NorthPoint Counseling Perspective

Send us Fan Mail Understanding Narcissism: Recognizing the Traits, Behaviors, and Impact on Relationships Is someone in your life a narcissist, or are they simply displaying selfish behaviors? How can you tell the difference? The term narcissism is used frequently today, but what does it really mean? And how do narcissistic traits affect the people closest to us? In this episode of NorthPoint Coun...

Send us Fan Mail Empathy is more than simply understanding what your spouse is feeling in a particular moment. Over time, empathy becomes a way of relating—a foundation that can transform how couples communicate, navigate conflict, respond to pain, and experience emotional connection. In this episode, we discuss how developing empathy can help couples build greater emotional safety, deepen trust,...

Send us Fan Mail Empathy: The Gateway to Marital Intimacy – Part 5: Breaking Through the Barriers to Empathetic Communication In Part 5 of Empathy: The Gateway to Marital Intimacy , we explore the common barriers that can prevent couples from truly hearing, understanding, and connecting with one another. Empathy is more than listening to words. It requires us to set aside our own internal argument...

Send us Fan Mail Before we continue our journey in Empathy: The Gateway to Marital Intimacy , I want to thank you for joining me for this series.  In Part 1, we explored the four different types of empathy. In Part 2, we took a deeper look at emotional empathy and why it is so essential to building emotional connection. In Part 3, we examined how empathy is expressed through our words, our actions...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Part 3 of our series, Empathy: The Gateway to Marital Intimacy . In Part 1 , we explored the four different types of empathy and discovered that empathy is far more than simply understanding another person's emotions—it is a skill that can transform the health of a relationship. In Part 2 , we took a deeper dive into emotional empathy , examining how learning to em...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to Empathy: The Gateway to Marital Intimacy, Part 2 . I'm so glad you've joined me as we continue this important conversation. If you listened to Part 1, you know we began by exploring the four different types of empathy . We discussed how empathy isn't just one skill—it's actually a collection of ways we connect with another person's thoughts...

Send us Fan Mail Empathy: The Gateway to Marital Intimacy - Part 1 Understanding the Four Types of Empathy Welcome to the Podcast on Empathy: The Gateway to Marital Intimacy , a series dedicated to helping couples build deeper connection, stronger trust, and lasting love through one of the most powerful relationship skills ever given to us—empathy. Most couples believe their greatest challenge is...

Send us Fan Mail In this powerful episode, host John Sternfels , LPC, a national board-certified counselor and founder of NorthPoint Professional Counseling, sheds light on the destructive psychological tactic known as gaslighting . This subtle form of emotional abuse distorts a person’s reality, often leaving them feeling confused, powerless, and emotionally isolated. John breaks down the core dy...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of NorthPoint Counseling Perspective , host John Sternfels —a National Board-Certified Counselor, marriage therapist, and author—explores the power and purpose of a Couples' Weekly Check-In . This intentional practice can be a game-changer for couples looking to deepen connection, rebuild trust, and strengthen emotional intimacy. John walks listeners through a...

Send us Fan Mail Hosted by John Sternfels , National Board-certified counselor, author, and clinical director of NorthPoint Professional Counseling, this episode dives deep into one of the most essential—and often misunderstood—tools in healing from betrayal: Why a Therapeutic Disclosure. John brings nearly two decades of experience helping individuals and couples navigate the pain of sexual addic...

Send us Fan Mail Are you seeking a structured approach to restore healing, truth, and unity within your home? Then don’t miss this episode of NorthPoint Counseling Perspective , where we dive into the Family Impact Meeting — a powerful, guided therapeutic approach to help families begin conversations around broken trust, addiction recovery, or betrayal trauma. Hosted by John Sternfels, National Bo...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of NorthPoint Counseling Perspective , John Sternfels explores the foundational topic of attachment styles —how our early childhood experiences with parents /caregivers shape the way we connect, trust, and navigate intimacy in adulthood. John unpacks the four main attachment styles —Secure, Anxious (Preoccupied), Avoidant (Dismissive), and Fearful-Avoidant (Disorga...

