Stress, PTSD and Anxiety Therapists in Capitola, CA.

We have so many demands on us these days that most people experience stress and anxiety on a daily basis. However, many don't feel there is a solution to feeling this way so the feeling of fear, worry or unease just continues. In therapy, we learn how to identify the emotions present, learn how to tolerate the emotions themselves, and begin to heal within.

The anxiety disorders are usually very amenable to EMDR therapy, which deals with disturbing memories, negative beliefs, body sensations and emotions associated with the root of the anxiety. Stress leads to anxiety which leads to low serotonin levels and then poor functioning. The EMDR is a "non-drug" treatment for anxiety and stress. This is a preferable approach for real resolution rather than taking prescription medications for anxiety, which are the "benzos", highly addictive with regular use for just a few months, and difficult to get out of one's system. Anxiety, worrying, stressing, nervousness, phobias, fears, triggers, are common problems in our high strung culture but fixable.

In anxiety treatment sessions with me, you will learn to identify, feel, and let go of fear so that you can live more fully in the present. By better understanding your own unique anxiety process, you will feel more in control of the experience of this emotion. You will also be able to get through tense feelings more quickly. I will teach you valuable relaxation, stress management, and relapse prevention skills so that you can stay calmer in triggering situations even after completing therapy. You will enjoy the freedom of living more peacefully as well as feeling more confident in previously uncomfortable situations. Call me with any questions or to schedule an initial appointment.

Free 30 minute zoom call - Anxiety can arise from several places - one is the mind - people can think & imagine scenarios in their minds that create anxiety, when their thoughts and imagination may not even be true. Anxiety is also common in people who did not have a safe & secure experience with caregivers as they were growing up. The brain ends up being wired in a way that reproduces anxiety. Fortunately, due to new research in the field of neuropsychology & neuroplasticity, this can be changed!

I enjoy helping clients with anxiety and/or stress issues. First, we want to rule out any physical causes, so it is important to have a recent medical exam. Always remember, though, anxiety and stress are natural and in many ways beneficial feelings. They keep us motivated and productive! However, too much of a good thing is not good by any means. That's where I come in with my tools to reduce stress and/or anxiety.

At times excessive worry and difficult situations in life can make just getting through the day feel challenging. Through gaining an understanding of your relationship to stress and the causes of anxiety, I can help you recover and begin to cope. I will provide you with a safe, compassionate and non-judgmental place to explore and practice skills to approach life in a way that reduces stress and anxiety. I use an integrated approach depending on what will best support your needs, using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and DBT, as well as Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) practices to support you. We can work together to help you gain the calm, clarity and peace you are seeking.

Anxiety is an internal alarm system that gives us information about our internal state as well as possible danger in the external world. Often, anxiety is a signal of deeper, more intense emotions such as sadness, anger, and fear. It can also be a consequence of not living authentically. Once these deeper feelings are identified and expressed, they can be readily released. For example, when we say "Yes" when we really mean "No," we will often experience anxiety. In this case, the anxiety is providing us with a warning that we are not being honest (living authentically) with ourself and/or another. Therapy is the perfect place to explore this common emotion.

Anxiety and stress are the symptoms I treat most often in my practice. Some people are not aware, but trauma is deep-rooted anxiety that is held within our body. We can feel anxious about work, children, relationships, or family. We can feel stressed about work or relationships and friendships. A highly effective tool for treating these symptoms is mindfulness. Mindfulness is a way that you can learn to relax the anxiety that is held within your body and your mind. I love this technique because it is not only highly effective, but it is very easy to learn. You can walk away from your first therapy session with a start to your mindfulness journey and have real tools at your disposal.

Your stress may be triggered by job loss, illness, relationships or by "positive" stressors like a new job or a baby. I provide a solution-oriented and healing environment for people who are suffering from the stress of living a "real" life. I provide a place to change the way you talk to yourself so you will stop beating yourself up and start predicting and creating positive results in your, or your family's, future. We will join together to increase your ability to cope with stress and appreciate your strengths as a human being. You can increase your tolerance for making important changes, learn to accept uncertainty, and cope with the things in life that can't be changed.

Working through anxiety in therapy involves developing and using coping tools such as mindfulness, grounding, deep breathing, meditation, creative self-expression, relaxation techniques, and emotional regulation skills. Therapy can help you create a healthy work life balance to buffer stress and understand what triggers your anxiety. Relief from anxiety will allow you to navigate life’s ups and downs without becoming overwhelmed. Working through anxiety leads to feeling calm, confident, centered, and present.

I take a practical approach to treating anxiety and stress. I help you identify the sources of anxiety if you do not already know them. I support you in learning skills to regulate your emotions and increase awareness of body sensations and experiences in order to help you be able to control and reduce feelings of anxiety. I also use a combination of exposure therapy, if appropriate, and adjustment to lifestyle to help you reduce or eliminate sources of anxiety or stress. I know that every experience of anxiety or stress is unique and I will work with you to develop a plan of support tailored to your needs. I will provide a safe environment for you to challenge and overcome your fear/stress

Anxiety falls along a continuum from acceptable to crippling, debilitating anxiety requiring professional intervention. The major forms that anxiety takes are: Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Panic Disorder, Phobic Disorders, Social Anxiety Disorders and Obsessive Compulsive Disorders (OCD). A variety of proven therapeutic interventions are well established now, eg., Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), Yoga, Tai Chi, Breathwork. By diving into therapy clients regain a sense of optimism, courage and confidence in relationships, workplace and career, driving, aging, life transitions and more.

My clients work with me to learn coping strategies and techniques to manage anxiety and stress in their daily lives. This might include relaxation techniques, deep breathing exercises, mindfulness, and progressive muscle relaxation. I utilize tapping to reduce anxiety, and use EMDR to work on the root causes of anxiety with my clients. The goal of anxiety therapy is to help clients learn to live in the present moment and to build emotional resilience and self-regulation skills. Mindfulness, CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), and ACT (Acceptance Commitment Therapy) are particularly useful tools for for working to improve anxiety.