While we all experience some degree of worry, anxiety is often persistent and can impact the way we live: how we think, show emotions, feel in our bodies, and relate to others. The scattered thoughts, the racing heart, the fears of something going wrong; they can be enough to make us want to crawl in a hole and hide. Sadly, while we might briefly feel safe “hiding” from things that make us feel anxious, avoidance often only serves to make our fears stronger in the long run, and to leave us having missed out on the people and experiences that are meaningful to us.

The good news is that anxiety is common- in other words, you’re not alone!- and is highly treatable. In counseling to address anxiety, we will work to understand the core thoughts and beliefs that are driving your anxiety. Often, these are fears that may have roots in past not-so-great experiences, or in messages you’ve received about yourself, others, or the world. We’ll explore whether those fears are keeping you safe, or actually just keeping you stuck, and whether there might be another way to look at things. We’ll talk about how anxiety shows up in your mind and body- it can get pretty creative sometimes!- and empower you with a better understanding of the incredible mechanism that is your nervous system. We’ll also collaborate to identify and expand your resources for coping with anxiety. Many of us have more coping skills available to us than we realize, and an open and willing mindset can work wonders in building an effective “tool box” for managing anxiety when it arises.

While it may feel scary to address your anxiety, in choosing to do so you are already taking an important step in reducing its power over you. With time and commitment, many clients find that counseling can help them feel more confident, resilient, and grounded, and that hiding in that hole isn’t quite so necessary anymore.

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