongue also is a fire, a world of [...]

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The First Year of Marriage: Creating a Shared Home Office Space for Harmony and Productivity

The First Year of Marriage: Creating a Shared Home Office Space for Harmony and Productivity

Stephanie Kramer2025-06-27T06:35:42+00:00June 27th, 2025|Couples Counseling, Featured, Marriage Counseling, Professional Development, Relationship Issues|

When you first get married, you don’t always think about all the small details and adjustments that must be made in the first year of marriage. As your and your spouse’s lives intertwine, one challenge you might face is setting up a shared home office space. Whether you’re both working remotely, studying, or pursuing personal projects, creating a functional and harmonious work environment can set the tone for productivity and harmony in your marriage. Establishing your needs in the first year of marriage Before diving into decorating, organizing, and all the “fun” elements of setting up a home office space, sit down with your spouse and discuss your individual needs and preferences for the shared office space. Consider the following: Work Requirements What work equipment and materials do each of you need? Will you require desks, filing cabinets, or special lighting? Space Allocation How much space does each person need? Will you be sharing a desk or having two separate workstations? Privacy Levels Do you need complete privacy, or can you work near each other? Having a clear understanding of these essential factors will help you design a space that meets both of your needs. You may discover that you need to make concessions from your original plan. That’s okay, because these concessions are moments when you can show your partner love and compassion. Remember, the Bible teaches us to “do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3), which is a vital principle when sharing spaces with your spouse. Choose the right location The location of your home office can significantly impact on your productivity and comfort. Consider these tips: Quiet Area Choose a part of the home that’s away from high-traffic areas to minimize distractions and noise. No [...]

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How God Can Use Your ADHD for His Glory

How God Can Use Your ADHD for His Glory

Stephanie Kramer2025-04-11T04:48:25+00:00April 11th, 2025|ADHD/ADD, Featured, Individual Counseling|

Your mind is racing faster than your body can keep up, with ideas, overflowing with vision and yet, you often feel tangled and frustrated. You’ve probably had people tell you to focus, that you should concentrate on one task at a time, or that you might have ADHD. Maybe you’ve told yourself these things too. If you have ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and you view your high energy, impulsive drive, and out-of-the-box thinking as a flaw, let me assure you that it’s not. God can use this for His glory and to benefit you and those around you. Let’s take a moment to look at some people in the Bible who exhibit some of the same traits as you do. Though the term “ADHD” didn’t exist then, certain biblical figures exhibited traits we’d recognize today as hallmarks of this condition. And guess what? God used them powerfully and to His glory. Their unique wiring wasn’t a mistake, but a part of His Master plan. Peter: Passion and Impulse Peter, one of Jesus’ closest disciples, could easily be the poster child for impulse. He’s the one who jumped out of the boat to walk on water (Matthew 14:28-29), the one who spoke up without any hesitation during the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:4), and the one who swung his sword in the Garden of Gethsemane without fully understanding the situation (John 18:10). As you can see from these examples, Peter often acted and reacted first and thought later; a classic ADHD trait. Do you think that Peter impulsively signed up for a fishing trip he was ill-prepared to take? Maybe. But Peter’s tendency to impulse was also his strength. When Jesus asked, “Who do you say I am?” it was Peter who boldly declared, “You are the Messiah, the Son of [...]

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Biblical Ways to Help Anxiety

Biblical Ways to Help Anxiety

Stephanie Kramer2025-04-08T16:06:03+00:00March 6th, 2025|Anxiety, Featured, Individual Counseling|

Anxiety is like a storm that brews quietly. You may feel the clouds rolling in or a drizzle of rain, but you feel as helpless in controlling it as you would if it were the weather. Anxiety can steal your peace and cloud your mind. In this article, we'll look at some ways to help anxiety that align with God's Word. The Bible on Anxiety In moments of worry, we often seek refuge in fleeting things, but the Bible reminds us that true peace comes from the Lord. As Christ-followers, we are blessed with a roadmap that leads us through the valley of anxiety and into the arms of a loving Father who cares for us deeply. At Rowlett Christian Counseling, we walk alongside you on this journey, helping you rediscover that peace and guiding you back to the One who holds your heart. Cast your cares on Him Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. – 1 Peter 5:7, NIV One of the most powerful acts of faith is surrender. The weight of anxiety can be overwhelming, but we are not meant to carry it alone. Like a child placing their worries in the hands of a parent, we can offer up our fears to God, knowing that He cares for us. In moments of doubt, find a quiet place and pray; give your concerns to the Lord and trust that He hears every cry. Seek refuge in God’s promises The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God Is my rock, in whom I take refuge. – Psalm 18:2, NIV Anxiety often stirs when we feel vulnerable or out of control. But the Bible reminds us that God is our refuge, a strong tower in times of trouble. He is [...]

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Gift-Giving within a Blended Family

Gift-Giving within a Blended Family

Stephanie Kramer2025-04-08T17:02:12+00:00October 14th, 2024|Family Counseling, Featured, Individual Counseling, Relationship Issues|

Gift-giving during the holidays can be particularly challenging in a blended family. With varying established traditions and expectations from different households, children can become confused and receive mixed signals. Assumptions regarding established family customs may lead to potential misunderstandings. Here are some ways to help you keep your holiday season merry, bright, and drama-free. Communication is key in gift giving To avoid potential conflicts and ensure that everyone feels appreciated, establish clear communication with your partner and the exes involved regarding gift-giving budgets and expectations. Agree upon a reasonable spending limit for each child and discuss appropriate gifts, ensuring that no one feels overlooked. Start the conversation early so you have time to decide on the proper gifts well in advance to avoid any last-minute scramble. Coordinate with your ex to prevent duplicate gifts. Many families choose to give joint gifts to children from both parents and stepparents, with separate gifts given by the other parent and their partner. If there is a particular gift that you both want to give to your child, consider giving it jointly and sharing the expense. At Rowlett Christian Counseling, we help blended families navigate these kinds of conversations with grace, clarity, and mutual respect. Some families cap the number of gifts each person receives or a budget they must stay within when purchasing gifts. Be mindful that your traditions and expectations might vary from that of your new family members. It’s best to have open communication about these expectations and decide early on how to approach gift-giving in the structure of your new family dynamics. Involve the children in gift giving Involve the children in the gift-giving process by encouraging them to create their gifts or choose gifts for each other. This will develop a sense of unity and allow them to [...]

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Stephanie Kramer

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