Do You Constantly Feel Overwhelmed And On Edge?
Are you struggling with anxiety on a daily basis? Do you constantly worry and feel unable to make your thoughts stop or slow down? You may lie awake at night, ruminating over all you didn’t accomplish, all the things you could have done differently, or the choices you regret. Maybe you’re worried about the future of your family or your finances. Or, maybe your mind dwells on where you feel you’ve fallen short in your life, whether in your career, in a relationship, or in attaining an important goal.
Do you feel like your anxiety gets in the way of living, because you’re always distracted by worries about every little thing, making it hard to concentrate? Perhaps you wake up every day already feeling overwhelmed with life, like there’s an elephant on your chest. You feel the worry deep in your gut, and you can’t even place where it’s coming from.
Or, have you experienced some sort of trauma and struggle with PTSD? Maybe you often encounter triggers that seem to suck you back into the past. As you have flashbacks or your mind brings up intrusive memories, you might find it difficult to focus on the present and trust that things will be okay. The intensity of what comes up at these times may even trigger panic attacks, which can include a racing heart and thoughts that you could be dying. Some people with anxiety feel on edge, thinking their next panic attack could happen any minute without warning. This is can be such a difficult way to live.
Regardless of the reasons why you feel anxious, do you wish just for once you could relax, find peace, and feel free to live your life?
Anxiety Can Be More Than Overwhelming, But You Are Not Alone
Anxiety can feel unbearable and exhausting! Anyone dealing with anxiety knows how difficult life can feel every day. Anxiety can really impact every area of your life—you likely can’t stop thinking about the next potential disaster and how you can avoid it. You might find yourself thinking, if I could just make my mind stop, life would be so much easier.
Like so many others, you might feel the need to put on a façade to hide the fact that you’re actually really stressed and worried. Perfectionism and anxiety can be closely related; you might feel like you’re constantly trying to prove to the world that you have everything under control. But these efforts can be exhausting, and often leave little room for “you” time because your mind is constantly focused on questions like, what will they think? or, am I measuring up?
As stressful and isolating as these symptoms may feel, anxiety is extremely common.
In fact, in the United States, anxiety disorders affect 40 million adults (18 and older) every year—they are actually the most common mental illness in the country. This is because the human brain is wired to be alert and to avoid trouble. We naturally remember the things that go wrong in our lives so that we can prevent them in the future. When we’re constantly thinking about what could go wrong, however, it is incredibly hard to live in the present—to show up for our own lives or in our most important relationships. Modern societal pressures make it even harder, because we are expected to be connected to the world 24/7, tuned into distressing news and ready for the next bad thing to happen.
Many people who suffer from an anxiety disorder also struggle with depression. The two share some common symptoms, including restlessness, irritability, and problems sleeping and concentrating. Some people with anxiety can even develop depression later in life. If you feel increasingly down or tired or you don’t enjoy the things you used to, click here to see if you have depression and learn more about how I can help.
Regardless of your particular experience and how anxiety is affecting you, I will gently guide you to live from your grounded center, so you can live a purposeful and satisfying life. With my dedicated support, you can move forward, stop living in your mind, and get back into your life!
Anxiety Therapy Can Help You Live Freely Again
No matter how stressed out, exhausted, and hopeless you may feel right now, remember you are not alone. Fortunately, anxiety disorders are highly treatable. Working with a compassionate, skilled therapist can help you better understand your symptoms and the mind’s role in keeping you stuck. We work together to help you take action—small steps at first—in the areas of life most important to you. Then you can begin living your life again.
From the time I first meet you, my first priority is for you to feel safe in every way possible. I offer a calming and comfortable space, and I am attentive to what you need to feel at ease with me as I get to know you and what brings you to therapy. As you are comfortable, I am ready to hear your story and what is impacting you now. I will never pressure you to reveal or revisit anything you’re not ready to. I will always leave it up to you as to what you share with me.
During anxiety therapy sessions, I am not interested in success or failure, but rather in helping you observe your own thoughts, feelings, and actions without judgment or evaluation. Together, we will look at what is working and not working in your life, and discover what works for overcoming self-doubt, self-criticism, and stress. We often find ourselves stuck because we buy into our mind’s natural impulse to avoid negative experiences. I will show you how to use mindfulness to make subtle but powerful shifts to help you stay present with yourself, so that you can begin to live with more freedom and purpose.
Over my 20 years of experience as a therapist, I have found Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to be the most helpful therapeutic model for clients struggling with anxiety. This is consistent with research. More importantly, I continue to use these core principles in my own life every day, as they support a mind-body-spirit awareness, healing, and growth. I have seen people overcome incredible challenges in their lives, so I know change is possible. We are going to do this together, each step of the way.
You May Have Some Questions Or Concerns Regarding Anxiety Therapy…
Shouldn’t I be able to get through this on my own?
Occasional anxiety is a normal part of life, like nerves before a big exam or when you’re faced with a problem at work. But anxiety disorders involve more than temporary worry or fear; for a person with an anxiety disorder, the anxiety does not go away and can get worse over time. The feelings can interfere with daily activities such as job performance, school work, and relationships, which is a sign that you may need to reach out for professional help.
When anxiety is impacting major areas of your life, it’s not about trying harder. If it were that easy, you would have probably done it already. There is no “off” switch that lets you just stop having the kind of thoughts that you’ve been used to for so long. The shifts that will help you take your life back from anxiety are counterintuitive. Letting go in order to regain control over your mind is a difficult thing—especially if you have struggled with panic attacks—and it is extremely helpful to have a skilled therapist like me by your side to support you.
Sometimes, our minds trick us into thinking that we can’t change or take big leaps in therapy, when we really can. In therapy, I can help you address your anxiety and learn new strategies that are best for you and your overall wellbeing.
Doesn’t going to therapy mean that I’m weak?
Going to therapy for the first time or making that first call is actually very difficult for most people. It is a sign of strength, not weakness, to take the first steps towards regaining control over your life by addressing your anxiety.
As an experienced therapist, I recognize the discomfort that can come with going to therapy. However, I know the profound positive changes that can happen with therapy because I’ve seen them. I am here for you and you alone, dedicated to helping you with overcoming anxiety, and to showing you how to be present and intentional in small and big ways. It’s about discovering a new way of moving through life to get where you want to go.
Now doesn’t seem like the time for therapy—I can always do it later…
How important is it to you to begin living the life you really want? Are you still in the same place that you have been, battling inner fears and confused why things haven’t changed? How much is taking these first steps towards a more positive life worth to you?
There are a million excuses that you could make for not addressing the important things in your life. But living a happy life, free from crushing stress and relentless overwhelm, seems pretty important to me. Let’s begin to move forward together today.