Anxiety Therapy

ARE YOU TIRED OF OVERTHINKING EVERYTHING?

Have you found that incessant, fearful thinking has infiltrated every aspect of your life? Is it increasingly difficult for you to concentrate and accomplish the tasks in front of you? Or are you the parent of a child who is struggling with anxiety?

You may find yourself constantly bombarded by racing thoughts and never-ending worry. Perhaps you can’t relax or even sleep peacefully because you can never seem to mute the ruminations in your head. No matter how hard you might try, there is always the fear in the back of your mind that you’ll never be successful or accomplish all the tasks on your to-do list.

It could be that symptoms of anxiety have become so bad that they have escalated into panic. In these moments, you may experience a racing heart, sweaty palms, and extreme fear or hypervigilance. Perhaps you find that you don’t feel safe very often.

Alternatively, you may be the parent of an anxious child. While adults often struggle with symptoms of panic and difficulty concentrating, anxiety tends to look a little different in younger populations. Perhaps your child becomes easily agitated or angry. Or maybe they frequently complain of tummy aches or other pains.

Regardless of what age you are, living with incessant fear and worry makes life feel chaotic and unmanageable. Yet with the right guidance through therapy, you can learn to understand and resolve symptoms of anxiety.

A NEED TO BE PERFECT CREATES ANXIOUS TENDENCIES

Anxiety is among the most prevalent mental health conditions across the globe. The National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH) estimates that a little less than one-third of Americans will suffer from an anxiety disorder in their lifetimes—and that is only accounting for the adult population.1 We know that symptoms of anxiety can certainly affect child, adolescent, and teenage populations as well.

Though there are many reasons why anxiety manifests—from genetic predisposition to unresolved trauma—we often invite stress and anxiety into our daily routine because we put immense pressure on ourselves to achieve in all aspects of life. There is a sense, especially in our community here in Utah, that we have to be a certain way in order to be accepted by ourselves and others. That foundational need to fit into an ideal mold is in fact the perfect breeding ground for anxiety, as it introduces the voice in our heads that says we aren’t doing things correctly.

Furthermore, in a family-oriented culture such as ours, there is added pressure to conform and demonstrate that we are raising our children the “right” way, even as they grow, individuate, and become more independent. This can become increasingly challenging in blended families or when our children or partners make lifestyle choices that differ from our expectations.

Such a degree of perfectionism affects not only us as individuals but also the people closest to us. If, for instance, our child is struggling with matters of their identity, sexuality, or faith, we may spiral into fear and worry that we have somehow done something wrong. Not to mention, that child may be grappling with symptoms of anxiety as they begin to assert themselves in ways that go against our prescribed notions of how they “should” behave. And because we tend to be so hard on ourselves, we may inadvertently model self-criticism—instead of self-acceptance—to our loved ones.

Yet, the cycle of anxiety can be broken, and seeking therapy is the first step in dismantling this pattern.

THERAPEUTIC TREATMENT CAN HELP YOU UNDERSTAND AND RESOLVE YOUR ANXIETY

Though friends, family, and other members of our community are invaluable supports, it can be difficult to become emotionally vulnerable and honest about our fears with them. Therapy not only gives you the chance to discuss how anxiety is affecting you on a day-to-day basis, but it also offers a professional perspective that can help you to locate the source of your worry.

Once matched with a clinician at Carbajal Counseling, you’ll be invited to an initial session that will cover such topics as your history, experience with therapeutic treatments, and daily symptoms of anxiety. As we get to know you better, we’ll develop an understanding of the biological, emotional, and/or environmental core of your anxiety.

From there, we will begin to address the root causes of your anxiety. Using behavioral methods—including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)—as well as body-based methods like mindfulness and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), we can begin to trace distorted thinking and behaviors back to their origins. And for children struggling with anxiety, we will incorporate play therapy into sessions. Through these methods, you will learn valuable coping techniques that can help you manage your anxiety before it becomes acute and harmful.

The truth is that all of us maintain some degree of anxiety—and that is not a bad thing! The function of anxiety is to keep us alert and protect us from threats. Excessive anxiety, however, can be highly disruptive and difficult to overcome. Yet at Carbajal Counseling, we have witnessed countless clients benefit from anxiety treatment, leading them to a life that feels more joyful, manageable, and free of worry. Your counselor can help you to use anxiety for your benefit instead of letting it direct you.

It’s possible to center yourself and regain a sense of control in your life, regardless of how long your anxiety has been in the driver’s seat. Therapeutic treatment can help you to develop the coping strategies and insight to alleviate symptoms and lessen the effect of anxiety in your life.

Maybe you’re ready to see a counselor for your anxiety, but you still have some questions…

I have a great life and everything I need—my anxiety doesn’t warrant counseling.

If anxiety is compromising your quality of life—regardless of how many support systems you have in place—then you deserve to feel better. A counselor can help you to understand where your anxiety comes from and provide you with lifelong skills for managing its impact on you. There is no reason to suffer in silence; therapy can be a great resource for you.

I don’t understand how play therapy will help with my child’s anxiety.

Because children express themselves primarily through play, play therapy is a useful tool in helping children to understand, process, and verbalize their emotions. Your child’s therapist will incorporate play therapy into their anxiety treatment in a way that will not only help them to understand your child’s fears but will also give them an opportunity to model healthy coping behaviors for your child.

This evidence-based approach has been highly successful at targeting mental health issues in younger populations. And we have seen our child clients who struggle with anxiety make great strides in counseling using this modality.

Why can’t I just take medication for my anxiety?

Though medication can be a quick fix for alleviating symptoms of anxiety, it doesn’t do anything to treat the core issue of the problem. A counselor, on the other hand, can give you tangible, lasting skills that will promote positive change in your life so that anxiety doesn’t create so many setbacks. Furthermore, we know from research that psychotherapy is more effective than medication when it comes to treatment for anxiety.2

DON’T LET YOUR LIFE REVOLVE AROUND WORRY ANY LONGER

If you’re ready to face your life with confidence instead of fear, anxiety treatment at Carbajal Counseling can set you on the path to relief. To learn more about how we can help, check out our therapist bios or call (801) 525-4645 to schedule an appointment today.

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