Jana Tatum, Author at Mansfield Christian Counseling

About Jana Tatum

With over 20 years of experience counseling teens, couples, and adult individuals, I will provide a calm and patient atmosphere for your healing. I have been married for 22 years and have two teenage daughters. In a world of stress and chaos, my desire is for you to get through the rougher parts of life with a strength, hope, and peace that only God can provide. Whether you’re looking for premarital counseling, marriage therapy, individual counseling for teens or adults related to depression, anxiety, or other concerns, I am here to help. According to Galatians 6:2, as believers, we are to “carry each other’s burdens and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” I would be honored to help relieve your burdens through proven therapeutic techniques that respect your faith and values.

Signs and Symptoms of Perimenopause and How Your Husband Can Provide Support

Signs and Symptoms of Perimenopause and How Your Husband Can Provide Support

Jana Tatum, Kate Motaung2026-11-04T05:51:43+00:00November 4th, 2026|Featured, Individual Counseling, Marriage Counseling, Relationship Issues, Women’s Issues|

When we make a marriage covenant, we vow “in sickness and in health.” We are committed to being by each other’s side through the highs and lows of life. Perimenopause can be a difficult time in a woman’s life, and it can unexpectedly cause tension and stress in the relationship. Perimenopause is the “multi-year phase before menopause.” Signs and symptoms of perimenopause usually begin from ages forty to forty-seven and can last from four to ten years. There are drastic changes that occur in a woman’s body and brain. This is not an exhaustive list of signs and symptoms of perimenopause, but here are some of the changes that a woman can experience to varying degrees of intensity. Hot flashes – a rush of heat from the inside Mood swings – fluctuations in mood Irritability, anxiety, and depression Night sweats – excessive sweating during sleep, causing clothing and bedding to be wet, and not caused by a hot room Insomnia – trouble falling and/or staying asleep Brain fog – change in ability to think, focus, concentrate, and remember Changes in libido – changes in desire to be intimate and feeling attractive and wanted Weight gain – due to hormone changes, a woman burns 200-250 fewer calories per day, making it harder to maintain and lose weight. Increased UTIs and other bladder problems Fatigue – deep exhaustion beyond just feeling tired Joint pain – body aches and other pains Changes in skin – acne, dry skin, increased sensitivity and changes in pigmentation The age range when signs and symptoms of perimenopause typically occur often happens at the same time in life as other major life changes in a woman’s life. These can include an empty nest, caring for aging parents, losing parents, job changes, and/or starting to have grandchildren. These [...]

12 Ways to Make Your Marriage Christ-centered

12 Ways to Make Your Marriage Christ-centered

Jana Tatum, Kate Motaung2026-08-14T06:11:48+00:00August 14th, 2026|Couples Counseling, Featured, Marriage Counseling, Premarital Counseling, Relationship Issues, Spiritual Development|

Whether you and your spouse are new Christians or have followed Christ for many years, it can still be unclear what a Christ-centered marriage looks like. Having a Christ-centered marriage goes deeper than believing in God. It requires more than simply believing and showing up. To make your relationship Christ-centered, follow these steps. Commit today to place Christ first in your relationship Regardless of how you have centered your relationship in the past, begin today by focusing on Christ. This commitment is for both of you individually and together as a couple. In every decision, obstacle, joy, and struggle, look to Christ for direction. Then remember the line from the movie “Facing the Giants”: If we win, we praise Him. And if we lose, we praise Him. Either way, we honor Him with our actions and our attitudes.” I have always said, “It is easier to praise Him in the good times,” but the more I have thought about it, the more I realize it is just as difficult, because when things are going well, we tend to take the credit instead of giving it to God. It is important to focus on Christ in both the good and the difficult times. If we only seek Him in the difficult times, is He really the center of our lives? We don’t talk to our best friends only in difficult times, so why should our relationship with our Creator and Heavenly Father be any different? Be actively involved in a Christ-centered and biblically focused church body Scripture calls us to “not forgo coming together.” Being involved in a church body is what God calls us to, and it gives us other believers to walk beside us through all seasons of life. I am thankful for technology, which allows me to watch [...]

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Decluttering: A New Way of Living

Decluttering: A New Way of Living

Jana Tatum, Kate Motaung2026-06-11T07:03:26+00:00June 11th, 2026|Featured, Individual Counseling, Personal Development|

I think it is safe to say that most of us know we need to declutter in one way or another. But we are overwhelmed by it. The first question is “Where do I start?” Other questions we ask ourselves are: “How do I know what to get rid of?” “What if I get rid of the something and need it?” “Am I wasting money when I get rid of so much?” “How do I figure out who needs this item so I’m not just trashing it?” What needs decluttering? Immediately, we think of closets, boxes that haven’t been opened in months or years, clothes we don’t wear, and other items we no longer use. But we also need to declutter our non-material lives. What do I mean by this? Sometimes we do too much and can’t enjoy it to the fullest. Do you struggle to say “no” or “not now” when you are asked to do things? Sometimes our kids are involved in so many different activities that they become overwhelmed and afraid to stop something, for fear of being a quitter or letting us down. As parents, if we feel like a taxi and a manager more than a parent, we may need to evaluate what the family is involved in. It might be that they are doing too much. More often than not, we teach our kids through our actions rather than our words. Are we teaching them to do more for the wrong reasons? More is not always better in material things or in what we fill our lives with. Are we teaching them to prioritize things and activities over relationships? Are we teaching them that sports and working up the corporate ladder are more important than corporate worship and our relationship with our Heavenly [...]

