Stress, PTSD and Anxiety Therapists in New Westminster, BC.

Heightened stress or anxiety is so common in our society that sometimes we fear that without the adrenaline rushing through our bodies, we would suffer from extreme boredom or worse, fall into a deep, dark depression. Unfortunately, the stress response that protects us in times of extreme danger actually harms us when left to run rampant. Finding safe, healthy ways to ‘self-soothe’ will increase physical health & also free you to enjoy your life more fully. Since we have absolutely no power to control anyone but ourselves & nothing but the present moment, decreasing our ‘stress response’ frees up energy that can be put into significant relationships & activities that bring life to us.

I approach anxiety counseling with a professional and evidence-based methodology, ensuring that you receive the utmost quality of care. Drawing from a robust background in psychology, education, and therapy, I am well-prepared to navigate the intricacies of anxiety and its impact on your life. While anxiety is a natural response to stress, I recognize that, for some, it can become overwhelming and disruptive. It may manifest in various forms, such as generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, panic disorder, or specific phobias. Together we will implement proved techniques to relieve you of the anxiety that is impacting your well-being.

We live in a fast paced 24/7 world dealing with social media, technology and lots of things to worry about in the media. No wonder we are all a little anxious these days. I will help you change your relationship with your thoughts so they have less power and control over you. When we give in and avoid things due to anxiety we end up feeling pretty isolated. I will teach you tools and strategies to get through your stress and anxiety.

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.

Is anxiety taking over your life? Let's work together to help you learn the skills and access the knowledge that you already have to make a positive change in your life. I will work with you using an approach that is suited to your unique needs. I can give you tools and to help you get to the life you want. I have worked with clients using cognitive behavioural therapy, solution focused therapy, acceptance & commitment therapy and mindfulness techniques. You are a person who is living with anxiety, not an anxious person. Anxiety does not define you, but it is possible to learn to cope with it. If you want a more fulfilling life, then call me and let's make that life possible.

Anxiety and stress management, I could not have obtained my two degrees without learning the techniques that help manage both stress and anxiety!! I have a two page stress and anxiety assessment form that we use in the first appointment which takes us right to the strategies and techniques tha help clients deal with anxiety and stress management. Each person's situation is personallized to help them have rapid response to gettting rid of anxiety and or stress

Feelings of anxiety can become so intense that it becomes overwhelming. Often individuals struggling with anxiety express constant intruding thoughts that focus on fears of events of the future. Anxiety can create physical feelings of distress like a tight chest that makes it difficult to breath, an upset or tight feeling in the stomach, and general fatigue from constantly trying to control their thoughts and actions. Some people have battled anxiety for so long that they begin to believe it is just who they are and accept the restrictions it causes in their life. Through counselling we will work to break the cycle of anxiety controlling your inner world. Bringing a sense of relief, control and freedom that has been absent for so long.

Anxiety and stress are normal responses to life events, work and relationship/family pressures, and worry and fear. In therapy we can explore the context of your life and relationships and how these relate to the stress and anxiety. Through individual or family counselling we can develop goals and strategies for addressing the stress or anxiety. I utilize therapeutic interventions from Response-Based Practice, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.

Anxiety and panic are often driven by negative experiences or traumas that are stored in the brain and can trigger overwhelming emotional responses. EMDR helps to desensitize and reprocess these memories, reducing the intensity of the emotional response and decreasing symptoms of anxiety and panic. Through the use of bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements or tapping, EMDR can help the brain reprocess the negative experiences, leading to increased emotional regulation and a greater sense of calm and well-being.

We will go over situations that result in the client feeling anxious, what their thoughts are in those moments when they are anxious and their behaviour as a result. We will look at challenging negative thoughts into realistic thoughts and gradual exposure exercises when there are fears that are getting in the way. We will go over psycho-education about anxiety.