Depression and anxiety are among the mental health challenges of most concern around the world. Mindfulness training is a common approach used to help people to manage various aspects of depression and anxiety. According to Erford (2020: 96), “By nature, humans are self-aware and attentive. But people vary in these characteristics, and how they cultivate... Continue Reading →
Treating Social Anxiety Disorder
In a previous blog, I discussed the nature, prevalence, signs and complexities of social anxiety. I urged readers to seek help for the disorder as soon as possible to prevent future complications. In this visit, I will discuss recommended treatments for social anxiety. Since the prevenance of anxiety is so high in various aspects of... Continue Reading →
Anxiety Lie #3 “I am anxious.”
If I asked you to tell me about the weather where you lived, would you be able to describe it? Not just the weather today but generally, what is the weather like all year? Here in Illinois, this would be an impossible task. I could tell you it is 72 degrees and cloudy today, but... Continue Reading →
What Brings You to Therapy?
In my time as a counselor, I have found myself disliking the broad question of: “What brings you to therapy?’ I find this question sometimes creates a wave of nervousness or pressure for the client. While it is certainly important for both the therapist and client to ultimately collaborate on goals and seek direction, I... Continue Reading →
Anxiety: Lie #2 “There is something wrong with you!”
Anxiety can make you feel physically awful. We often feel a tightening in our chest, or maybe our hands get sweaty? Some people feel their stomachs start to rumble or toss and turn. Other times anxiety can squeeze our shoulders or feel like something is banging on our brains, and it feels like our head... Continue Reading →
Leaves On a Stream
We all tend to overthink situations from time to time. We can feel our anxiety start to rise in our bodies. Our heart rate goes up, our palms get sweaty, our neck starts to feel tense. Thoughts race through our mind faster than we can keep up with as our mind jumps from one idea... Continue Reading →
Anxiety is not Trustworthy!
Anxiety is something we all feel at one time or another. In fact, anxiety has a purpose. The purpose of anxiety is to keep us safe from harm. But anxiety can also get out of control when there is nothing around to harm us. When we feel anxiety at those times, we need to take... Continue Reading →
Press Pause on Negative Self-Talk
I looked in the mirror on Monday morning and said to myself, “Wow! You look awful!” I could see the puffy bags under my eyes, the fine lines around my eyes had turned into angry crow’s feet. My hair was frizzy and in need of a color treatment. I then went to my closet trying... Continue Reading →
All Vibes Welcome
Some people attempt to avoid discomfort or other uncomfortable feelings. They may avoid any negative experience, conversation, or encounter that could elicit pain. They might not even realize their avoidance comes from not wanting to feel uncomfortable. People may mask their feelings by saying things like, “Good vibes only!” or “There is always a silver... Continue Reading →
