Anxiety
The world today is engineered to give people anxiety. We all face constant pressure from work, family, friends, and social media. On top of that, in today’s political climate it is easy to feel a stressed. Anxiety can take many forms, and we can work together to help you address your issues with anxiety so that you can live a more engaged life. Here are just a few types of anxiety that I help treat:
Feeling Out of Control
Feeling out of control can lead to obsessive thoughts, unhealthy ways of coping, and efforts to micro-manage your life or your partner’s life. This type of anxiety takes away from being in the present moment, feeling connected, being able to rest, and enjoying your life. Through the use of talk therapy and mind-body approaches, such as yoga and mindfulness, we will work to help you feel centered and able to manage this anxiety.
Social Anxiety
Maybe you feel anxious in crowds or talking to other people. You might feel trapped and overwhelmed by your own emotions. Together we can work to help you feel more comfortable in social situations. You will learn skills to help you manage stress and navigate difficult interactions. I will work with you to move towards whatever social life you desire.
Professional Anxiety
You may feel that you are never working enough, studying enough, and are never smart enough. Emails arrive at 11pm on a Saturday and you feel pressured to answer them, worrying that you will be viewed negatively if you wait until Monday. In therapy you can learn new ways to set boundaries and stick to them as well as healthy coping skills for professional stress. When you feel better you can perform better at work or school, while staying focused on your professional goals.
Depression
Depression is sneaky and powerful. Many clients I see do not realize that they are depressed, and have been depressed for years.
Depression doesn’t always look like what you see on tv. Many people who are depressed hold full-time jobs, have families, and have active social lives. But underneath the surface, they lose interest things they used to love, have difficulty sleeping or sleep too much, experience low motivation, and have trouble concentrating. They feel anxious, lost, and are frequently agitated and angry.
If you are depressed, you may also have suicidal thoughts, or feel like you would rather not exist. Everyone has these thoughts from time to time, but in depression they become more common and more powerful. In therapy, we will collaborate to manage these thoughts, explore contributing factors for your depressive symptoms, and develop new, healthier patterns.
I integrate various approaches to help you manage your depression. For some people Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can be helpful, while for others mind-body approaches are the most useful. We will work together to determine the best approach for you.