Anxiety Therapy
Is Striving For Perfection Fueling Your Anxiety?
Do you spend lots of time ruminating, comparing yourself to others, or relentlessly criticizing yourself?
Are you pushing yourself to keep up with a rigorous work schedule and high expectations, leading to chronic stress and burnout?
Have your perfectionist tendencies and desire for constant progress and accomplishments started to interfere with your relationships?
If you’re living with anxiety, you might worry intensely about how you appear to others. Your schedule is packed, leaving you fatigued and stretched thin. You may hold yourself to unrealistically high standards, and making even a minor mistake can trigger your symptoms.
Perfectionism Can Lead To Harmful Behavioral Patterns
You might have adopted over-controlling behaviors in certain areas of your life in an attempt to alleviate your anxiety. For example, you might be putting in too many extra hours at your job, spending excessive amounts of money on self-improvement products, restricting the foods you eat, or jumping into various dietary “cleanses” or fasting plans.
You might repeatedly check yourself in the mirror, weigh yourself, bite your nails, or pick at your skin. You may go overboard with health tests and bloodwork trying to attain perfect gut-health and an optimally toned body, yet all the while feeling “just not quite good enough”
If your physical and emotional wellbeing are suffering as a result of anxiety, counseling can help you understand your specific triggers, change the automatic thoughts that occur in stressful situations, and build your self-worth from the inside out.
Constant Media Exposure Can Fuel Anxiety And Drive Self-Criticism
Mild anxiety is a normal and valuable part of the human experience. But today, people are frequently exposed to fear-based messaging online, which leaves them feeling unsure of which “expert,” website, coach or food plan to trust.
Furthermore, people who spend ample time on social media can’t help but compare themselves to the idealized images that other people share on the internet. This can exacerbate anxiety and for some individuals, it increases their obsessiveness—to look better, sound better, perform better, eat better, exercise better, work better. They are consistently trying to fix what’s “wrong” with them and rarely feel at peace with themselves.
People Often Internalize Harmful Messages From Childhood
The internet is not the only place where people are exposed to negative messaging which affects their self-worth. Lots of people grow up in environments where they are not taught how to set healthy boundaries, navigate conflict with respect, or self-soothe. An individual who was criticized by their parents or peers might distrust their intuition or believe they can’t handle challenges.
Many people feel that their anxiety helps them avoid repeating painful experiences from the past. They worry that letting go of their anxious coping mechanisms would open them up to failure, laziness, shame, or criticism.
Our society conceptualizes anxiety as a weakness, which makes people hesitant to open up and share their struggles. But tapping into your vulnerability helps you build emotional resilience. By talking to a therapist, you can gradually let go of your limiting beliefs, find relief from the physical symptoms of anxiety, and heal unresolved grief that might be holding you back.
Through Anxiety Therapy, You Can Change The Way You Handle Stress
If you’re dealing with an anxiety disorder, therapy represents an opportunity to identify any past events that might be influencing your stress responses in the present. When we begin working together, you’ll be able to open up about your symptoms in a safe environment, and I’ll support you in strengthening your coping skills with a holistic approach that honors your mind, body, and spirit as we explore the roots of your anxiety.
What To Expect In Anxiety Counseling Sessions
During sessions, we’ll discuss your present circumstances, consider how your previous experiences might have an impact on your emotional state today, and discuss possible changes you can make in your day-to-day life to integrate new awarenesses.
Anxiety, perfectionism, and a desire for control can narrow your perceptions of what’s possible for you, or what you’re “allowed” to do. In addition to providing you with effective coping skills, I’ll help you broaden your perspective, reflect on your long-term goals, and explore new directions for your future so that you build a life that enables you to thrive.
Treatment Approaches For Anxiety Therapy
I incorporate anxiety treatment techniques from several different therapeutic modalities to best support your personal needs and goals.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) will help you understand how your thought patterns may be contributing to your anxiety. I’ll guide you in changing your behavioral and emotional responses to stress so that you don’t become overwhelmed.
Gestalt therapy lets you explore how anxiety affects you physically and visualize yourself releasing stress from your body, becoming more grounded in the process.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) will teach you how to get in touch with your personal core values so that you can build a life centered around your genuine priorities, rather than aiming for perfection, trying to avoid making any mistakes, or experiencing anxiety over what other people think.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) can be a powerful approach to practicing radical acceptance during difficult times, improving your distress tolerance when your anxiety crops up, and resisting the urge to catastrophize or turn to black-and-white thinking.
We’ll practice relaxing techniques like deep breathing, and you’ll also identify self-soothing skills that help you stay grounded, like dancing, journaling, or positive visualizations. You’ll notice how your body feels as you shift from irrational to rational thinking.
Anxiety is not your enemy—in fact, it can serve as a valuable warning sign that something is wrong. However, if it feels like your anxiety has taken on a life of its own, it may be time to start working with a counselor. I’m here to support you in developing a healthier relationship with your anxiety and tune into what it’s telling you about your past, your environment, your boundaries, and your needs.
But You May Still Have Questions About Anxiety Therapy…
Anxiety doesn’t seem to be a problem for other people—shouldn’t I be able to handle this on my own?
Anxiety can feel isolating, but you’re not alone in your experiences. Anxiety is actually the most common mental health condition in the US, affecting 40 million people, or 19.1% of the population (1). While the symptoms can feel overwhelming, anxiety is highly treatable, and reaching out for help is not a sign of weakness. With support, you can cultivate a calm, tranquil life.
I’ve been struggling with anxiety for so long. Can therapy really help me?
Right now, you might feel like your anxiety symptoms are out of your control. I have been working with people who suffer from anxiety since 2005, and I know that no matter your symptoms, healing is possible. In therapy, we’ll work on practical skills you can use to manage your anxiety on a daily basis. When you successfully apply these skills to self-soothe outside of sessions, you’ll gain confidence in your ability to cope with stress.
How long will I need to be in therapy?
Everyone is unique, and the amount of time you spend in therapy will depend on your specific needs, goals, and the severity of your anxiety symptoms. However, many people do experience a significant reduction in their anxiety symptoms within 8 to 10 sessions. I’ll check in with you about every 4 sessions to assess your progress, adjust your treatment plan accordingly, and see if you find value in continuing therapy.
(1) https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/any-anxiety-disorder
In Counseling, You Can Address The Root Cause Of Your Anxiety
With support, you can shift your self-perception and release your anxiety. If you’re interested in learning more about anxiety counseling or starting therapy sessions, I encourage you to contact my office at (303) 483-8253 to schedule a free consultation or book your first appointment.
