Stress, PTSD and Anxiety Therapists in Lions Bay, BC.

I primarily work with anxiety from an EMDR/body-based perspective. Anxiety is a very "old" physiological response, in that there are parts of anxiety that are unconscious rather than "cognitive." I typically find that if we only attend to the cognitive side of anxiety, the physiological parts, such as body memory and activation, will find somewhere else to pop up. By working on the physical activation, we can better address and move through the anxiety.

In my professional and personal experience I have found that problems with anxiety, stress, depression, and anger issues are often overlapping. Many people feel mixed emotions of fear, worry, pressure, frustration, guilt, shame and low self worth. Unfortunately we have a tendency to doubt our abilities and our value which can quickly become a 'self fulfilling prophecy' and cause us to judge ourselves harshly, and/or isolate from others. This can become a cycle but it can often be broken by speaking openly with a professional who is competent, kind and encouraging. I am diligent in helping clients identify the false core beliefs and establish new beliefs that empower them again.

Anxiety and stress take a hold on you and never let go, leaving you trapped and frozen. I help my clients to learn all about the magic of mindfulness practice. It's one of the most effective ways to put you in control of your emotions, rather than them controlling you. Imagine how great it would be to have an internal place of peace and serenity that you can use at any time to relax and become grounded. Mindfulness is an ancient practice that is also supported by scientific empirical studies. It's one of the best ways to change your life.

Anxiety and Stress can be incredibly debilitating - and make the smallest of tasks seem like large mountains to climb. I have lived experience with stress and anxiety and support clients with building tools, increase understanding and education and help improve daily functioning. We will work together to determine your goals and take a proactive approach to follow through on a plan for effective solutions. The sessions will lead to improved mood, increased daily functioning and moving from surviving to thriving in your life!

We provide comprehensive support to clients dealing with anxiety and stress by utilizing various effective techniques. First and foremost, we employ psychoeducation to help clients comprehend the underlying mechanisms behind anxiety and stress. Through this knowledge, they gain a better understanding of their own experiences. Additionally, we integrate mindfulness practices, somatic experiencing, and other approaches aimed at fostering self-awareness of both thoughts and physical sensations. This helps clients develop a greater sense of being present in the here and now, enhancing their ability to manage and cope with anxiety.

Our clients consistently share high rates of anxiety, worry, stress and overwhelm. We understand that these states can profoundly impact the nervous system. Our team will work to understand the context of these things (what are they in response to?) and provide insight and interventions to best support individuals and families. Our therapists provide individualized support including EMDR.

Do you have difficulty “turning off” your brain? Is your anxiety creeping back up on you or has it become overwhelming or paralyzing? Are stress and anxiety negatively impacting your health, relationships, or career? Stress can be even more difficult to manage for those with a pre-disposition towards anxiety. We would like to help. We provide treatment to help you relieve anxiety and stress, develop coping skills, and build confidence. We will address your triggers, your relationship with anxiety as well as your attempts to “control” it, and learn more adaptive ways that allow you to flourish. Call us today at (604) 614 – 7177 to get started.

Anxiety and stress counseling offers individuals practical tools and emotional support to manage overwhelming feelings and regain a sense of balance and well-being. Evidence-based techniques such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), relaxation exercises, and mindfulness practices are utilized to help clients identify and challenge anxious thoughts, regulate physiological responses, and develop coping strategies. Through collaborative goal-setting and validation, counseling empowers individuals to build resilience, enhance self-care practices, and cultivate a greater sense of calm and mastery in navigating life's challenges.

In Anxiety & Stress Treatment and Counselling, my approach centers on providing clients with practical tools and strategies to effectively manage and alleviate anxiety and stress. I create a supportive and empathetic environment where clients can openly discuss their concerns and fears. Through a combination of CBT techniques, mindfulness practices, and stress-reduction strategies, clients can expect to develop a deeper understanding of the triggers of their anxiety and stress responses. Together, we work on building resilience and adaptive coping mechanisms, enabling clients to regain a sense of control over their emotions and lives.

My approach to anxiety and stress is not so much around getting rid of it, but how to relate to it differently and make choices based on values vs. fear or pressure. We all have ways of coping with anxiety and stress that seem to work in the short term, but really just keep it active and keep us from living life the way we want to. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy I believe is very beneficial with stress and anxiety as it supports you in having a different relationship with your anxious thoughts and feelings so you are not dictated by them and can go more toward what matters to you,

Do you suffer from Social Anxiety, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, or another form of anxiety? I use a combination of approaches to support your efforts to reduce your distress, creating relief and hope. My therapeutic approach includes using the tools of Cognitive Behavior Therapy, a highly effective clinically proven short term approach, along with Mindfulness Therapy and Relaxation techniques. I also work to provide a warm, intuitive environment where you will feel safe to explore and process the roots of your pain as you learn new skills that can bring a sense of safety, relaxation and well being to your life.

Anxiety as a result of stress is one of, if not the major contributing factor to poor health in most areas of people lives. If you have ever been tense before an exam or a visit to the dentist, you have a felt anxiety. Increased heart rate, sweating, rapid breathing, dry mouth, & a sense of dread are common. Changing this involves cognitive & behavioural approaches. Cognitive change is understanding how thoughts contribute to symptoms and how to change thought patterns to reduce the intensity of your anxiety. And behavioral changes involve using techniques to reduce or stop any undesired behaviors that are a result of the anxiety you have been experiencing.

I offer counseling that can help you change your thinking patterns that trigger your anxiety. This will help you change the way you react to anxiety-provoking situations. Anxiety can be expressed in many ways including social phobia, panic attacks, problems with sleep and heart palpitations . They can disrupt your normal life. With my support, many with anxiety disorders can lead normal fulfilling lives.