Therapy for Anxiety

Anxiety runs rampant inside.

On the outside, Callie* appears to be “put together.” Most people at work love her. She’s the go-to person for any unique project. She always says yes and wants to make others happy.

Callie is responsible for keeping her family operating and carrying the mental load, ensuring her partner and children have everything they need.

On the inside, Callie is exhausted. She’s a mess as she continually carries her stress in her shoulders, back, and neck. That burden makes her body feel tight, causing knots in her stomach, making her shoulders hard like rocks, and causing headaches from all the pressure.

Callie’s mind runs a million miles a minute with constant thoughts of worry. Did she do enough for her kids? Did she remember to email her boss the edits for the project? Did she make the doctor’s appointments? When is she responsible for bringing snacks to the soccer practice?

There’s never a moment to stop and rest.

Even when Callie does fall on the couch from exhaustion, the guilt and anxiety quickly creep in, making her lift herself from the couch to do the dishes. There’s always something else to do.

She can’t keep this up. Being everything to everyone is making her lose touch with who she is.

At this point, Callie can’t even name what she needs. She feels like she will explode if one more person asks something of her.

All the stress is beginning to make Callie afraid that she might be having a mental breakdown. She desperately wants to be more present with her kids, but anxiety has taken over.

Gain control of your emotions.

Callie was at her limit and came to therapy. Feeling nervous, she spoke fast about all her struggles with her life, job, kids, and partner, with her mouth trying to keep up with speedy thoughts.

I gently stepped in during our therapy meeting and said, “Callie, I can hear how much you are managing. I wonder if you are anxious because I want to ensure I understand everything about you so I can help.” 

There was a deep sigh of relief as Callie felt seen and grateful for me noticing the anxiety spinning inside her. She took a deep breath and said, “Yeah. I’m so anxious and want help.” As I helped guide the session, Callie gained clarity about her goals while I ensured we stayed on the same page about her needs.

From there, things became different from what you see on TV. It’s not a venting session or telling me all the backstory of what happened to you. No – we slow it way down. I guide you in the process of externalizing anxiety to understand more clearly what it is doing for you. Your role is to share what is happening for you right now, right at this moment.

We connect thoughts, feelings, and body sensations that go together while distinguishing how different they are from other feelings you have. We target anxiety to clarify what you need to feel calmer. Then, we work to meet those needs.

Untangling anxiety leads to increased connection.

Callie discovered that anxiety is a part of her, not all of her. Anxiety has been working hard to keep her from feeling as though she has failed and is letting down those she loves. She now connects to the anxious part of herself with compassion, as she recognizes that anxiety has always been trying to keep her connected and loved. That’s why anxiety always said yes to others.

As Callie sends compassion to her anxious part, the anxiety calms, and she feels reprieve. This changes everything in Callie’s relationships. She can now feel more connected and present with her kids. Her mind slows a bit. She learns to give herself kindness when her anxious part gets loud again – she is taking care of her own needs in real time.

In therapy, Callie explored deeper, finding other parts of her that were being protected by the anxiety, and learned to care for and love those parts of her, too.

In the end, Callie feels connected to herself, capable of noticing and meeting her needs (or asking for them to be met). She is more patient with her kids and more present for their feelings. In her relationship with her partner, she is beginning to feel more connected, which is mutual. Her partner finds they enjoy taking care of Callie now and then.

Anxiety no longer runs the show.

Callie gained control and untangled her anxiety, so it ceased to control her life. She started meeting her needs, making her feel more connected with herself and others.

If therapy can help Callie overcome anxiety’s hold, therapy can help you, too.

Are you ready to change your life? If the answer is yes, I can help you get to the bottom of your anxiety and learn ways to overcome its control.

Get your questions answered today by scheduling a free 20-minute phone or video consultation.

*Name has been altered to maintain client confidentiality.