Anxiety

Did you get anxiety just reading that word?

Do you stress out, overthink, always look at (and worry) about the future instead of being in the present? Maybe your anxiety and worry causes you headaches, belly issues, and tense muscles. Do you get panicky with a racing heart, sweating, maybe even feel like you are actually dying?!

Anxiety causes so many physical symptoms, affects our thinking and our way of life. 

 I know personally and professionally that anxiety can be greatly reduced once you make some changes and learn some new things about how your brain works. We need some anxiety because to some extent it has a purpose. Otherwise, we will be jumping off of buildings! 

A quote I like is “Today is the tomorrow we worried about yesterday.”
This is an anxious person’s mantra!

Let’s change this!

Don’t wait 40 years to figure this all out like I did.  Get help now.  If you are older than that don’t worry (no pun intended).  Whether you are 25 or 75 you can still reduce that anxiety. 

I have had a significant amount of training on anxiety. It is a passion of mine so I am always watching out for more information.

Some goals you may have that will be worked on in our sessions:

  • Reduce daily anxiety

  • Settle your “nerves”

  • Reduce or eliminate panic attacks

  • Low self esteem

  • Reduce physical symptoms associated with anxiety

  • Be able to be in crowds, cross those dreaded bridges, or speak in front of groups

  • Stop rumination (over thinking)

  • Change catastrophic/escalating thoughts and cognitive distortions (Stinking thinking)

  • Reduce restlessness, feeling keyed up and so much more

  • A history will be taken.  

  • Learn how your brain works with anxiety

  • Learn how to rewire your brain

  • Explore causes or triggers of your anxiety

  • Learn and practice coping skills and techniques such as relaxation, thought stopping, reframing, 

  • How to deescalate or stop yourself from escalating

  • How to explain to non anxious people what anxiety is and feels like. 

  • Discuss if anxiety medication may be right for you. How to talk to your doctor about medication and any concerns you may have about medication for anxiety. 

So what does counseling for anxiety look like?

Some of the research proven modalities that I utilize when working with you to reduce your anxiety:

Your thoughts (not your circumstances) affect how you feel and behave. We will identify and explore the thinking that is leading to the anxiety.  We will then find better alternatives.

CBT-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

ERP-Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy

This is gradual exposure to the anxiety producing things or events and changing the thoughts associated with it. Notice the word “gradual”.  This is not a sink or swim kind of situation. We will work on the pace together that is right for you to help you make this change. You are exposed to the stressor (this may be directly, through talking about it, seeing pictures etc.).  By “sitting with” the anxiety, the anxiety will naturally go down on its own. This tells your brain that the situation is not as dangerous as you once believed. 

IPT-Interpersonal Therapy

IPT-Interpersonal Therapy. Learning to recognize interpersonal issues that may be affecting your anxiety. This may be conflicts with family, friends, or your partner or problem communication with others. Once these are discovered you will learn new skills to help those issues and therefore help your anxiety.

It is time to take your life back and reduce your anxiety.

Call or text 419.277.4355 today to get more information and start the intake process.

Feel free to email at karen@SavingGraceTC.com