Stress, PTSD and Anxiety Therapists in Connellys, ON.

Anxiety and stress often result from people feeling that they are out of control in their lives, they have too much to do and not enough time, or there are excessive demands being made on them. They often have a need to simplify and streamline their lives to make things more manageable. I will give you the tools to help you de-stress and regain a sense of inner balance.

Fear is a situational-based, positive emotion that prepares us for a sudden and unexpected external event. Since fear is such a common emotion, its presence can often go from being connected to a specific experience (a baby crying, a car horn blowing) to something omnipresent and an overwhelming sense of anxiousness. Anxiety can cause us to feel shame, guilt, and worry because we do not believe we can stand up to the concerns that have brought it into our lives. Psychotherapy is a safe place to explore the causes of shame, guilt, worry, and anxiety. If you are ready to unpack your worry bag, I am here to help! Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to see if we are a good fit.

Dealing with stress and anxiety can be a challenge for many and navigating GAD, SAD and OCD can feel like anxiety has the upper hand. There are many coping strategies available to help with anxiety. Research has shown that CBT can be as effective as medication (Source: APA Div. 12 (Society of Clinical Psychology). I use a blend of CBT and ACT to help with anxiety both of which are research-based and proven to be effective for many people.

Stress and anxiety when present within healthy limits can stimulate, motivate, challenge, warn and activate our bodies to react accordingly to the situation. When it's too much, too intense and for too long, stress and anxiety lead to poor functioning, impairment and exhaustion resulting in stress and anxiety overload, contributing heavily to triggering anxiety disorders. In my therapy, I use therapeutic approaches and techniques that help reduce stress and anxiety and enhance the quality of your life and build your emotional resilience. You develop skills to minimize distress and maximize efficacy in many areas of your living and live life in a happier and healthier manner

Anxiety and stress are responses to either internal or external forces in the client's life. Hearing the client's story is the first part of the process of therapy and can often be helpful in alleviating some of the symptoms of anxiety stress. One part of working clients who are experiencing anxiety and stress is to teach some coping skills which relate to their particular situation. Another part of therapy would be to learn relaxation techniques to help the client manage their anxiety on a regular basis. Some examples of relaxation techniques are; meditation, breathing exercises, visualizations, and learning how to listen to their inner voice for what they need. Art therapy is also used.

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.

Anxiety is the most common issue in mental health. Worrying has a protective value, usually to keep us and our loved ones safe, but when it goes above and beyond what it necessary for the situation, it becomes quite overwhelming. I will help by listening to your story and understanding your unique situation. I can help you learn better coping strategies to manage the thoughts, feelings, and reactions to stress.

In these difficult times, and before, anxiety and stress can sometimes sneak up on us until we are surprised to find that we are catching colds, experiencing muscle aches and pains, or even are having difficulty eating or sleeping regularly. I will help you get to the root of what ails you, whether it is past trauma, current life stressors, an impending life transition, or generalized anxiety. By helping you uncover your strengths and teaching you tools to manage your stress or anxiety, I can assist you in rewriting the story you tell yourself about your past and your future.

Welcome! I have worked with a number of clients who experience anxiety and stress. How I operate it working with you to find out the goals you have for your life and work on coping skills and healing from the anxiety and stress so you can live the life you dream of. The reality is, is everyone has stress and anxiety how we manage these two things is helps to make life more enjoyable.

Anxiety and stress affect us all to varying degrees. There are numerous physical and emotional symptoms that are associated with anxiety and stress such as an increased heart rate, sweating, rumination and worry, to name a few. Anxiety can feel consuming and can keep us from engaging fully in our everyday life. Therapy can help you work with your feelings of anxiety and stress so that you feel empowered. Please contact me to schedule a free 15-minute consultation to see if we are a good fit.

Depending on the source (if it can be identified) most anxiety can be effectively treated with various forms of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT). Behavioural experiments and exposures, combined with thought analysis and restructuring can bring about swift positive improvements. However, CBT for anxiety is hard work and involves willingness to experience discomfort as one learns to tolerate their fears and then experiences the powerful safety feedback which counters them. With practice, anxiety can be nearly completely extinguished. If panic is related to trauma, a longer and involved process may be needed using EMDR, imagery re-scripting or dialectical behavioural interventions.

Anxiety and being fearful are often confused. Fearfulness is often based on an external situation. Anxiety is more internal and focuses on “something bad” is going to happen. Treatment for anxiety requires a focus on reducing your bodies response to the “something bad” through using coping skills. In as much the physical response to anxiety is part of our genetic “survival tool kit” it is how our minds distort the reality that is debilitating. Learning skills, strategies and alternative ways to perceive the event all help. I would be delighted to discuss with you a treatment plan to assist you in managing your symptoms.

Anxiety and stress are symptoms of underlying repressed emotions; unresolved trauma; sadness; anger; grief etc. They can also be a normal response to living in a society that doesn't value or nurture connection. In my therapeutic approach, we will explore the underlying emotions behind your anxiety while also taking into consideration societal pressures that induce stress.