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Are You a Perfectionist? Understanding the Effects of Perfectionism and How to Change It

Are You a Perfectionist? Understanding the Effects of Perfectionism and How to Change It

Jana Tatum, Kate Motaung2026-01-29T07:08:00+00:00January 29th, 2026|Coaching, Featured, Individual Counseling, Personal Development|

There is an age-old phrase that says, “Practice makes perfect.” This refers to the idea that the more you practice and work at something, the better you get at it. But will we ever be “perfect” at it? Even experts in any field are never perfect at something. They will never know all the answers or perform flawlessly, even when they excel and are at the top of the class. There is a more recent phrase that states, “Practice makes progress.” This implies that as we do something more frequently and work at it, we will get better, but it does not have an emphasis on perfection. Has anyone ever told you that you are a perfectionist? Or “Don’t be a perfectionist?” Maybe you don’t leave the office until the project or task is “perfect.” Perhaps you spend hours perfecting a presentation, only to feel it’s still not good enough. Maybe your son or daughter gets upset with anything lower than a 100 on a test or assignment. Perhaps you stay up late, not because you are a night owl, but because you want everything to be “just right” before you go to bed. Meriam-Webster defines “perfectionism” as “a disposition to regard anything short of perfection as unacceptable.” Wanting to do things well and being a perfectionist are two different things. The tricky thing about the term “perfect” is that people have different standards for what is “perfect.” I can look at a drawing and say, “Wow, that’s great!” While the artist might say, “Well, I need to work on it some more.” Someone may compliment your hair, but after spending an hour fighting with it this morning to get it “right,” you still don’t feel it’s as good as it could be. According to Verywell.com The three types of [...]

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Making and Keeping Adult Friendships

Making and Keeping Adult Friendships

Jana Tatum, Kate Motaung2026-01-17T06:36:06+00:00January 19th, 2026|Featured, Individual Counseling, Relationship Issues|

Life is full and chaotic, and often adult friendships seem to be what is left behind. Adult friendships are rewarding and beneficial for our mental, emotional, and spiritual health, but can be tricky to navigate. Adult friendships look and feel different than friendships when we were younger. We have separate responsibilities and don’t want to bother others with our “problems.” We can also struggle to connect and trust beyond the surface level of work, kids’ sports, and hobbies. According to a 2024 poll by the American Psychiatric Association, “one-third of adults feel lonely at least once a week.” Relationships are a crucial part of our lives. God made us for relationships and connections. The most important relationship is our relationship with Him. The Old and New Testaments are clear that God desires to “walk with us.” Leviticus 26:12 says, “I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people.” 2 Corinthians 6:16 says, “What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said, “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” How much closer can He be than in us? God is always with us and will “never leave us nor forsake us.” (Hebrews 13:5) When it comes to friendships, we put up walls to protect ourselves from hurt. Walls can help us “feel” more protected, but they can also keep us from having a genuine connection with people and God. Your circle doesn’t have to be large, but you need a circle of support and friendship. This is true not just for what others can do for you in support, but also for what you have [...]

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Making God-Honoring Decisions

Making God-Honoring Decisions

Jana Tatum, Kate Motaung2026-03-27T11:16:33+00:00October 24th, 2025|Featured, Individual Counseling, Personal Development, Spiritual Development|

We make decisions every day, even every minute, without realizing it. We make decisions about what to wear, what route to take to work, what to cook for supper, when to do household chores, and how to do them, to name a few. These types of decisions are viewed as trivial, and the fear of making the wrong one is typically low. These decisions can easily be changed, and there are several right ways to do them. Some decisions in life are more permanent and less likely to be easily or frequently changed. Fear and Anxiety and God-Honoring Decisions Fear and anxiety in decision-making can be debilitating. Some will date the same person for years for fear that if they get married, it will be to the wrong person, or for fear of it ending in divorce. Some will struggle in a job and not apply for a new job for fear of it being the wrong job, the wrong company, or not enough pay or stability. Anxiety is the fear of the unknown. We will continue in something that is not best for the sole reason of it being the known. Remind yourself that the unknown becomes the known relatively quickly. When you start a new job, it is the unknown, and after you have been there for a few days or months, it becomes more and more known. We want to make the right decision and want it to be so clear that we can’t make a mistake. A billboard or writing in the sky would be nice and clear, but where would our faith be if that were how God communicated to us about His will and direction in our lives? Decision-making takes multiple parts of the brain. The brain is a meticulously designed machine that [...]

