Stress, PTSD and Anxiety Therapists in Cedar Mill, OR.

Life can be stressful, and at times we all experience anxiety. If stress and anxiety are getting in the way of living life to its fullest and hampering your every day functioning, it’s time to seek help. You might even be using unhealthy coping methods like drugs, alcohol, overeating, etc. Allow me to help you discover the root cause and learn healthy coping skills. There is hope for a brighter and happier tomorrow!

Clients who I am privileged to work with, will often express a desire to talk about the stresses they are experiencing in their life. These stresses often are accompanied by anxiety. Today's world is, no doubt, a difficult place to navigate. Stress reduction, for many people, is an imbalance between what they are willing to accept and what they believe can or needs to be changed. I help them identify what part of their worries are about the past and which are about the future. We work together to establish a mindfulness approach to stress reduction which emphasizes the skill sets of consciously being in the present moment, through breathing and awareness of thought/body connection.

Everyone experiences anxiety at some point, but for some the anxiety is so frequent or intense that it interferes with their lives or even triggers panic attacks. I use Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to help my clients get a sense of control over their own anxiety. We collaborate to learn skills to reduce the frequency or intensity of the anxious feelings, to tolerate the anxiety when it does occur so they can still function through it, and to practice habits that reduce stress and improve general mental health.

Stress is part of this life. When it becomes overwhelming or spins into anxiety we need to find the calm in the storm. How we think, act and relate recursively loop to amp it up or tone it down. Experiencing and practicing ways to soothe ourselves, identify triggers and risk factors can help. Connecting with supportive people who help us to see more of the details in the whole story can bring increased peace.

Do you find yourself fearful when tackling a new task? Are you burnt-out because the stress and pressure on you just seems too much? Do you find yourself saying "yes" when you want to say "no"? I will work with you to examine the roots of these stressful patterns and to find previously discounted or undiscovered strengths you possess. I will help you form stronger and more resilient boundaries so that you will experience a sense of choice and autonomy in dealing with others. I will help you transform anxiety to excitement using powerful tools such as EMDR and the Emotional Freedom Technique, so that you can lead a more harmonious, contented life.

Just like depression, anxiety is also an emotional symptom. It is present to give you feedback that your attention is needed. Anxiety is somewhat similar but also different than stress. Anxiety often arises from a place of fear, stress sometimes expresses itself as a symptom of anxiety. It can be very confusing where these feelings come from, or you might have a very good idea where it comes from but struggle to know what to do with it all. I often say that anxiety is the sibling of depression. They are interrelated. You can become depressed about how anxious you are and then become anxious that you are still depressed! Don't fear or fret, there are ways to work with this paradox.

While most treatment approaches for anxiety and stress are effective on the surface, they don’t treat the real problem. Mantras, deep breathing, and rational dialogues about your fear being irrational rarely work---for most people don’t believe it or you! Imagine if you can trick the brain into changing without you telling your conscious mind that you are changing it? Problem with anxiety and stress is that the brain in this state knows you want to change it and it resists. Contact Kevin@kevinfleminphd.com for the ultimate stress and anxiety solution that will literally change your brain's autonomic nervous system patterns while you sit on your butt. 877-606-6161.

Maybe you've had to work extra hard at managing your thoughts and feelings, and this leads to those chiding voices in your head repeating that you're not "good enough." When you were younger you were full of ideas and plans, but never quite felt like you fit in. You trudged on toward your goals, sometimes feeling lonely and unsure of yourself, and kept going anyway because you're resilient and perhaps a little stubborn. When the anxiety stealthily crept in and then grew into overwhelming fear, or the mood shifts made your daily schedule chaos at best, your goals were shifted from enjoying a career and family to figuring out how to survive.

The pace of modern life is stressful. Furthermore, the expectations placed upon individuals to "be all they can be" are many times unrealistic and place unnecessary stress on the individual. Further adding to anxiety and stress is the isolation of many; indeed, many lack the interpersonal connections necessary in order to have the psychological support necessary when met with the adversities of life. Counseling offers clients a place to come and receive the interpersonal support that they need to overcome demanding life circumstances, while also addressing the thoughts and cultural expectations that may also be contributing to a client's anxiety and stress.

Is mindfulness and deep breathing not really making an impact on your stress? You're not alone! Rather than focusing on the symptoms of anxiety and stress, I've found that it's more effective to look for the root cause. What might your anxiety be trying to tell you? Is it trying to protect you from something? Even if there's no immediate danger, often our bodies are caught in protection mode. If you'd like to learn more, please reach out!

Anxiety is a future-orientated mood state. Many times we worry needlessly about and event or activity that will happen down the road. A little anxiety can bolster performance but when it becomes overwhelming and exhausting it impacts every aspect of our lives. Many of my clients find the breathing, mindfulness, and guided imagery exercise taught in session helpful. It allows them to quiet non-productive thoughts and focus on what is in their control. It empowers them to review, think, and act. You don’t have to live with anxiety, stress, or panic. Call, text, or email me today!