Therapy for Anxiety and Stress in Broomfield and Boulder
Are You Overwhelmed By Fear and Worry About the Future?
- Do your thoughts spin out of control, making it difficult to focus or relax?
- Are you worried about being judged, or that you're not as capable as others?
- Is self-doubt keeping you from being able to build meaningful relationships?
- When you start to feel bad, do you wonder if you're losing control or going crazy?
- Do you long to feel calm, at peace, and free from negative thinking?
What Is Anxiety?
Anxiety is part of the body’s natural survival strategy. It helps you be more aware of what’s going on around you, and can help you deal with a threat through the “fight or flight” response. Sometimes that response can become overactive, leaving you feeling overwhelmed emotionally and/or physically.
Chronic stress and anxiety have become a significant issue in our society, and anxiety is one of the leading reasons that people seek counseling. No two people experience anxiety in exactly the same way, because there are many possible symptoms. Because of this, it is important to find the right kind of support for your situation and needs.
Some of the common psychological symptoms of anxiety are:
- Worrying a lot, and getting caught in distressing thought "loops."
- Low self-confidence.
- Fear of not fitting in.
- An excessive need for approval and reassurance from others.
- Engaging in perfectionism.
- Restlessness or irritability.
Some of the common physical symptoms of anxiety are:
- Trembling, shaking, and/or sweating.
- Trouble falling or staying asleep.
- Racing or pounding heartbeat.
- Shortness of breath.
- Pain and discomfort (headaches, fatigue, muscle aches, upset stomach).
Take Control Of Your Thoughts and Feel More Calm and At Ease
The mind-body connection is very powerful. The things you think and say to yourself have a direct effect on how you feel and act. When anxiety (negative thinking) occurs too often or is too intense, it can begin to impact your work, your relationships, and your sense of self.
Living this way can be very draining and frustrating. If left untreated, anxiety can lead to feeling isolated and depressed.
The good news is that it is possible to feel more confident, in control, and happy, and healthy. Just as negative thinking can make you feel worse, learning to change your thoughts and the ways you perceive life can help you feel better.
Anxiety Therapy
Often, there are underlying issues contributing to your anxiety. Understanding your inner experience is an important step toward finding relief. I provide a safe, supportive space where you can explore your experience of anxiety and process looping thoughts and emotions.
Anxiety therapy combines education with specific skills and tools that you can start to use in your life right away. Many of these skills and tools get better with practice, and they will be able to serve you long after therapy is over. My approach is a gentle yet powerful way to help you do this inner healing. I use EMDR, IFS (“parts work”), mindfulness, and CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), all of which have been shown to be effective anxiety treatments.
You can learn to recognize and work with your thoughts and emotions more productively, replacing ineffective coping strategies with healthier tools. By breaking the cycle of negative thinking and worry, you can take greater control over your life and get relief from anxiety.
Some of the common results of anxiety therapy are:
- Having a more positive outlook on yourself and your life.
- Better sleep, and less pain and discomfort.
- Increased skill in handling difficult emotions.
- Freedom from negative thinking that gets stuck in loops.
- Using inner resources so you can better handle difficult experiences in the future.
“Neuroscience research shows that the only way we can change the way we feel is by becoming aware of our inner experience and learning to befriend what is going on inside ourselves.” – Dr. Bessel van der Kolk
Take the first step...
Schedule a free 30-minute consultation. Let's see if we're a good fit!