Mari Tollefson-Boyd

Mari Boyd's picture

Marriage & Family Therapist, Author, Speaker

I have always been sort of a late bloomer! I went back to school at the age of 36 and completed my MA in Marriage & Family Therapy at the age of 43 from Bethel Seminary. I am now so blessed to work as at Marriage & Family Therapist at Bachmann & Associates - Christian Counseling Services. I am also on contract and work with various branches of the military where I lead workshops for both soldiers and their families in areas of anger management, family & marital issues, pre-deployment, during deployment, and reintegration after return from active duty. I have been married for over 30 years and have one adult son...and while I loved being a mom, I am really enjoying the empty nest stage of life! Life is constantly about transitions!

Favorite Resources

www.bachmanncounseling.com http://www.nmha.org/ www.amazon.com www.ebay.com (what can I say??) www.Facebook.com

Content Mari wrote

Article

Cutting - When the pain goes deep
08/2/12

Her name was Cassie and she was my next client that Friday afternoon...

Her name was Cassie and she was my next client that Friday afternoon.  As I brought them into my office, Cassie was dragging far behind making sure to avoid any eye contact.

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The Spiral of Fear
05/31/12

There are times when I have to admit, I sit and let fear overwhelm me...

There are times when I have to admit, I sit and let fear overwhelm me.  It seems that even if you begin to entertain a fearful idea, it can take on a life of its own!  I was lying in bed last night, unable to sleep and I began to think about the past year.  My thoughts actually started off very pure and righteous.  I was pondering on the faithfulness of God.  He brought

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Sometimes When I Wake Up I am Still Mad
05/3/12

I have never been one of those people who have been able to pull off that Biblical principal of “don’t let the sun go down on your wrath.” Sometimes I have trouble letting go of my anger.

I have never been one of those people who have been able to pull off that Biblical principal of “don’t let the sun go down on your wrath.”  Sometimes I have trouble letting go of my anger.  I admit to you today that at times I am severely lacking in this area and for some reason I think that is okay.  You see God is working on this area of my life, constantly.  He is teachin

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Wondering Who I Am?
06/2/11

Have you ever taken an objective look at yourself the way others see you? If you had the opportunity to meet yourself would you even like yourself?

Have you ever taken a look at yourself the way that other’s might look at you?  What I mean by this is…a good, objective, realistic look.  Ask yourself the question “if I met myself, woul

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When Your Warrior Comes Home Pt I
04/21/11

When our warrior finally comes home there is such a sense of anticipation and joy! Yet even with this joy, there can be a difficult journey of adjustment.

In the Army they are called “soldiers”; Air Force they are “airmen”; Marines they are “marines” and Navy they are “sailors.”  To us at home all of these loved ones are “warriors” …brothers, si

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When Your Warrior Comes Home Pt II
04/21/11

Valuable resources for helping your loved one readjust.

How can I make it easier for my loved one when they return?  Connect with all the resources that you can before, during and after deployment.

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The Power of Two Words: Malignant or Benign
03/24/11

I find it easy to trust God when the times are good, but my faith is stretched...almost to the breaking point, when I am in pain. Even worse when the pain is my son's pain.

What is the “value” of suffering?  I struggle with this concept.  I don’t like this lesson, the lesson of learning through suffering!  I see my clients come in suffering, struggling and just trying to find some meaning in their lives.  My heart weeps as they weep and we work on finding meaning, especially when the healing is allusive.  My respect grows as I see many of

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A Friend in Need is a Friend Indeed!
02/24/11

Friendships are so complicated at times! What does it take to make a "true" friend? First we need to learn to BECOME at "true" friend!

I have been doing a lot of thinking about friendship lately.  As a therapist, people come into my office with a variety of issues.  One of the questions that I ask at the very first meeting is about their “support system.”  It is important to find out who they have in their lives that they can rely on…not just family, but friends as well.  It always saddens me when people te

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A Bright Shiny Day
12/30/10

I am convinced that dogs are angels in disguise.

I have this incredible golden retriever named Bella.  She is probably the best dog in the whole wide world (now I will hear from everyone telling me their dog is the best)!   We bought Bella…or actually, put an order in for Bella…the day after she was born 5 years ago, the same day we had to put our other dear golden, Emma down.  I have always been a “dog person” and the tho

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Walking to the Beat of Another Drummer
11/10/10

I find myself edgy at times, struggling to fit into my “Christian” world. I have always been sort of rebellious and haven’t done the “good Christian woman” thing so great.

I find myself edgy at times, struggling to fit into my “Christian” world.  I have always been sort of rebellious and haven’t done the “good Christian woman” thing so great.  I often feel at odds with the culture of Christianity and it’s nobody’s fault.  Now don’t get me wrong, I LOVE the Lord and LOVE spending time with Him.  He is on my mind when I wake, live, breathe and w

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