Anxiety Therapy
IN LAWRENCE, KS
YOU’RE NOT THE ONLY ONE ANXIETY IS NORMAL
Gaining a better understanding of how anxiety shows up in your life and the purpose it serves can be a first step towards living a more effective life. Anxiety has been an adaptive response for years, serving to protect humans from danger. It brings awareness to changes that are necessary to increase our survival and is something we all experience.
Sadly, our nervous system has not kept up with the pace of the lives we find ourselves living today. Because of our hurried lifestyle, we may overlook facts or misinterpret experience, causing ourselves to perceive a threat when the threat has actually come from a misperception created by our own interpretation of an event.
As we experience different situations, we all find ourselves in a state of worry at some point. Maybe it’s about the schools or job you will apply for, a difficult conversation you need to have with someone you care about or making that first big purchase. Whatever the situation, we can learn to differentiate when anxiety is showing up to be helpful, and when it may be showing up in an unhelpful manner.
You can live with anxiety.
In a world with self-help and internet suggestions, we are given many tools to try and get rid of anxiety. However, I believe spending the energy to try and get rid of anxiety is counterproductive. Have you ever been in a situation that was causing you some form of distress, and rather than trying to control the situation (maybe a partner or young children) you’d rather choose to focus on the things that were within your control or that would make more of a meaningful impact? As the great John Mcarthy sang years ago “let it be.” Together, we will learn to “let it be” by working to make room for your anxiety, learn how to notice and evaluate it when it shows up, and how to respond to what the anxiety is telling you, so that energy spent can feel productive, meaningful, and lead to longer freedom.
I specialize in addressing anxiety through the framework of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). We begin with a comprehensive exploration of the history of your anxiety, delving into the various strategies you've employed in attempts to control, manage, or eliminate it. Anxiety often thrives on our efforts to avoid unwanted emotions, thoughts, and physical sensations. Through open dialogue, we unravel a web of avoidance mechanisms that may have unintentionally contributed to the persistence of your anxiety. It is a natural inclination to seek relief from such distress, but it's crucial to evaluate the impact of these endeavors on different facets of your life.
Together, we explore whether these coping mechanisms have provided relief or inadvertently intensified your suffering in other areas. Acknowledging the unintended consequences of these strategies is a pivotal step toward understanding the complexity of anxiety and its relationship with attempts at control. Recognizing that our attempts to manage anxiety may paradoxically worsen the situation is a crucial turning point. It's an acknowledgment that, with compassionate self-reflection, we can gain insights into the counterproductive nature of certain coping mechanisms. This realization serves as a foundation for cultivating acceptance—a cornerstone of ACT.
The next phase of treatment involves embracing things as they are, without judgment, and learning to respond to them with greater understanding. My goal for you is to shift your focus from the relentless pursuit of eliminating anxiety to redirecting your energy and attention toward the aspects of life that hold the most significance for you. Building psychological flexibility becomes a key objective in our time together. By enhancing your ability to adapt to various emotional states and life circumstances, we pave the way for a more resilient and fulfilling existence. Mindful action and alignment with your core values are essential components of this process. As we work together to increase your psychological flexibility, encourage mindful behavior, and align your actions with your values, the potential for a higher quality of life expands. The journey towards a more open, accepting, and values-driven existence is transformative, and my commitment is to guide you through this evolution, empowering you to thrive in the face of anxiety.
I’M CONSIDERING THIS, BUT I’M STILL NOT CONVINCED IT WILL HELP.
Entering anxiety therapy can be a daunting prospect for many individuals, often accompanied by a trio of common concerns:
If I start therapy for this, won't it just mean that I’m not strong enough?
It’s completely normal to have concerns about stigma, and it's essential to recognize that seeking therapy is a courageous step towards self-care, not a sign of weakness. Therapy offers a safe space that provides understanding instead of judgment. It’s an opportunity for you to learn about yourself and grow, which many people find empowering.
Finances are already tight, and I don’t know if I can afford it.
The financial aspect of therapy can be a significant concern. As you begin to consider seeking help, it’s important to explore your options, such as insurance benefits, sliding-fee scales, and other mental health resources in the local community. I am in-network with several insurance panels to provide accessibility to more people.
I’ve heard that therapy isn’t even that efficient.
It’s completely normal to be skeptical about something that may be new or maybe have had a negative experience with somewhere in the past. Therapy is unique to everyone, and my goal as a therapist is to help identify and achieve the goals you have. There is no one-size-fits-all for therapy, and I am more than comfortable adjusting treatment to meet the needs of the individual. Utilizing treatment approaches that have been researched and proven to be effective helps increase the efficiency of your treatment, although there is no guarantee.
Take the first step to a life free from anxiety. Schedule your complimentary 15-minute telephone consultation by calling (913) 662-3627 or schedule to explore how treatment could work for you. This risk-free conversation is an opportunity to discuss your concerns and discover a path to a more fulfilling existence. Prioritize your well-being; your journey to a brighter future starts with a simple click to schedule your free consultation.