Is Fear Or Anxiety Limiting The Way You Live?
Do you have trouble feeling at ease, relaxing, or being comfortable in ordinary situations? Are you always worried or constantly pursued by a stream of negative, intrusive thoughts? Do you ever experience debilitating fear or anxiety that comes on suddenly and takes you by surprise? Are you procrastinating or avoiding responsibilities because of stress or worry only to find that it makes you feel even more overwhelmed?
Perhaps your heart races for no apparent reason or you have chronic muscle soreness, a persistent pit in your stomach, or trouble sleeping even though you feel exhausted all the time. Or maybe the stress of dwelling on the future and always being on-guard is limiting your social life and pushing away the people you love.
Anxiety has a way of infiltrating nearly every aspect of a person’s life. For instance, you may feel guarded in your conversations, unsure of your abilities, or afraid to take on risks that could improve your quality of life. Stress and anxiety may be causing tension in your relationships as you struggle to cope with feelings and physical sensations that you don’t understand. Or you could be throwing yourself into work or numbing yourself with unhealthy distractions to avoid the fear and loneliness caused by anxiety.
If you are struggling with anxiety or need guidance and support dealing with the common stressors of everyday life, I can help. Together, we can tailor a unique treatment plan for managing stress, overcoming anxiety, and regaining control of life no matter what your circumstances are.
Anxiety Is A Natural Response To Fear
Everyone experiences anxiety at some point; it’s just a natural part of life, like coping with adversity or change. However, when fear and anxiety begin controlling your life, it can be easy to feel discouraged and misunderstood—but you are not alone. Anxiety disorders account for the largest mental health concern in the US, affecting approximately 40 million adults.
Many people often struggle with a lot of hidden, internalized stress that can contribute to anxiety. For instance, professionals can obsess and worry too much about the demands of a career. Married couples often encounter a lot of pressure to provide for the family or to be the best parents. And many individuals often fear being alone, abandoned, or even unworthy of happiness. All of these stressors create challenges in relationships and life that can easily contribute to—or be influenced by—anxiety.
It can be easy to dismiss stress and anxiety as merely a part of life—perhaps a phase that will pass over time. But ignoring your pain only perpetuates the suffering. Rather than letting fear and doubt keep you feeling stuck or left behind, I can help you take control of your future. Together, we’ll heal old wounds and find a way for you to move forward with confidence and peace.
You Can Find Answers And Support With Anxiety Treatment
Working with an anxiety counselor gives you a compassionate environment in which to express thoughts and feelings no matter what their context is. It provides you with an audience with whom you can share your story or parts of yourself that you may keep hidden from others. Therapy also offers you a safe space in which to understand and unravel the roots of your anxiety so you can process old, buried pain and move forward with your life. Regardless of your situation, we can work together to identify what is going on and how we can minimize anxiety’s impact on your life.
Much of therapy is about setting healthy boundaries and learning how to differentiate who you are from who you think you are supposed to be. Part of that often requires looking into your thoughts, emotions, personal desires, and goals for anxiety treatment. In some cases, we may explore your first memories, early relationships, or how you handled adversity in the past to gather further insight into the origins of your anxiety. Other times, we may focus on minimizing the effect that anxiety is having on your life while creating solutions for obstacles you are presently facing.
Whatever your needs are, I offer a flexible approach to anxiety therapy that lets you control the pace of sessions and what you want to talk about. I’ll provide you with guidance and suggestions, but I’ll never ask you to do something you are uncomfortable with.
One of the tools I use is Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which enables you to identify negative beliefs or thought patterns and reframe them into a perspective that is more representative of your true self. Attachment theory, on the other hand, provides insight into how early relationships and emotional bonds may have influenced your social and relational development. I can also teach you breath-work, mindfulness, journaling exercises, and “catching your thoughts” strategies that can increase your emotional flexibility by shifting the way you think. We’ll also work on cultivating a sense of self-compassion so you can embrace yourself for who you are without judgment.
Whatever your needs are, anxiety counseling can change the way you see yourself and your potential for happiness. Together, we can work to heal old wounds, overcome difficult challenges, and replace negative thoughts with self-compassion and confidence that will allow you to live without fear or limitation.
Perhaps you are considering anxiety treatment but still have some concerns…
I’m worried that I’ll be judged.
I understand that it can be difficult reaching out for help, but everyone has challenges or issues they have to deal with. Besides, therapy is a place dedicated to validating and processing your thoughts and emotions—not judging them. Believe me, I have been doing this long enough that nothing surprises me, so you’re free to discuss anything you need to without fear of judgment. Plus, if you feel more comfortable meeting online, I also offer tele-health services that can be just as effective as traditional therapy sessions and even more convenient.
Is anxiety therapy worth investing time and money?
Letting anxiety run its own course can create even greater problems later on in life. In the meantime, it can prevent you from making healthier decisions, engaging in fulfilling relationships, and just being the person you were meant to be. With a limited investment of time and money now, you can take control of your emotions, improve your overall health, and live with greater peace of mind in the long run.
I’m a little worried you’ll force me to change too quickly.
I recognize that the healing process works best when a person is ready and open to the changes that come with it. That’s why I will never push you to a predetermined end, but rather gently guide you to where you want to be. That means you control the pace, intensity, and direction of sessions. Together, we can discover what happiness and relief from anxiety truly look like to you and then work our way there, taking all the time you need.
You Don’t Have To Let Anxiety Define Your Future
If you would like to break free from anxiety and claim control over your life, counseling can help. Please call 512-940-3565 for your free, 15-minute consultation. I would love to address any questions or concerns you may have about my approach to helping you be happier, healthier, and more at ease in your life.
In light of COVID-19 and for the sake of everyone’s health and personal safety, I am conducting all therapy sessions online for the foreseeable future.