Stress, PTSD and Anxiety Therapists in Villa Park, CA.

Stress and anxiety can be extremely uncomfortable but at the same time these are actually areas that therapy is the most able to help relieve. An important step is to help my clients learn how to transition the nervous system out of the fight/flight/freeze response into a state of relaxation. That alarm state is good for helping the individual respond to an emergency but it greatly reduces flexibility. Once out the reactive sympathetic nervous system state my clients can then find new ways of thinking and responding. In order to help them to get out of the alarm mode, I teach a variety of skills both directly and indirectly.

Stress is a part of our everyday life, so much that living a life without stress seems surreal. Anxiety can be a result of the day to day stresses that are related to personal life, work life, and school life to name a few. A minimal amount of anxiety and stress in specific situations can be the motivation needed to complete tasks, power through exams and overcome the impossible. Learn how to calm and relax your mind by using visual techniques such as creating a safe place you can visit during times of intense stress and discover healthy and effective ways in which you can help relieve your mind and body of undesired anxiety and stress.

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

Does the future scare you? Is your current life situation causing you stress? This is not uncommon and happens to most people. We create a custom made system that fits your life to bring the greatest results. We can help by discovering your temperament and then finding healthy ways to deal with them. Call us so we can talk more about your anxiety or stress.

In this fast-paced world of many challenges and pressure to keep up, stay involved and be successful, we often find ourselves worried that our "best" is simply not good enough. Stress and axiety are common reasons many seek counseling and I believe this is the beginning of the solution. Many do not realize they are contributors to their own distress by setting unreasonably high standards and expectations for themselves. Still, others contend with life's pressures and demands which are placed on them by other circumstanes. PTSD is a devastating disorder many face in the wake of war, poverty and the breakdown of their support systems. I am passionate about finding solutions together.

Anxiety is a necessary message that you need to pay attention to something that is at dis-ease in the body. My focus, using Burns techniques, is to help the individual find what they need to hear from the anxiety/stress while giving them very specific tools to distract the unnecessary messages. I show them body relaxation techniques as well as breathing exercises to lessen their tension and stress.

If you're struggling with anxious thoughts, you may find it hard to focus. The fight or flight alarm is going off in your brain, constantly sending you messages starting with "what if...." If worrying is keeping you trapped in a hamster wheel, tired, but unable to rest, you may find yourself turning to addictive substances or behaviours to cope. As an addiction counsellor, I help clients cope with the anxious thoughts keeping them trapped in addictive behaviours. By uncovering these underlying thoughts, I help you develop coping skills so you can gain a sense of focus, clarity, confidence, and freedom from constantly overthinking. Send me a message and I'll guide you through the next steps.

Life can be overwhelming at times resulting in increased anxiety and stress. If you are experiencing difficulty sleeping, worrying constantly, and increased irritability, you can benefit from additional support. Talking about issues you are dealing with may be hard, but avoiding issues can be even more devastating. Lack of sleep and fearful thoughts often do not go away by themselves. Learning new techniques on how to cope with stress and anxiety can improve your relationships, your outlook on life, and your overall health and well being. Reaching out for help is not a weakness, it shows strength and willingness to learn skills to improve your life.

Everyone feels anxiety at some point in their lives but when it starts to interfere with your life, counseling can help. Although anxiety can feel debilitating, it is treatable. People with anxiety don’t always share the same symptoms, they vary from person to person. Therapy will help you to reclaim your life and function in a chronically stressful world.