Send us Fan Mail What does it take to raise strong, grounded, and emotionally healthy kids in today’s fast-paced, ever-changing world? In this powerful episode, John Sternfels gives us a sneak peek into his highly anticipated new book, Healthy Parenting: Preparing the Next Generation . With warmth, wisdom, and clinical insight, John unpacks what every parent needs to know to build a solid foundati...

Send us Fan Mail In this compelling episode, counselor and author John Sternfels explores the Therapeutic Marital Healing Separation Agreement —a structured, intentional approach to marital separation that prioritizes healing, emotional safety, and personal responsibility. Designed specifically for couples in crisis who desire clarity, growth, and the possibility of reconciliation, this agreement...

Send us Fan Mail Hosted by John Sternfels , The Therapeutic Disclosure Process: A Path to Healing and Trust is a podcast dedicated to guiding individuals and couples through the complexities of therapeutic disclosure after relational betrayal. As a National Board-Certified Counselor (NCC) and the owner of NorthPoint Professional Counseling Inc. , John brings his expertise in marriage restoration,...

Send us Fan Mail Sex. It’s everywhere—on our screens, in our culture, and shaping how we think about relationships, identity, and intimacy. But with so many competing voices—secular ideologies, cultural relativism, and biblical truth—how do we separate fact from fiction? In this eye-opening episode, counselor and author John Sternfels explores his upcoming book, SEX: Secular, Relativistic-Cultural...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, counselor and author, John Sternfels will dive into the complex and often misunderstood topic of codependency in marriage . Many couples struggle with unhealthy relational patterns where one partner becomes overly reliant on the other for emotional validation, self-worth, or decision-making. This imbalance can lead to resentment, anxiety, and a loss of individual...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, counselor and author, John Sternfels introduces his new book, " DOWNLOAD For Parents. " DOWNLOAD is a crucial guide for today’s parents navigating the digital world with their children. Technology has transformed how our kids interact, learn, and socialize. Still, it has also introduced new challenges—exposure to harmful content, screen addiction, and on...

Send us Fan Mail Behind The Smile by John Sternfels and Melissa Roberts is a real-life story of how one of John's clients, Melissa Roberts, overcame the horrors of being abused, traumatized, and sexually betrayed. As a result, Melissa experienced many psychological complexities, often behind a facade of happiness. The book is designed to offer readers a deeper understanding of the disconnect...

Send us Fan Mail In this podcast, counselor and author, John Sternfels examines the complexities of gender identity and gender dysphoria in children and adolescents. John discusses from a Christian perspective, how to discuss this complex topic with children in a sensitive and informed manner. Talking to children who struggle with gender identity and gender dysphoria challenges requires sensitivit...

Send us Fan Mail A Comprehensive Examination of Mental Health Introduction Counselor and author, John Sternfels, discusses the importance of mental health.  Mental health encompasses emotional, psychological, and social well-being, influencing how individuals think, feel, and act. It affects daily functioning, relationships, and physical health. Mental health is not merely the absence of mental il...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, counselor and author John Sternfels will dive into the core of human connection, exploring the transformative power of understanding, compassion, and shared emotions through empathy. Empathy, often hailed as the glue that binds us together, is more than just a buzzword. It's the force that bridges gaps, dismantles barriers, and fosters a sense of unity in an...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, counselor and author John Sternfels discusses the topic of fear. Fear, an emotion deeply embedded in the human experience, has been a subject of fascination, analysis, and debate throughout history. As a multifaceted phenomenon, fear touches upon various aspects of our lives, influencing our decisions, shaping our perceptions, and even steering the course of socie...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, counselor and author John Sternfels discusses Toxic shame. Toxic shame is a pervasive and enduring form of shame that can significantly impact one's quality of life. It is consciously transferred by means of shaming rules and can be deeply ingrained in one's sense of self, leading to constant exposure of the failure of the self to the self.  Toxic shame...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, counselor and author John Sternfels discusses Marriage, Now What? Marriage, Now What?   encapsulates the sentiment many couples experience after the initial excitement of marriage settles. It's a reflective phase where partners may ponder the direction of their relationship. This question invites couples to embrace the evolving nature of their union and activ...