Therapy For Anxiety
“In any given moment, we have two options: to step forward into growth or to step back into safety.” ~ Abraham Maslow
“Everything you’ve ever wanted is sitting on the other side of fear.”
~ George Addair
Anxiety is by far the most prevalent mental illness globally in our modern world, but often goes unrecognized and untreated. In the U.S. alone, more than 40 million American adults struggle with anxiety of some sort, and it’s one of the main reasons people seek out therapy.
You may believe that anxiety is the enemy that needs complete elimination in order to live a happy life.
Anxiety is part of human nature but if you find that you’re struggling with anxiety most of the time, or suspect you may have a panic disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), psychotherapy can help.
You are not your anxious thoughts.
You’ve been living with anxiety.
You live with the constant self-doubt, making it difficult to see situations clearly.
You feel a sense of guilt, shame and judge yourself harshly for worrying constantly and “not being able to overcome” your fears.
You’ve tried to suppress it — avoid it, pretend it’s not there, and you try really hard to push and rally through it . . .
But eventually . . . it builds up and feels like too much to handle on your own.
Anxiety shows up differently for each of us. However, it is often a messenger if we have the right tools to listen.
As you focus on the worry or the pain you’re experiencing, the feelings can become so overwhelming that they hijack your thoughts and senses, preventing you from enjoying the present moment.
Behind your anxiety are underlying beliefs such as: “I’m not going to be ok, and I’m not feeling safe. The future is something to worry about.”
Do You Find Yourself:
- Constantly worrying, feeling fearful of the future? Or regretful of the past?
- Dwelling over details that you know are ultimately irrational or inconsequential?
- Wishing your cyclical thoughts didn’t keep you up at night?
- Noticing that excessive fear is interfering with your daily life? Terrified of having a panic attack?
- Struggling when trying to relax or feel “present?”
- Frustrated that stress has taken over your life, leaving you feeling overwhelmed and utterly exhausted?
- Feeling anxious before attending a social gathering?
- Having symptoms of panic or a heightened stress response due to chronic anxiety?
You are not Alone!
Everyone feels anxious from time to time. You may have experienced anxiety in relation to your social life, relationships, parenting, demands of school or work, staying on top of finances, etc.
Experiencing some mild anxiety can actually help you become more alert and focused on facing challenging or stressful circumstances.
But if you’re experiencing ongoing, or extreme, fear and worry that doesn’t go away, you may be suffering from an anxiety disorder.
The frequency and intensity of anxiety has become overwhelming and is interfering with basic daily functioning. You find yourself dedicating so much time and energy into your worries, leaving you feeling constantly overwhelmed and depleted. Anxiety is making normal stressors like paying the bills, or managing health concerns, feel life-threatening.
Fortunately, the majority of people with an anxiety disorder improve considerably.
What Does Anxiety Feel Like?
When you’re constantly in fight-or-flight mode you:
- Experience persistent and excessive fears and worry
- Feel irritable, restless and on edge
- Have an upset stomach
- Have ongoing headaches
- Have racing thoughts
- Get panic attacks
- Have muscle tension
- Are unable to focus or concentrate
- Have trouble sleeping
- Are unable to enjoy day-to-day life
What Does Anxiety Feel Like?
When you’re constantly in fight-or-flight mode you:
- Experience persistent and excessive fears and worry
- Feel irritable, restless and on edge
- Have an upset stomach
- Have ongoing headaches
- Have racing thoughts
- Get panic attacks
- Have muscle tension
- Are unable to focus or concentrate
- Have trouble sleeping
- Are unable to enjoy day-to-day life
Cognitive Symptoms:
Disproportionate worry, fear, panic, sense of doom, disorganized thoughts, racing thoughts that feel abnormal to your typical thoughts, ruminating obsessive thoughts, persistent or excessive worry, difficulty focusing, paying attention and concentration issues.
Physical Symptoms:
Increased heart rate, heart palpitations, sweating, fatigue, feeling on edge, chest pain/panic/anxiety attack, substance abuse, changes in eating or sleeping habits, difficulty swallowing, muscle pain or stiffness, stomach/digestive issues.
Behavioral Symptoms:
Disorganization, negative behavioral changes (irritability, aggression), difficulty feeling settled or relaxed.
How an Anxiety Therapist Can Help:
Anxiety can get in the way of what’s truly important to you. I want to help you overcome the challenges your anxiety brings by helping you discover the root of the problem and gaining a sense of safety.
We’ll begin by collaborating to identify and manage the factors that contribute to your anxiety. We’ll focus on your thoughts (beliefs) and behaviors, to help you understand what may be contributing factors, provide context for your struggles, and help reduce your anxiety over the long term. You’ll learn new ways of relating to your triggers, symptoms, and to your own body and nervous system.
You’ll start feeling a sense of safety and peacefulness.
Therapy will help you develop techniques and skills that allow you not to judge the anxious thoughts but instead work with them. We’ll explore the uncertainty underlying your anxiety.
I utilize an eclectic and holistic approach drawing from various techniques and skill-building tools tailored specifically to each client and situation. We may utilize principles and techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure with Response Prevention (ERP), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness, etc.
You do not have to stay stuck on the anxiety hamster wheel of constant worry or avoidance. Together, we will figure out where your anxiety is coming from and what it is trying to tell you.
Anxiety therapy will teach you how to use the difficult and uncomfortable things you’re feeling to become a more confident, fulfilled, authentic version of yourself – regardless of what life throws at you.
You will learn to:
- Understand your story
- Think mindfully and introspectively
- Regulate your emotions
- Identify patterns of relationships and behavior
- Discover hidden strengths
- Recognize and address your fears created by anxiety
- Organize and prioritize your needs