Anxiety

“Worry often gives a small thing a big shadow.”
–Swedish Proverb

If you’re feeling anxious, you’re not alone.

After all, it’s the most common mental illness in the United States.

Worry, stress, insomnia, irritability…

Restlessness, muscle tension, and fatigue…

Panic attacks, phobias, and insecurities…

Obsessive, fuzzy, or “otherworldly” thinking…

Problems in your relationships…

Problems at work…

Problems at home…

Has anxiety tied you up, holding you hostage? Are you waiting for the cavalry to storm in and save you from yourself?

Unfortunately, the conveniences of modern life aren’t helping.

This world is out of control with information overload – fact and fiction, truths or lies – it’s all poured down our throats day and night.

And the taste is awful: name-calling, violence, turmoil, crime, politics, media, technology, cell phones… there are voices everywhere, constantly assaulting your nerves.

And it’s an increasingly artificial and virtual world, where we’re living and working in unnatural environments (are you lucky enough to have at least one window??)… and online “connections” are replacing human touch and relationships.

It’s like we’re all out on a limb, and there’s no one there to catch us.

Does life feel out of control… like you’re about to walk over a cliff?

Once upon a time (maybe when you were two), you were brave, confident, and true to yourself. You didn’t give a care about what others thought.

But that changed…

Early life experiences, trauma, abuse, neglect, assault, loss, grief, betrayal, sickness, death, drugs, alcohol, pregnancy, religion, financial woes, relationship turmoil… SOMETHING has given rise to that fear, insecurity, and panic inside you.

Now, it’s so overwhelming that it’s hard to see where you’re going. You’ve probably hoped and prayed to be free from anxiety – to be free of the somersaults in your stomach and the tightness in your throat.

You might feel powerless against it, but you’re not…

You are stronger than you realize, and I can help you find that strength and break through the anxiety that’s holding you back from living a better life.

Take courage. I am here to catch you.

Anxiety has been well studied and documented, and there are many evidence-based approaches we can take.

We may first help you recognize distorted and negative thinking with Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT). This will help you develop a healthy mindset about yourself and the world around you.

We may work through trauma with Eye Movement Reprocessing and Desensitization (EMDR), which is a way of helping you “reprocess” traumatic memories so that they no longer bring up anxiety when you think of them.

If your mind keeps going in circles and won’t stop obsessing, Exposure and Response Therapy (ERP) will help you face your fears, address your worries, and quiet your mind through the power of visualization.

We can do mindfulness and meditation exercises with grounding techniques to help you stay calm and safe.

We can practice Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to help you merge logic and emotion to float through the waves of panic.

Therapy is not a one-size-fits-all experience.

We will build a treatment plan that serves your unique needs and addresses the anxiety…

In your body (pounding heart, shortness of breath, muscle tightness, dry mouth, etc.),

In your mind (fear, self-doubt, distrust, worry, loss of focus, blanking out, etc.),

And in your emotions (feelings about the anxiety – the apprehension of what’s coming next).

I’ll also help you break out of your comfort zone because often staying there means missing out on your best life.

If you care about what others think about you and their judgment, you will suffer more than most.

If you are afraid of making a mistake and “looking stupid,” you might play it safe and miss out on many adventures and accomplishments.

I can help you embrace your adrenaline-spike instead of fearing it. I can help you use it to your advantage and perform rather than avoid.

Let’s build your confidence and courage… and conquer your fears!

I’ll encourage you as you try out new things: new foods, new music, new places, new people, and new ways of talking to yourself!

You will develop your own “toolbox” of skills and strategies to give you a handle on even the most stressful of situations.

Say “goodbye” to that monkey-mind!

Let me show you how. Call today for your free consultation: (949) 933-1242.