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Understanding Dementia and How to Help

Understanding Dementia and How to Help

Jana Tatum, Kate Motaung2025-09-11T12:04:55+00:00September 11th, 2025|Aging and Geriatric Issues, Family Counseling, Featured, Individual Counseling, Relationship Issues|

What is dementia? Dementia is an umbrella term that encompasses other cognitive declining disorders. These include Alzheimer’s Disease, Vascular Dementia, Lewy Body Dementia, Frontotemporal dementia, and mixed dementia. These different cognitive declines exhibit multiple overlapping symptoms and progression, but there are some variations. According to Webster, dementia is “usually a progressive condition marked by the development of multiple cognitive deficits (as memory impairment, aphasia, and inability to plan and initiate complex behavior).” The Early Signs It is easy to dismiss it as stress or age-related. It is critical to begin addressing it when you see the signs. Your loved one may say things like “I think I am losing it.” Or “Why can’t I remember things like I used to?” You can start the conversation by discussing their concerns and what you’ve observed, and then get a professional evaluation. It could be stress, physiological causes, or purely age-related, but you won’t know until there is an official evaluation by a professional. Whether the person with signs realizes it consciously or not, a natural tendency to cover up occurs when others are around, so it can take some time for others to notice it. It requires spending more time with them and watching their behavior. Research shows that untreated hearing loss is connected to dementia and other cognitive decline. It includes cognitive overload, neural atrophy, and social isolation. As we age, hearing decreases, which in turn affects what our brain processes and how it is stimulated. When our brain is not being used in a certain way, it loses the capacity to function in that way. AARP lists fifteen warning signs of dementia. Short-term memory loss Word loss Difficulty multitasking Repetition Personality Changes New Sleep Behaviors Worsening Sense of Direction Depression Confusion about time and place Difficulty with visual perceptual tasks [...]

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Understanding Suicidal Ideation and Self-Harm and How Counseling Can Help

Understanding Suicidal Ideation and Self-Harm and How Counseling Can Help

Jana Tatum, Kate Motaung2025-08-28T08:50:49+00:00August 28th, 2025|Christian Counseling For Teens, Featured, Individual Counseling|

The topics in this article are sensitive in nature and are brought up in sessions quite often. Some clients are really hesitant to bring this up out of fear or embarrassment. This is true for Christians as well. In this article, I aim to provide you with some information so that you will better understand what you or someone you know is struggling with and will have a better understanding of how counseling can make a difference. These actions are an attempt to deal with something emotional. When we are in physical pain, we know what to do. If you have a headache, you take a pain medication, and if you have a cut, you put a Band-Aid on it. But with emotional pain, there is no Band-Aid or pain medication to fix, relieve, or cure it. We sometimes attempt to look for ways to escape. Someone begins to struggle with suicidal ideation or self-harm when that load becomes unbearable. What is suicidal ideation? According to Merriam-Webster, the definition of “suicidal ideation” is “the act of thinking about or a state of preoccupation with ending one’s own life, the act of considering or planning suicide.” What is self-harm? “The act of purposely hurting oneself as by cutting or burning the skin as an emotional coping mechanism.” I believe some ways are used for self-harm that may not initially feel like harm or be seen as a problem. How does counseling help? Counseling provides a safe place to talk about and work through personal thoughts that are difficult to share with friends or family. Increase your awareness of contributing factors Assist you in gaining healthy coping skills and stress management Support you through it. I have developed a number scale to assist me in determining where clients are in their [...]

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How to Improve Your Sleep and Why it Matters for Your Mental Health: A Look at the Effects of a Lack of Sleep

How to Improve Your Sleep and Why it Matters for Your Mental Health: A Look at the Effects of a Lack of Sleep

Jana Tatum, Kate Motaung2025-07-19T07:06:45+00:00July 15th, 2025|Featured, Individual Counseling, Men’s Issues, Women’s Issues|

We can often recognize when someone else has not slept well by observing their physical appearance, energy level, and mood. It is often evident to observe parents of newborns or toddlers who are sleep-deprived. A lack of sleep affects us more than just leaving us tired. When my kids were young, my husband would say, “Naps are wasted on children. They don’t want them but have to have them, and we want them and can’t have them.” Oh, how would we love to have a nap now and then. The National Institute of Health and the National Center on Sleep Disorders agree that we sleep or attempt to sleep for one-third of our lives. That is how crucial sleep is to our health, both physically and mentally. Understanding Sleep To better understand a lack of sleep, we need to understand the stages of sleep. Stage 1: Light sleep. This is a short stage, usually not more than 5% of your total sleep, which begins right after you fall asleep. Stage 2: Deeper sleep. This stage is deeper and makes up about 45% of all the time you spend sleeping (this number goes up as you get older). Research indicates this stage is key in memory storage and learning. Stage 3: Deepest sleep. This stage makes up about 25% of the time you spend sleeping (this number goes down with age). There’s evidence that this stage is the most important for how your body recovers and maintains itself because the brain prioritizes this stage in people with sleep deprivation. It’s quite hard to wake someone up from this stage, and they’ll usually feel foggy or confused for up to thirty minutes after waking up. REM sleep: REM stands for “rapid eye movement.” This stage is when you dream. When a [...]

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