Anxiety Therapy
Reclaim your calm and confidence
Are You Constantly Battling Racing Thoughts and Overwhelming Expectations?
Do you constantly second-guess yourself and your abilities? Do you feel worried about making mistakes or not meeting others' expectations? Are you frequently preoccupied with what people think of you? These are common signs of anxiety that goes beyond everyday stress.
You may find yourself lying awake at night with thoughts that won't quiet down, exhausted from trying to meet impossible standards you've set for yourself. Perhaps you're constantly concerned about others' opinions, or you feel responsible for managing everyone else's emotions while neglecting your own needs.
These experiences often accompany anxiety disorders characterized by perfectionism, over-explaining, poor boundaries, and low self-esteem. Your mind might be caught in an endless loop of "should haves" and worst-case scenarios. This constant state of alertness doesn't just affect your thoughts—it manifests physically through chronic headaches, digestive issues, or a perpetual feeling of being on edge.
For many people, anxiety's impact on relationships is particularly challenging. You might withdraw from social activities because interaction feels overwhelming. Perhaps you're noticing tension with your partner or children as your anxiety affects those relationships. The need to control your environment becomes compulsive, and when unpredictable situations arise, emotional dysregulation follows.
Women often feel this burden more acutely, with societal expectations to remain composed while managing careers, households, and family care. You might be trying to do it all—be the perfect professional, partner, mother, friend—while pressure continues to mount.
You’re Not Alone In Your Struggle With Anxiety
What you're experiencing isn't uncommon, nor is it a sign of weakness. Anxiety disorders affect approximately 40 million adults in the United States—nearly 20% of the population—making them the most common mental health concern in the country.
Many people believe their struggle is just "normal stress" or "part of life" until symptoms become overwhelming or they begin experiencing panic attacks. They've been conditioned to think that taking on too much and feeling overwhelmed is simply expected, especially for women who often shoulder disproportionate responsibilities. Society reinforces these beliefs, creating guilt around setting healthy boundaries and prioritizing self-care.
At the core of many anxiety patterns are early life experiences and attachment styles that shaped your beliefs about yourself and your worth. Many people with anxiety are unconsciously trying to prove they're "good enough" through perfectionism and people-pleasing. These patterns often emerge from childhood experiences where value was tied to performance or where emotional needs weren't consistently met.
While these patterns may have developed as protective mechanisms, they're no longer serving you well. The good news is that anxiety responds remarkably well to therapy. With the right approach, you can develop new patterns of thinking and relating that allow you to live with more ease and authenticity.
Ready to Take the First Step?
I understand that reaching out for help can feel vulnerable, especially when you’ve had anxiety for so long. That's why I offer a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation to answer your questions and help you decide if my approach to Anxiety treatment is right for you and if we’re a good fit!
During this brief call, you can share what you're experiencing and learn more about how we might work together. There's no pressure or obligation—just an opportunity to explore possibilities for healing in a low-stress environment.
You don't have to continue struggling alone with racing thoughts, perfectionism, and overwhelming worry. Contact me today to schedule your free consultation and take the first step toward a calmer, more balanced life.
Reclaim Your Calm and Confidence Through Specialized Anxiety Therapy
Anxiety treatment offers you a path to not just managing symptoms but transforming your relationship with anxiety. Using approaches like Brainspotting and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), we'll address both the conscious thoughts driving your anxiety and the deeper, unconscious patterns stored in your nervous system.
Our work begins with understanding your unique story. In our first session, I'll learn about your history to identify patterns contributing to your anxiety. Rather than just focusing on symptoms, we'll explore the underlying beliefs and felt sensations that drive your anxious responses. This dual approach addresses both the "what" and "why" of your experience, creating lasting change rather than temporary relief.
Brainspotting, a powerful therapeutic technique that was discovered through EMDR, allows us to access deeper brain regions where emotional experiences are stored. This approach is particularly effective because our bodies process felt sensations faster than thoughts. By using this approach, we can help you move out of automatic anxiety patterns and panic attacks, into greater awareness of your authentic needs and desires.
Alongside Brainspotting, we'll use CBT techniques to identify and restructure unhelpful thought patterns. You'll learn concrete strategies for emotional regulation and effective communication. I'll provide psychoeducation about developmental stages and attachment patterns, helping you understand the origins of your anxiety while giving you practical tools to respond differently.
A crucial part of our work will focus on boundary-setting and self-care practices. Many people with anxiety struggle to prioritize their own needs, leading to burnout and resentment. I'll help you develop skills to communicate your needs effectively and recognize when it's time to step back and care for yourself—without the guilt that often accompanies self-care.
What makes my approach effective is the combination of both cognitive therapy and somatic therapy. While many therapists focus primarily on thought patterns, I recognize that anxiety lives in the body as much as in the mind. My specialized training in Brainspotting, with additional focus on women's experiences with anxiety, brings a nuanced understanding of the unique social and cultural pressures that often contribute to anxiety in women's lives.
Clients who once felt controlled by their anxiety have learned to recognize triggers, implement effective coping strategies, and fundamentally shift their relationship with anxiety. Many report significant improvements within 8-12 sessions, noting better sleep, reduced physical symptoms, and an increased ability to set boundaries.
Unlike approaches that only teach coping skills without addressing root causes, my method helps you understand the "why" behind your anxiety while providing immediate relief strategies. My commitment is to empower you to eventually thrive without therapy by equipping you with the tools, awareness, and confidence to maintain your mental wellbeing independently.
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Anxiety Therapy Grand Rapids, MI:
4829 East Beltline NE, Suite #303,
Grand Rapids, MI 49525