bradlombardicounseling.com

Once upon a time there was courtship, a process of mating with a high level of parental involvement that was usually a precursor to marriage. This gave way to dating, where couples escaped the watchful eyes of parents and enjoyed exploring potential relationships in a variety of social and solitary environments with marriage being only one of many possible future options. Dating has since given way to “hooking up” - an intentionally vague term used to describe a semi-random, undefined sexual/physical encounter with no emotional ties. This encounter could range from kissing and “making out” to sexual intercourse. The term could be used to infer more went on than actually did (or less). The key aspect of “hooking up” is the ability to unhook, to separate the physical and sexual encounter from any emotional ties. The hook-up is meant to be very existential in nature – enjoy the moment and move on.          (continued below) 

Hi. My name is Brad Lombardi and I am a licensed professional counselor with offices in Branson MO. I am also an ordained minister with 23 years of pastoral experience. I counsel from a Christian viewpoint, attempting to integrate Biblical principles with sound psychology. I provide counseling services for:

• Families
• Couples
• Individuals

looking for hope, healing, and growth.

My primary specialties are:

• Marriage counseling
• Pre-marital counseling
• Anger Management
• Pornography Addiction
• Adolescent Male Issues
• Adult Male Issues
• Unwanted Homosexual Feelings

I am available to speak in Churches and civic organizations, and for seminars and retreats. (See Topics)

My office in Branson is at 1790 Bee Creek Road  (map)
At this time, I do not accept insurance. I will gladly give you a receipt to submit to your insurance company for a refund. I do accept Medicaid for qualified children and adolescents.

To make an appointment, or for further information:

(continued… )          As someone who deals with people and relationships, I can’t help but wonder what the impact of this new social paradigm will be.  The sciences of psychology, psychiatry, and neurology have taught us there are links between mind and body, between actions and emotions. Several powerful and influential chemicals are simultaneously released during sexual stimulation. One chemical released, phenylethylamine, causes sweaty palms, shaky knees, rapid pulse, heavy breathing, and confused emotions – in other words, the common symptoms of we identify as “love”.  Its release to the bloodstream by the brain may be induced by a simple touching of hands or a meeting of the eyes. Is it a coincidence that chocolate has a high level of this chemical?  Another chemical, oxytocin, is known as the “cuddling” chemical, encourages trust and a feeling of safety and satisfaction – ingredients important to bonding and forming relationships. Another brain chemical, vasopressin, has a suppressing effect on the fight or flight impulse triggered by the adrenaline rush of sexual stimulation – especially in men – and instead is believed to encourage emotional interaction.    From a social perspective we can divide our “love” relationships into three separate, neat categories – lust (the craving for sex), romance (the euphoria of attraction), and long-term commitment (mating). It seems obvious, though, that the brain links them all together.  Experience would also seem to show the lines are blurred – hence the awkwardness after the hook-up, the likelihood that one of the partners may be more affected than the other (often the female), and the low percentage of hook-ups turning into long-term relationships.  

People are sexual creatures, but are social creatures as well.  I believe we are created by God with a desire to mate for life in marriage and equipped by Him to be able to do so well. Attempting to have sexual encounters without emotional ties is counter to our design and purpose and is thereby causing inner confusion (dissonance) to many. Un-hooking may be harder than we admit and it may cost us our inner peace and our ability to form long-term relationships. 

This entry was posted on Friday, February 20th, 2009 at 8:50 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.