Anxiety & Counseling For Anxiety
Having anxiety can be an incredibly difficult and overwhelming experience. When it comes to anxiety there can be worry, physical symptoms, and racing thoughts. All of these symptoms can take a significant toll on one’s quality of life.
It might feel easier to try to tough it out on your own, but you do not have to. There is hope and trained therapists available to help. You don’t have to live with anxiety that is taking over your life. Anxiety is a mental health condition that has many research supported treatments. You can learn tools to better manage your anxiety or reduce or even eliminate your anxiety. In this blog post, we will talk about counseling for anxiety. We will discuss various approaches and techniques that have been proven to be successful in helping people feel better.
Understanding Anxiety
Anxiety is a natural response to a threat or stress. It is actually there to help protect us and keep us safe. Anxiety can also be helpful. It can help drive and motivate us. For example, if we were not anxious at all about a presentation we might not prepare for it.
Almost everyone will experience anxiety at some point in their lives. For those that struggle with an anxiety disorder, anxiety can become excessive, persistent, and impact your quality of life. It is important to recognize the signs and symptoms of anxiety. Some of these symptoms can include worry, racing thoughts, mind going blank, restlessness, irritability, difficulty concentrating, muscle tension, and trouble sleeping.
Types of Therapy For Anxiety
Counseling for anxiety aims to identify the underlying triggers and causes of anxiety. With better understanding of what is causing anxiety we can better treat in. Counseling for anxiety is also about providing coping mechanisms and empowering clients to learn how to handle their anxiety is a proactive way.
Some types of therapy for anxiety include the following:
- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT is one of the most effective types of counseling for anxiety. It focuses on identifying and changing negative thoughts and behaviors that contribute to anxiety. In CBT clients understand the connection of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and how these contribute to anxiety. With CBT you work with your therapist to help challenge unhelpful thoughts and replace them with more realistic thoughts. When you change how you think you change how you feel and how you behave. CBT is an action oriented approach that will also teach you specific coping skills to mange anxiety in the moment.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): ACT is different than CBT in that the premise is that the struggle with thoughts worsens anxiety. With ACT your therapist will help you to not let your thoughts get in the way of your values (things that are most important to you in the world). With ACT it is about how to live a meaningful life is not controlled by anxiety. There are specific strategies used to help in this approach.
- Mindfulness-Based and Relaxation Approaches: both ACT and CBT can incorporate mindfulness based and relaxation focused approaches. These include things like deep breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, and specific relaxation skills. These skills help to develop present-moment awareness. They help clients to get out of the past and future and stay in the present.
- Exposure Based Therapy: This approach gradually exposes individuals to anxiety-provoking situations in a safe and supportive therapy environment. Exposure helps to face fears and learn that you can in fact cope with them. Exposure is many times incorporated into CBT approaches.
The Benefits of Counseling for Anxiety
Anxiety counseling not only helps reduce anxiety, but it also provides many benefits that go far beyond symptom relief. When you work with a therapist you have a non judgmental and safe space to explore your emotions, thoughts, and fears. Therapy for anxiety helps you to develop tools and gain self awareness as well as confidence. It also
helps you to manage stress, face difficult situations head on, reduce avoidance, and change negative thinking patterns.
At Best Within You Therapy & Wellness, we do not offer a cookie cutter approach. Our therapists work collaboratively with our clients to develop a plan that is best tailored to their individual needs and specific anxiety. We focus on helping you live your life at your best.
Summary
Anxiety counseling is a life changing process that empowers clients to feel better and feel more in control in their lives. Through various therapeutic approaches such as ACT, CBT, exposure therapy, and mindfulness and relaxation approaches clients can learn strategies to manage and better cope with their anxiety.
It is important to remember that anxiety therapy is not just a quick fix. Counseling is a process that requires commitment. What we can tell you is with your commitment, we are commitment to helping you improve your anxiety and overall well being. If you or someone you know is struggling with anxiety know that our team is here to help. At Best Within You Therapy & Wellness our Atlanta therapists are trained in providing counseling for anxiety You are welcome to reach out to schedule a complimentary phone consultation. We offer in person appointments in our Buckhead office and video sessions.