Do You Feel Overwhelmed by Worry?
You finally lie down after an exhausting day, hoping to get a good night’s sleep. But you toss and turn, your eyes still wide open, your muscle still tense. Your thoughts race—you cannot turn off your brain! The difficulty falling asleep has become all too frequent, and you wake up feeling depleted and frustrated yet again. And, the day is not much better. It seems that you can never find release from the fears swarming through your head.
Does that sound familiar? It may be that the “what ifs” and “worse-case scenarios” play out in your mind both day and night, making it hard to relax and concentrate on work, relationships and passions, no matter how much you want to feel present and engaged. Do you often feel “on edge” or irritable, with tense muscles? Does it sometimes seem you can’t get a good, deep breath or slow your pounding heart? Perhaps you find it difficult to control your worry, no matter how you try. All the worry and stress leaves you feeling drained, and you may find yourself avoiding social situations or activities that you used to enjoy. Do you wish you could turn off your thoughts and relax?
Many People Are Struggling With Anxiety
A certain amount of anxiety is expected in life—and can even be helpful at times! Got a big job interview or presentation coming up? A low level of anxiety may propel you to prepare and excel. However, if you are feeling chronically anxious or worried, and anxiety symptoms are impacting your ability to function well at work, home and in relationships, it may be time to seek help.
Although anxiety may be a part of life, it can become a chronic and debilitating condition. No matter how severe your anxiety may seem, know that you are not alone. According to The Anxiety and Depression Association of America, about 40 million Americans suffer from anxiety disorders. For some, this means having an excessive and persistent anxiety and worry over time, which is classified as Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Some people have panic attacks, in which they experience intense symptoms that may include a racing pulse, shortness of breath, feeling dizzy or lightheaded, a fear of dying or other sudden, distressing body sensations and thoughts. Others may experience high levels of anxiety due to specific situations, such as failed relationships, losing a job, traumatic events or financial losses. Even wanted changes, such as a going to college, getting a new job, having a baby or moving to a new city, sometimes result in feeling anxious or stressed. For many people, anxiety rears its ugly head when they are faced with new social situations, such as being invited to a party, going to events where there are crowds or even meeting friends at a new restaurant.
Regardless of its particular triggers or manifestations, anxiety is uncomfortable and makes it difficult to enjoy life as it unfolds moment by moment. The good news is, there is hope! Therapy offers practical tools to cope with and manage the anxiety and worry that gets in the way of living the life you desire.
Anxiety Therapy Can Help You Let Go of Worry and Find Peace
If anxiety and worry have become obstacles to feeling at peace in your life, it may be time to ask for professional support. Working with an experienced and compassionate professional can equip you with practical tools to tame the worried thoughts and strategies to focus on what’s important to you.
In our sessions, I will tailor my treatment approach to meet your individual needs There is no “one size fits all” in therapy, and what works for one may not be the best approach for others. I am committed to offering clients an array of tools to help with their own concerns. I have attended trainings to offer my clients Brainspotting, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) and AEDP (Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy), all modalities that are utilized to treat anxiety with good success. We will work together to find the most helpful tool for you.
As you participate in anxiety therapy sessions, you can learn to change your relationship to your thoughts and feelings to decrease their power. You can also utilize mindfulness techniques to stay in the present instead of focusing on the “what ifs” in the future. Or, it may be that other modalities, such as EMDR or Brainspotting, help you untangle the roots of the fear that keep you paralyzed.
As someone who has also struggled with anxiety, I may be able to relate to some of what you may be experiencing. I also know that, by utilizing the tools learned with the support of a professional, it is possible to find lasting freedom from worry.
You may have questions or concerns about anxiety treatment…
Shouldn’t I be able to handle this on my own?
I have heard many people say something like, “I have a good life—I should just be happy.” So they go along day by day, putting on a mask, struggling alone with their fears and worry. Sound familiar? You have probably tried really hard to manage on your own, getting through the day, but the gnawing anxiety and worry continues to beat you down. How long have you been dealing with anxiety? How long has it been since you had a good night’s rest, or been able to feel “at ease” at home and work? Why wait any longer?
Anxiety can be treated effectively, with clients getting significant relief over time. Some clients can benefit with counseling only, others may need the addition of medication from a medical provider if anxiety or panic is affecting their ability to function in their daily activities. If you are interested in seeking medication, I can refer you to your primary care provider.
I’m already stressed, with too much on my plate. How can I possibly take time out for anxiety therapy?
Of course, seeking help is a commitment. Therapy will be something else to add to your already full calendar. However, the investment of 45-50 minutes weekly now can have big payoffs for your future. Imagine feeling “at ease” in your body and thoughts, enjoying inner peace and freeing yourself up to really be present for your relationships, career and other things that make life meaningful.
In addition, once you begin to feel better, we may agree to go to every-other-week sessions, gradually decreasing frequency as you feel ready. You can find an anxiety treatment schedule that works for you.
I can’t imagine talking to a stranger about my problems.
If you struggle with anxiety, especially social anxiety, it may be difficult to even think about coming to a stranger in an office you’ve never been to before to talk about your concerns. That makes sense! So, I strive to make the therapy process as comfortable and unintimidating as possible. If you need to approach your story slowly, we may spend the first few minutes of the session working on calming exercises, or talking about neutral topics. In addition, my office is warm and inviting to put you at ease. You can feel safe, heard and accepted.
Ready to Make a Change?
If you are wondering if anxiety therapy is right for you or if you have questions you may reach me directly at 615-828-6973. Or, you may schedule here online. I am located in Hendersonville, TN, and I look forward to hearing from you!