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Anxiety Treatment
Have Anxiety And Stress Changed The Way You Live?
Are you pursued by a deep sense of fear and dread that robs you of your ability to feel safe and secure? Do strange or negative thoughts pop into your head all the time, convincing you that something awful is going to happen at any moment? Have panic attacks—or even the fear of having one—left you unable to function or engage with the world in the way you want to?
Perhaps you’re so preoccupied and stressed out that you’re having trouble sleeping well, eating properly, or even leaving the house. Or maybe you feel like your sense of pleasure and adventure has been stolen and replaced with worry and fear, so you’re gradually withdrawing from life in general.
The symptoms of anxiety can manifest in vastly different ways for everyone. For instance, perhaps you’re having difficulty managing stress, so you erupt or lash out at others, inevitably straining your relationships. Or maybe the daily pressure to control your thoughts, emotions, and environment is evolving into compulsive behaviors, like nail-biting or excessive hand-washing. And if you’ve been dealing with anxiety for a while, you’ve likely withdrawn from social situations and activities you once enjoyed because you never quite feel safe anywhere anymore.
We know that, right now, you are in a lot of pain, and getting to a place where you feel “normal like everyone else” seems like a pipedream. But there is a way. At Peninsula Child and Family Services, you can learn concrete skills and develop valuable insight for managing and potentially overcoming anxiety for good.
Anxiety Is An Alarmingly Common Mental Health Concern
Anxiety can be a natural and powerful ally in our collective and individual fight for survival. However, problems arise when the brain loses its ability to distinguish real threats from false alarms. The mind gets stuck in overdrive, perceiving danger where there is none. Over time, the combined fear, uncertainty, and worry, can erode a person’s entire life.
According to one study, over 18 percent of US adults or roughly 40 million people suffer from some form of anxiety every year.* And although biological factors can certainly play a part, there are often many underlying causes of and contributors to anxiety-related issues.
For instance, major world events and local issues—such as COVID-19, social unrest, and toxic politics—can all increase stress and lay the groundwork for anxiety. Trauma or adverse childhood experiences, like abuse, neglect, or bullying, can give rise to a host of fears and doubt that become embedded in the very way you think and behave. Our social media and image-obsessed society encourages unhealthy competition for popularity and success that makes individuals question their worth. And just the stress alone of dealing with work, raising a family, and taking care of other responsibilities can build up over time, eventually giving way to anxiety.
Unfortunately, anxiety fundamentally changes how you reason and perceive things, so without the proper resources and education, it can be difficult to manage or overcome anxiety alone. What’s worse is that many people never seek help because they were either taught somewhere along the way to “suck it up and deal with it” or conditioned to think that reaching out for help is a sign of weakness. But neither of those two ideas rings true.
Seeking the help of an anxiety counselor is an empowering experience that demonstrates both internal strength and wisdom on your part, which we can use to facilitate the healing process. Together, we can work to unmask your anxiety, heal old wounds, and take control of the days moving forward.
Anxiety Treatment Can Improve The Way You Think And Feel
Therapy gives you a safe, non-judgmental space in which to be fully authentic and transparent about difficult—possibly sensitive—experiences with anxiety. Using evidence-based, research-driven interventions we can help you change the way you feel and how your brain responds to stressful stimuli. Therapy helps identify the core issue underlying your anxiety symptoms, allowing you to overcome fears and develop healthier, conscious ways of responding to triggers.
Talking about anxiety or adverse experiences can sometimes be difficult, so we want you to know that everything we discuss is voluntary and the pace at which we proceed is completely up to you. Ultimately, we want to give you a safe space where you can examine anxious thoughts in a more logical, neutral process independent of emotions.
We’ll start by getting to know you a little better, exploring your situation, the symptoms you are experiencing, and how that’s ultimately impacting your life. Gradually, we’ll identify any negative core beliefs that you adhere to with the intent of challenging and replacing those perspectives with something more accurate. And through education and self-awareness skills, you’ll be able to see the progress you are making as you learn to overcome fears and other obstacles.
We offer a solution-focused, problem-oriented approach to treating anxiety that is tailored to each individual’s needs. Two of the primary, research-driven interventions we use are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure Response Prevention (ERP). CBT works on the premise that thinking, feeling, and behaving are all intrinsically linked. And if you change or improve one part of that equation (for instance, by challenging negative thought patterns) the rest of the system will respond in kind. Alternatively, ERP is a powerful tool that allows you to confront and gradually overcome fears, enabling your brain and body to respond to triggers without being emotionally overwhelmed.
Additionally, we’ll show you mindfulness strategies, breathing techniques, and muscle relaxation exercises to help you stay grounded. And we’ll be there to cheer you on as you take steps forward and learn to address challenges differently.
Over the years, we have helped countless individuals reclaim their lives from fear and doubt. From low-grade stress and anxiety to debilitating panic attacks and phobias, we have seen it all. What’s more, we’ve witnessed our methods improve lives time and time again—and we have the numbers to prove it. Whatever you are going through, no matter how severe, you can enjoy a better quality of life. With a little work, we are confident that you can come to a place of greater peace, security, and fulfillment.
Perhaps you are considering anxiety treatment but still have some concerns…
Photo by: Justin Katigbak with Disabled And Here
Can counseling really help me overcome anxiety?
What you are going through—especially if you have been suffering for a long time—is a heavy load, so it may take a little time to ease that burden fully. But rest assured, you are in the right place. Our approach to healing isn’t merely about dealing with the symptoms of anxiety, but rather getting to the core of what is behind your pain and healing that deeper injury. Over time, you can learn concrete skills, gain deeper self-awareness, and fundamentally change how you think, feel, and engage with life.
I’m worried about what my family will think about me.
The fact that you are reaching out shows a level of self-love and wisdom that should be commended, certainly not condemned. People who have never been to counseling for anxiety naturally have some misconceptions about what it is or why it’s even important. But none of that matters because therapy is about you! The perceptions of family, friends, or co-workers (should you decide to disclose your situation) has no bearing on your right to work on yourself. You deserve to be happy and live the life you were meant to.
I am concerned about scheduling difficulties.
We understand that juggling a job, a relationship, kids, and everything else is hard enough without trying to carve out an hour each week for anxiety treatment. Fortunately, most of our clinicians are fairly flexible; some offering weekend and/or afternoon hours to accommodate the needs of our clients. Whatever your situation or limitations are, we can work together to find a mutually agreeable time to meet and begin the healing process.
Let Us Help You Change The Way You See The World
If you are tired of letting anxiety and stress dictate how you live, therapy with Peninsula Child and Family Services can empower you to improve your life. Please call us at (757) 977-0889 and ask for a free, 10-minute consultation. You can also email us at SamanthaOsit@PeninsulaChildandFamily.com or visit our office in Hampton, Virginia.