Stress, PTSD and Anxiety Therapists in Mentone, CA.

Stress can come in many ways. But, stress doesn't happen to us; it happens in us. Stress is the way we respond to outside influences. I will help you learn better ways to deal with and cope with situations that bring stress to you. We will start with Identifying the stressors in your life and your typical response style. Then, together we will work to find new ways to react/cope. Call me, let's get started.

Anxiety and stress seem to the two factors that are running most people's lives. Between, work, performances, home, family, friends, returning phone calls and emails and all the additional pressures of life, stress and anxiety can simply become overwhelming. Counseling and psychotherapy has an outstanding track record for helping people cope with their anxieties and stressors in life. The therapeutic relationship established by a professional counselor often substantially decreases and relieves the wave of anxiety that can paralyze anyone. Counseling along with if needed medical intervention will under most circumstance return needed control, comfort and success.

Much of anxiety and stress are related to the negative messages we send ourselves. We worry about what others think of us, what may happen in the future, and how we acted in the past; just to name a few. Because much of anxiety is based in our thoughts; a large portion of the work we do in this therapy is to challenge our thinking. By challenging our negative thoughts, we can experience a more positive shift in emotions and behaviors. We will also discuss and practice mindfulness strategies as a way to work on being more present in the moment and decrease the focus on negative repetitive thinking. Relief from anxiety is possible with effective skills.

Counseling for Anxiety & Stress involves a combination of addressing the external, situational stressors and the client's internal responses to those stressors. I work with my clients to determine where they have control and how they can better exercise that control to reduce anxious feelings, and how to more effectively handle those situations in their lives that are beyond their direct control. I teach clients new stress management skills, practice creating and maintaining healthier boundaries in stressful relationships, and provide new ways of thinking about circumstances to reduce anxiety.

I use a client centered approach. Her therapeutic approach derives from the Cognitive-Behavioral aspect of therapy. With this approach I help clients connect their thoughts and feelings with their behaviors to identify ways to change their actions into a positive and productive results. I also teach mindfulness and how to be present in the moment.

I have experience working with people who struggle with anxiety issues, such panic attacks and agoraphobia. As an MFT, I tend to look at anxiety issues from a relational orientation. We will provide an assessment of your anxiety issue. Research shows that effective treatment is often a combination of medication and psychotherapy, so I may refer you to a doctor or psychiatrist for a medical evaluation. Through psychotherapy, I help you to practice ways of coping with anxiety, and we explore some of the underlying "roots" that contribute to your anxiety.

I take a practical approach to treating anxiety and stress. I help you identify the sources of anxiety if you do not already know them. I support you in learning skills to regulate your emotions and increase awareness of body sensations and experiences in order to help you be able to control and reduce feelings of anxiety. I also use a combination of exposure therapy, if appropriate, and adjustment to lifestyle to help you reduce or eliminate sources of anxiety or stress. I know that every experience of anxiety or stress is unique and I will work with you to develop a plan of support tailored to your needs. I will provide a safe environment for you to challenge and overcome your fear/stress

I have taught stress management classes. There are numerous ways to learn to reduce stress in one's life. I am available to help you move toward a more accepting relaxed life style. Letting go of stress in one's life is a challenge. There are many things that cause stress in our daily lifes, but we can learn more fruitful ways of reacting to those stressors.