The well-meaning ‘friend’ in your head.
Anxiety is sort of like having a 'friend' in your mind offering super unhelpful feedback. Anxious thoughts can sound like, "You shouldn't do that because …" or "If this happens then ..." or "That's not a good idea because …" and the list of unhelpful internal dialogue goes on. Anxiety can creep in, hang around, or come on unexpectedly (frustratingly leading to more anxiety).
Anxiety can have physical consequences on your body. It can leave you tense, exhausted, nauseous, sweaty, faint, flushed, dizzy, achy, breathless, and in pain.
This well-meaning 'friend' is actually trying to take care of you and keep you safe (we’ll give them that). The problem is that this 'friend' has missing context. As your therapist, I will work with you to identify and challenge the unhelpful internal commentary. We will collaborate on building new and supportive thoughts that will increase your confidence and calm the anxious ‘friend’. Together, we will also work through relaxation techniques proven to reduce some of the harmful physical impacts of a chronically anxious mind.
Types of Anxiety I Treat
Anxiety shows up in many different forms—and I tailor therapy to fit the specific way it impacts your life. If you’re struggling with a particular type of anxiety, you may want to explore more about how I work with:
Panic Attacks: Sudden waves of fear, racing heart, and difficulty breathing that seem to come out of nowhere.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Repetitive, intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors that interfere with daily life.
Health Anxiety: Persistent worry about illness or physical symptoms, even after reassurance from doctors.
Social Anxiety: Intense fear of being judged, embarrassed, or rejected in social settings.
Specific Phobias: Deep fear of particular things like flying, needles, driving, vomiting or animals that disrupt your routine.
These pages offer more information on what therapy looks like for each concern and how I can support you in finding relief.