Anxiety Counseling
Do you find yourself trapped in the relentless grip of anxiety?
Does your body keep giving you signals of some sort of threat, even if your mind is calm?
Do you experience decision paralysis or the need to be perfect in your choices or plans?
Do the “What Ifs” keep circling in your mind, even when you’re trying to sleep?
Perhaps you've been feeling this constant undercurrent of worry and fear lately. Or you might have felt this for a long time and you are starting to realize you would like some help learning how to deal with it. Maybe there are moments when your body feels like it is on high alert, responding to something that might not be immediately apparent. Or you're struggling to fall asleep due to racing thoughts, or you find yourself waking up in the middle of the night with a mind buzzing with anxious concerns.
Maybe you’re experiencing a whirlwind of 'what-ifs' and concerns about the future. Or you find yourself getting pulled into the past, criticizing yourself and your behaviors. It's possible that your mind feels like it's working overtime, considering various scenarios, and often focusing on the negative outcomes. Socially, maybe you find it challenging to engage with others. There could be a lingering fear of judgment or an intense self-consciousness that makes social interactions feel like an uphill battle. This might lead you to moments of isolation and loneliness, further intensifying your feelings of anxiety.
The good news is that there are effective therapeutic approaches and coping strategies that we can explore together in treatment, to help manage and alleviate these feelings.
It's important to acknowledge that this could be more than just a passing feeling of stress. Anxiety can feel like a nagging companion, impacting various aspects of your life, but working together with an anxiety therapist to identify your potential triggers and developing tools for coping, you can work towards creating a more balanced and peaceful state of mind for you.
It’s natural to feel periods of mild anxiety, especially with all the stress and responsibilities of adult living, the pressures of work, or family, and the unpredictability of navigating our imperfect society.
However, when it becomes a complex emotional state that is persistent, with an excessive sense of worry, fear, or uneasiness, it can start to impact various aspects of life, including thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations.
Unlike the occasional nervousness or worry that people may feel in response to specific situations (such as a job interview or public speaking), anxiety tends to be more persistent. It lingers over an extended period and often intensifies, even in situations where the level of threat is not objectively high. It can interfere with the ability to concentrate, engage in social activities, and even disrupt sleep patterns. The constant state of alertness and worry can make it challenging to enjoy life and fulfill responsibilities.
Essentially, anxiety as a passing emotion is a natural and adaptive response, but when it becomes persistent, intense, and disrupts daily life, it may indicate the presence of an anxiety disorder. Recognizing the differences between normal anxious feelings and problematic anxiety is an important step in understanding and addressing this complex emotional state.
Sustained recovery from generalized anxiety disorder is possible. If you find that your anxiety is significantly impacting your well-being, seeking support with an anxiety counselor can be valuable. Feel free to reach out and ask questions! Sheltering Tree Counseling can help you find your centered, calm self and learn to trust yourself again.
Anxiety Therapy at Sheltering Tree Counseling
Seeking professional help can provide the support to manage your anxiety effectively, and improve your overall mental well-being. When you are struggling to quiet the worry and fear, it can help to have a place to voice those concerns and explore what types of coping skills can be useful for you.
Anxiety often takes a toll on self-esteem. Therapy can address negative self-perceptions and help clients develop a more positive and realistic view of themselves. We can figure out together what might feel safe for you to begin doing that.
What to Expect
In our sessions, I can help us begin to create a space of trust, support, and collaboration, so that you can feel comfortable expressing your worries openly. I can help you to explore your concerns, without judgment, so that you might begin to foster more self-exploration and self-acceptance, while empowering your self to find the solutions that feel right for you. Through this process, you might start to develop a more positive sense of yourself. We can work together to acknowledge the very real challenges in the world you navigate, so that you can begin to more easily discern what you can change internally, vs. what is not in your control to change, but can be better navigated in a way that takes care of you.
We can work together to help you recognize your helpful coping mechanisms and your positive attributes. As we work, you can explore times when you've successfully managed stress and anxiety, identifying those strengths that can be applied to current challenges. This approach aims to instill a sense of empowerment and confidence in your ability to navigate difficulties.
The Modalities I Use
I also bring a myriad of other evidence-based tools to our conversations - therapy approaches like Mindfulness Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which are often recommended for treatment of anxiety, for example. However, I am not stuck in the idea of the one-size-fits-all approach, and I won’t push a style that doesn’t feel like it’s working for you. The effectiveness of any approach or tool is different from person to person, so it’s important to me to listen to you about your experiences, and about what is working or not working for you, so that our work may be tailored to your needs and your experiences. We would create a safe space for you to learn and practice new coping skills. These skills can include relaxation techniques, mindfulness practices, cognitive restructuring (finding ways to shift your thinking, so that you have more room for choice in your responses instead of only anxiety), as well as problem-solving strategies. Any of these can be helpful to manage anxiety symptoms, and we can explore which ones feel right for you, each step of the way.
In the time I have been working with clients, I regularly see folks, slowly, and at their own pace, begin to ease into more self-empowerment and try out new ways of thinking and acting, and by doing so they gain the self-confidence that comes from succeeding at the small wins and then going for the bigger ones.
Maybe you still have concerns, and want more information about what to expect first.
The stigma around mental health issues, the vulnerability associated with opening up, and uncertainty about whether counseling will be beneficial are common concerns. Additionally, personal or cultural beliefs about seeking help for mental health problems may contribute to your hesitation. It makes sense to not want to challenge those beliefs, and it can feel scary to try something risky.
Overcoming these concerns often tends to involve recognizing what value you place on your own mental health, understanding that seeking help is a sign of strength, and taking small steps towards reaching out for support.
Will I be judged for my thoughts and feelings in therapy?
As your therapist, I want to assure you that I provide a safe, nonjudgmental space where you can express yourself freely. My role is to support you with empathy and understanding, without any judgment. I will help you explore those thoughts and feelings, and allow you to discover if or how you want to change them, at your own pace.
How will therapy help me manage my anxiety on a practical level?
In therapy, we will work together to identify specific strategies and coping skills tailored to your unique needs. These may include relaxation techniques, cognitive or behavioral exercises, and mindfulness practices that you can implement in your daily life to manage anxiety more effectively.
What if I find it difficult to open up or talk about my feelings?
It's completely normal to feel hesitant about opening up in therapy, especially if you're experiencing anxiety. I will provide a supportive and gentle approach, guiding you at a pace that feels comfortable for you. We can start by exploring smaller topics and gradually work towards deeper conversations as you become more comfortable.
How long will it take for therapy to make a difference in my life?
The duration of therapy varies for each individual, depending on factors such as the severity of your anxiety and your personal goals. While it's natural to desire quick results, meaningful change often takes time and consistency. Together, we will work towards progress at a pace that feels right for you, celebrating each step forward along the way.
At Sheltering Tree Counseling, I understand the toll that anxiety can take on your well-being. I have been working with clients struggling with anxiety for many years, and I have been thrilled to watch their progressions unfold toward more confidence and self-compassion.
I invite you to reach out and send me an email, if you’d like to ask any questions or if you have any concerns - no obligations. I am here to help guide you towards a calmer, more centered life.
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