Anxiety

Most people can feel anxious when confronted with an unfamiliar situation like a job interview or meeting someone important for the first time. However, you may be suffering from anxiety when anxious feelings and fear begin to control your thoughts for no apparent reason. Anxiety disorders are the most common illness in the U.S, affecting over 40 million adults.

Anxiety is an overwhelming nervousness, worry, or fear that can make you feel frozen or trapped. People with anxiety can suffer panic attacks, obsessive thoughts, incapacitating phobias, or constant worry. It can interfere with sleep, eating habits, school, work, hobbies, and relationships.

Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety

People show anxiety in many ways. A person with anxiety may talk incessantly or may be withdrawn. Some people with anxiety can be combative or take on compulsive behaviors or nervous tics. If you believe you or a someone you love may have anxiety, reach out for help. Here are some signs to seek professional therapy for anxiety:

• You have thoughts that feel scary or out of control

• Anxiety is negatively impacting relationships you care about

• You have difficulty focusing or thinking clearly about anything except what you are worried about

• You feel like you can’t be in public or around other people

• You are having trouble sleeping and feel weak and tired all the time

• Anxiety makes it hard to do daily tasks like eating, cleaning, going to work, or childcare

Therapy for Anxiety  

How I Treat Anxiety in Therapy

Therapy is trust-based. It can take some time for a person with anxiety to feel they can trust a therapist; thus, a one-on-one approach is usually the most effective. Once trust is established, effective therapy can reduce or eliminate symptoms that come with anxiety in a reasonably short time.  The American Psychological Association states that many people improve significantly within 8 to 10 therapy sessions. The length of therapy necessary will depend on the type and severity of your anxiety.

Using evidence-based treatments, I will help you or your loved one manage symptoms. I help clients work through the many trials and adjustments that come with life, such as periods of transition and experiences that leave them stressed out and overwhelmed.

My approach to therapy is not a one-size-fits-all approach. I use a combination of evidence-based therapy treatments such as:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Cognitive behavioral therapy aims to identify negative thoughts and beliefs and replace them with positive ones.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): Dialectical behavioral therapy aims to calm the intensity of a person’s emotions and focus on what is going on in the present.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Acceptance and Commitment Therapy aims to encourage a person to accept the circumstances in their life and make short and long-term commitments to act in ways that helps them face their problems head-on rather than avoiding them.

Together we work through self-reflection to understand and unravel the cause of anxiety. We focus on learning how to relax, seeing situations less frighteningly, and developing problem-solving skills.

Contact me for a free 15-minute phone consultation.