Stress, PTSD and Anxiety Therapists in West Vancouver, BC.

Anxiety and Stress can be related to a number of things going on in our lives at a given time. Typically it is how we perceive the stressors in our life, or the feeling that we don't have the resources to cope that determines whether or not we feel anxious, stressed, or overwhelmed. If we are unable to get into a RECOVERY zone, anxiety and stress can quickly seem to spin out of control and EVERYTHING may feel too hard. I use Cognitive and Behavioural, Mindfulness, and Ego State therapies to help individuals quickly acquire the tools, and insights that help them reduce the Anxiety symptoms and navigate their anxiety triggers. Moreover, they regain a sense of calm and control in their lives.

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.

Are you feeling overwhelmed and anxious about life? Are you struggling to cope with your worries? If so, there is help. As an anxiety counsellor, I provide comprehensive and supportive care for those dealing with anxiety. I work closely with my clients to develop a plan of action tailored to their individual needs. I use evidence-based approaches that help client identify and address the sources of their anxiety. When you work with me, you can expect to gain an understanding of the root causes of your anxiety, learn coping strategies and techniques to manage your symptoms, and to shift your thinking and behavior patterns so that you can reclaim your life and feel more empowered.

While our bodies are perfectly designed to adapt and react to stress, modern problems mean that we tend to detect life threatening dangers in very ordinary places. Conflicts at work, arguments in our relationships and uncertainties such as the post-Covid world activate old survival mechanisms. We may be stuck in the buzzing, fear states of ‘fight-flight’ or the numb and paralyzed states of ‘freeze and shut down.’ The good news is that I have a long history of safely and successfully helping individuals and couples to reduce and release stress using a variety of CBT and mindfulness techniques, as well as trauma-informed therapy. You have my commitment to compassionate and educated care.

The circumstances and issues that you are dealing with are unique to you, but you don't have to face them alone. Every individual has different experiences, perceptions, feelings, thoughts, beliefs, values, attitudes, cultural backgrounds and "upbringings". Counselling sessions are private and confidential, and can provide a way for you to explore your problems and really tune in to your feelings. This is an opportunity to speak freely about your circumstances and release pent up feelings, without having to worry about what others think or feel, and without receiving unwanted advise from family, friends or coworkers. At the root of the problem, there are very real, legitimate and understandable reasons for feeling the way you feel, thinking the way...(view profile to read more)

Every day , we are exposed to different distresses. How we perceive the external distresses could result in how we feel. When we feel anxious and stressed out, we feel scared and vulnerable , because of the activation of emotional memories of harmful and painful experiences in the absence of protection and support. In the process of therapy , while I help my clients process the past harmful experiences in to helpful ones , I assist the clients in: Enhancing self-efficacy or sense of agency , Resolving discrepancies between self-beliefs and self-standards, Increasing tolerance for—and ownership of negative affects and perhaps affective experience in general.

Our focus is to support individuals who are struggling with anxiety and stress to a more relaxed and manageable way of being. Not only is stress and anxiety hard on our health and energy, but it also can have a significant impact on our world around us. We will work in a collaborative manor to break apart the building blocks that have contributed to the imbalance of anxiety and stress in your life, and empower you with the tools and techniques to remain in balance.

In anxiety and stress counseling, I provide a safe, confidential space to express whatever thoughts and feelings are weighing on you. Anxiety often involves racing thoughts, physical tension, and feeling overwhelmed by worries about the future. Together we'll work on bringing you back to the present and developing practical tools that help. This might include mindfulness practices to interrupt anxious thought spirals, relaxation techniques to release tension, or examining thought patterns fueling your stress. Our therapeutic relationship matters most—having someone genuinely listen without judgment has real healing power. Clients report feeling calmer, more grounded, and able to handle challenges in a more balanced way.

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!