Stress, PTSD and Anxiety Therapists in Sycamore, IL.

Worry is a normal reaction to everyday stress and traumatic life events. Some ways of coping will reduce your discomfort. However, you may be one of the millions who experience anxiety to such a degree that it impairs your functioning at home, work or school. Left unchecked, anxiety will affect your overall quality of life. CBT, Mindfulness, and Exposure Therapy are proven methods for dealing social or performance anxiety, nightmares and sleep fears, intrusive negative thoughts, or OCD. Kari can assist you, your child or adolescent, in controlling anxiety and achieving relief from the mental and physical symptoms that can be debilitating.

At times, we all think negatively; however, we are empowered because we can change the way we think in order to feel less anxiety and stress. In order to pursue optimal psychological health, one way to start is to begin to monitor our thinking regularly. The next step is to examine or question our thoughts and ask ourselves things like: Are our thoughts in proportion to what has happened? Is there any evidence that our beliefs are true? Cognitive behavioral therapy is an effective treatment approach for anxiety and stress especially if part of a comprehensive treatment plan.

Are you feeling overwhelmed by life’s demands? Does your body feel tense and stressed out? Is your heart racing quickly, are you unable to breath? Are you worried that you will never feel safe or calm again? Stress and anxiety present themselves differently to each person. We will help you understand your stress or anxiety, and determine the best course of action that will help you develop skills to manage both the physical and emotional symptoms of stress or anxiety. We not only help you calm yourself through cognitive behavioral approaches but also through our partnership with Nutritionists we can help assess your internal endocrine system and provide support through mediherbs.

Anxiety and stress can keep you locked up from living your life fully. Often anxiety can be biochemical in nature or can result from ongoing stress, lack of balance or unresolved issues. Christians can struggle with these issues and often feel quite guilty in knowing that they shouldn't worry or have fear. In therapy we will carefully assess these issues in a loving, grace based manner so that you can be free from debilitating anxiety and stress.

I specialize in the treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (Worry), Panic Disorder with or without Agoraphobia, Health Anxiety Disorder, Specific Phobias, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). I would describe my therapeutic approach to be cognitive behavioral (CBT), with an emphasis on the behavioral. I also like to integrate other third wave mindfulness-based CBT approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy when indicated.

Anxiety can go by many names - fear, shyness, worry, etc. It can be a functional part of life when it is managed, but when it is not, it can be detrimental to your sense of security. We explore what may be feeding you anxiety and try to help you break unhealthy associations. In doing so, we promote self-confidence, self-compassion, and resilience. Oftentimes and over time, it is a surprise to see how much you have overcome.

My approach to anxiety and stress counseling focuses on providing a safe and empathetic environment where clients can explore their experiences and identify underlying patterns. I utilize a blend of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness techniques to help clients gain practical tools for managing anxious thoughts and overwhelming stress. By fostering self-awareness and developing effective coping strategies, clients learn to respond to challenges with resilience and calm. My goal is to empower clients to build confidence, improve daily functioning, and enhance overall well-being through personalized and evidence-based treatment.

Anxiety, worries, fears and stress are actually common experiences in life, but I will teach you ways to feel more competent and confident in dealing with them. Then when you are beginning to fear or worry, you will quickly know what to do to take care of yourself and either prevent or overcome any potential negative effects these feelings could pose in your life and work.

In my psychotherapy practice, I offer a compassionate and supportive environment for addressing anxiety and stress. My approach combines cognitive-behavioral techniques, mindfulness, and personalized strategies to help patients manage symptoms effectively. Through our work together, patients gain tools to reduce anxiety, enhance coping skills, and improve overall well-being. The benefits of my anxiety and stress treatment include increased resilience, better emotional regulation, and a more balanced, fulfilling life.