Anxiety Therapy
Does Anxiety Make It Difficult For You To Live In The Moment?
Do you fixate on negative thoughts and obsess over situations that are outside of your control?
Are you constantly worried about the worst-case scenario, no matter the situation?
Does your mind often wander, making it difficult to concentrate on the present task?
You might try to live in the here and now but you can’t stop thinking about the future. And when your thoughts begin to overwhelm you, certain symptoms of anxiety—shortness of breath, panic attacks, muscle tension, chest pain, and tunnel vision, to name a few—can also take a toll on your physical well-being.
Anxiety May Be Holding You Back From Socializing And Doing What You Love
Maybe you worry so much that you find yourself avoiding social situations, limiting how much time you spend interacting with your friends and family. Afraid that you’ll make a fool of yourself or that others will judge you, you’d rather keep to yourself to avoid the potential embarrassment.
This isolation can lead you to believe that you will always be alone. Social anxiety could even prevent you from doing the things you love and finding joy and fulfillment in life.
You might wonder if there’s anything out there that can help you get to a place where you can lessen your worry, enhance your joy, and experience all that life has to offer. If the weight of anxiety has become too heavy for you to hold on your own, therapy can provide you with the safe haven you need to express your feelings in an environment that is free from judgment.
There Are Many Reasons Why You May Be Feeling Anxious
While anxiety disorders can occur at any age, they generally begin in childhood and—without the help of a specialist—can persist into adulthood. When left untreated, the symptoms can linger for days, months, or even years, taking a toll on your overall mindset and outlook on life.
The origins of anxiety vary depending on the person and often involve a wide range of factors—including environment, career, cultural guidelines, as well as familial and community expectations. Unexpected changes in your life or past trauma can also play a major role in excessive, intrusive thoughts.
It’s easy for those who experience anxiety to feel alone in their struggles. But if you feel this way, I’m here to say that you are not alone. And with the proper treatment from a licensed therapist, you can gain the tools and strategies that you need to overcome your anxiety.
We Know More About Anxiety Than Any Other Mental Health Disorder
Over 40 million adults in the United States have been diagnosed with some sort of anxiety, making it the most common of all mental health disorders. ¹ And while that number seems high, the actual number of individuals who experience symptoms—including the cases that go undiagnosed—far exceeds that figure.
As your counselor, I will provide you with the skills you need to anchor yourself in the here and now, identify your negative thoughts whenever they occur, and gain control over the ruminations that cause your anxiety. We will work together to establish long-term goals so that you can experience the change and growth that you desire and deserve.
Counseling Can Put You On The Right Path Towards Healing From Your Anxiety
Nobody knows you better than you know yourself. You are the expert on the life you’ve lived and the experiences you’ve been through. My goal as your therapist is to work with you to develop the best treatment options so that you can gain control over your anxiety and feel empowered to pursue your hopes and dreams.
I aim to be as warm and compassionate as possible, while giving you clear-cut goals to hold you accountable. My approach to therapy uses psychoeducation to help you learn short-term skills like mindfulness techniques and give you long-term goals designed to help you live free from the grips of anxiety.
What To Expect In Anxiety Therapy Sessions
Typically, we begin with an initial session where we get to know each other. I will ask you a series of questions about the problems that you’ve been experiencing and evaluate how you answer them.
More importantly, I strive to hold a genuine conversation with you in each interaction. Getting to know you on a personal level is a top priority of mine. It allows us to get an idea of which treatment options would work best for the anxiety that you’re facing. Since everyone is different, there are a few approaches that I tend to try.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) are empirically proven methods for addressing the automatic negative thoughts that spark your anxiety.
CBT focuses on and challenges the intrusive thoughts you face to help reframe your perspective. Meanwhile, DBT provides you with practical skills to regulate your emotions and accept all the different parts of yourself.
Whether you’re tasked to write about what you’re grateful for in a gratitude journal, or we spend our time questioning the ruminations that go against your core beliefs, therapy can give you a newfound perspective and help you overcome your anxiety symptoms.
My strongest passion is helping others work through their struggles and find sustained happiness. And for as long as I’ve been in practice, my clients have expressed how positive the change has been in their lives.
You May Want To Work With An Anxiety Counselor, But Have Some Concerns…
What if anxiety therapy is too expensive for me to afford?
As your counselor, I don’t ever want to add any more stress to your life. And while finances can become a concern, I understand that every individual’s situation is different. That’s why I use a sliding scale and accept coverage from various providers. I want to give you the financial flexibility you need to invest in your well-being.
What if my anxiety is too much for even a therapist to help me overcome?
While anxiety can be disabling, it isn’t something that you have to live with for the rest of your life. With proper treatment, it typically takes about 12 to 24 weeks for someone to overcome an anxiety disorder.
This may look promising, but everyone has different needs and desires, so the pace will differ depending upon the individual. But if you’re willing to commit to the work of finding healing from anxiety, then therapy can truly change your life.
I’m afraid of what others will think of me.
In anxiety treatment, confidentiality is one of my top priorities. I strive to provide a space where you can feel free from judgment. What you share with me doesn’t ever have to leave the safety of our sessions.
When you arrive at counseling, you will not be greeted by a large sign, and the house where my practice resides gives the impression that you are stopping by to visit a trustworthy friend. This way, the only people who know that you’re receiving counseling for your anxiety are those that you feel most comfortable sharing that information with.
Treatment Can Give You The Skills You Need To Move Past Your Anxiety
Change is possible, and if you’re ready, I can help provide you with the skills you need to anchor yourself in the here and now, identify negative thoughts whenever they occur, and gain control over your ruminations.
If you’re ready to move forward with scheduling an initial session, please visit my contact page or call (607) 287 – 0058. I look forward to hearing from you!