Anxiety Therapy
Is Anxiety in your way of living your best life?
Do you constantly feel on edge?
Do you find yourself overthinking?
Do you avoid certain people or situations?
Anxiety can manifest as persistent thoughts, worries, or even panic in our lives. We may feel constantly on guard. We may not know what to do when anxiety occurs. Not knowing what to do or where to start is a common response many people have when feeling overwhelmed.
You might seek answers from family or friends, but they may not always understand or have the answers for you. You may also avoid going out to events or places. Avoiding can start small and can lead to larger issues where avoidance dominates your life. Seeking counseling is the first step to getting the help you need.
Everyone experiences some form of anxiety in their lifetime.
Many changes in life create anxiety. We all make decisions and sometimes decisions are made for us such as losing a job. Knowing how to adjust to the change is a challenge. We may try to think of reasons why something is occurring, what we did to contribute or not to an issue or change. It is an abundance of thinking to try to figure it out and feel ok.
Other events such as grief, loss, and traumatic events can feel overwhelming. Health issues are incredibly stressful and can consume us with worry. Feeling restless, difficulty concentrating, being irritable, and not being able to sleep are ways anxiety manifests within us.
Intrusive thoughts, obsessive behaviors, and occasional panic attacks can also be distressing. Burdensome symptoms of tension, fear, and doubt keep us on high alert. These are not easy to manage and can affect you daily or they may appear only at night or early morning when you least expect them. Anxiety has various levels of intensity in how it affects someone.
A state of constant stress can take a toll on your well-being. It is at this point; you know it’s time to try to manage it better by reaching out to a professional for help.
Have any questions? Send me a message!
Overthinking is mentally exhausting.
Overthinking is a part of anxiety that can be exhausting. It is hard on us because it leads to a cycle and sneak up on us. Then we must figure out how to get it to stop. We think less about what is working in our lives and more about what is not working very well. Overthinking is persistent thinking about past events, mistakes, or regrets. Overthinking creates an expectation for yourself that never ends. It creates a mindset of what we could have done, should have done or didn’t do with situations. Our self-talk can become self-critical, often leading to excessive worry, setting standards that are extremely high and unachievable.
Catastrophizing is another symptom of anxiety. It is believing the worst can happen. We can think about world events, the fear of losing a job, thinking the worst for our health – are all examples of catastrophic thinking. What we miss is if we did not think this way, something good might happen or whatever we worry about would work out for the best.
I can help you identify overthinking patterns that are keeping you from living your best life. We can develop coping skills for you to not let overthinking or catastrophizing take over your life.
Anxiety therapy is effective.
Anxiety therapy can be highly effective, with success rates as high as 75%.
In my practice, I collaborate with clients who have anxiety on a personalized plan that integrates therapy with anxiety-reducing techniques. Practicing being mindful, engaging in regular physical activity and creating a healthy lifestyle for you are all very crucial to self-management. Establishing a routine of self-care helps you feel empowered and more in control of your anxiety. My approach also focuses on how you think. I aim in my approach to create an empowerment within yourself that helps you heal.
Journaling & Guided Visualization are powerful tools to manage anxiety.
Journaling is a tool to use in beginning to start healing. Keeping notes of your triggers, feelings and how you responded to a situation will help you see trends in your responses and daily activities. It is a helpful tool for self-reflection and gaining knowledge of who you are, what you do and what would work better for you.
Guided visualization is another effective technique. The process is to visualize a serene, stress-free environment, where you can see yourself relaxing. It creates a mental clarity and openness to finding solutions. This is a tool I have used in my own life many times to think about what I want a goal to look like. It helps me create a space in my mind that is free of noise. Here is an example of how you might find a peaceful place. I have gone there many times over the years to think.
Close your eyes and take a deep breath in through your nose, slowly exhaling through your mouth. Imagine yourself standing on a secluded beach at sunrise. Feel the warmth of the sun on your skin and hear the gentle sound of waves lapping against the shore.
Visualize the sky painted with soft hues of pink and orange, reflecting off the calm, turquoise waters. As you walk barefoot along the smooth sand, feel the coolness beneath your feet and the gentle breeze brushing against your face. Allow yourself to fully immerse in this serene moment, knowing that here, in this peaceful place, you are free from stress and anxiety. In this place, if you were creating something you wanted, what might it look like ?
Counseling for anxiety helps you understand why these feelings persist and how they impact your life.
Together, we will uncover the root causes that have created this feeling for you. We work together to create a plan that will identify triggers, understand your emotions, feelings and develop coping strategies that will begin a path to healing. We find solutions to take back your life and not carry this burden with you.
Maybe You Are Considering Anxiety Therapy But Still Are Unsure?
Is anxiety manageable?
The answer is yes. In my experience, clients often heal, grow and learn who they are. They realize they are not defined by the anxiety they once thought they were. That does not mean though that years of conditioned responses to everyday problems will not need effort, but they will change how they affect you. The journey to healing is possible, and in counseling, we can explore how anxiety connects to various aspects of your life.
Why do I have anxiety about so many things?
Our response to one situation often extends to others, creating a pattern whether it is overthinking, self-criticism, blame or catastrophizing.
In counseling, we can examine each area where you experience anxiety, addressing them one at a time. While it's easy to find something to worry about in everything we do, we can work on changing your approach to these situations.
When I talk to friends and family, why don’t they understand my anxiety?
The answer is not everyone feels the same way nor responds the same way. Friends and family may hear you but might struggle to fully understand or know how to help without overstepping. They may not offer the same insight a counselor would provide. While you can expect them to listen, counseling offers a deeper exploration and understanding of your anxiety through a professional relationship.
Next Steps
Together, we will uncover the root causes that have created this feeling for you. We work together to create a plan that will identify triggers, understand your emotions, feelings and develop coping strategies that will begin a path to healing. We find solutions to take back your life and not carry this burden with you.
Begin a journey to healing by contacting me directly at 317-891-5793 or by reaching out today!