Stress, PTSD and Anxiety Therapists in Rio del Mar, CA.

Is the weight of the world on your shoulders? Is it difficult to get up in the morning and face the day, even though it was difficult to fall asleep and turn off your mind the night before? Are your relationships suffering because you feel stressed and worried most of the time? A little anxiety can be a positive push toward action, but too much anxiety and stress are unhealthy and unhelpful. I can help you learn to de-stress with relaxation techniques and anxiety management. It doesn’t have to be this hard.

Anxiety can range from mild stress that is manageable to overwhelming stress that turns into traumatic activation. Through our somatic and relational therapies, you can feel whole again. Together, we look for what strengths and abilities you have that can be built on. Somatic resources generate an awareness of the sensations in the body that feel pleasant and grounding for the client and help them mediate the debilitating symptoms of trauma. Often clients don’t recognize the symptoms of trauma and are dealing with anxiety, fear and depression on their own. Many trauma clients do not seek therapeutic assistance right away, either because they don’t take the traumatic experience seriously or they think that “time will heal” or because of shame and...(view profile to read more)

Are you worried about things going out of your control? Do you experience overwhelming anxiety and panic attacks? Are you obsessed about someone or something that is driving you crazy? I can help you find the roots of your fears, worries and anxieties, identify destructive patterns, work through inner conflicts, and move on to peace, and a calm state of mind that you deserve.

Everyone experiences anxiety at some point, but for some the anxiety is so frequent or intense that it interferes with their lives or even triggers panic attacks. I use Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to help my clients get a sense of control over their own anxiety. We collaborate to learn skills to reduce the frequency or intensity of the anxious feelings, to tolerate the anxiety when it does occur so they can still function through it, and to practice habits that reduce stress and improve general mental health.

I am a licensed marriage and family therapist with a Masters and Ph.D. in Psychology and a Doctorate in Naturopathy. I specialize anxiety treatment for individuals, couples, and family therapy using traditional psychology and integrative medicine. My landmark book Healing & Wholeness: Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Mental Health discusses the many types of natural methods that have shown in research to improve the symptoms of anxiety and successfully treat all types of anxiety disorders.

The anxiety disorders are usually very amenable to EMDR therapy, which deals with disturbing memories, negative beliefs, body sensations and emotions associated with the root of the anxiety. Stress leads to anxiety which leads to low serotonin levels and then poor functioning. The EMDR is a "non-drug" treatment for anxiety and stress. This is a preferable approach for real resolution rather than taking prescription medications for anxiety, which are the "benzos", highly addictive with regular use for just a few months, and difficult to get out of one's system. Anxiety, worrying, stressing, nervousness, phobias, fears, triggers, are common problems in our high strung culture but fixable.

In the world we live in today, anxiety and stress is rampant and it can be difficult to figure out how to sort through our feelings and still be productive and content individuals. In therapy, I focus on slowing down rapid thinking that is often rooted in anxiety and stress. I encourage the use of calming behavioral techniques in conjunction with altering negative and anxiety provoking thoughts to alleviate symptoms.

Anxiety is an internal alarm system that gives us information about our internal state as well as possible danger in the external world. Often, anxiety is a signal of deeper, more intense emotions such as sadness, anger, and fear. It can also be a consequence of not living authentically. Once these deeper feelings are identified and expressed, they can be readily released. For example, when we say "Yes" when we really mean "No," we will often experience anxiety. In this case, the anxiety is providing us with a warning that we are not being honest (living authentically) with ourself and/or another. Therapy is the perfect place to explore this common emotion.

Anxiety is a fire fueled by our attention and frantic efforts to "put it out." I will help you end your battle with your own thoughts and physical sensations. I will empower you with the latest scientific adaptations of the mindfulness, compassion, and gratitude traditions. Thus armed, you will replace the "fear of fear" with acceptance. We will shift your focus from preoccupation with threat to gratitude for your courage, strength, and sources of support.

Get Anxiety Relief Now. Regular talk therapy is not enough, Dr. Dufford teaches specific tools and techniques to overcome Anxiety and Sress related problems. Dr. Dufford, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist, Director of Anxiety Treatment Services has specialized training and experience in treating Anxiety Disorders: Panic, Agoraphobia, Phobias, Social Anxiety, Generalized Anxiety, OCD, PTSD and related issues such as Depression, Insomnia, Anger, IBS, BDD, & Addictions. Get to the bottom of the issue and create lasting positive change with Individual Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Hypnotherapy, EMDR, Psychotherapy, Nutrition, Mindfulness, Group Support and Home Visits for Behavioral Coaching.

Over the course of time, a client may start to experience increased anxiety and find themselves beginning to become more and more tentative as they approach their relationships and personal and professional goals. I provide a comprehensive assessment, that takes into account biopsychosocial (biological, psychological and social) areas of life, and together we are able to develop a holistic and integrative plan that is adjusted to the client's changing life circumstances. When clients redesign their approach to life, they have greater insight, are transformed, and better skilled to attain a higher degree of life satisfaction.

Your stress may be triggered by job loss, illness, relationships or by "positive" stressors like a new job or a baby. I provide a solution-oriented and healing environment for people who are suffering from the stress of living a "real" life. I provide a place to change the way you talk to yourself so you will stop beating yourself up and start predicting and creating positive results in your, or your family's, future. We will join together to increase your ability to cope with stress and appreciate your strengths as a human being. You can increase your tolerance for making important changes, learn to accept uncertainty, and cope with the things in life that can't be changed.

Our busy lives provide plenty of anxiety and stress. Some stress is normal, even helpful. But if you feel tense, anxious, or fearful most of the time, worry and obsess about the future, or feel psychological tension is beginning to affect your physical health, it may be time to get help. I use a variety of techniques to help people manage stress, including guided imagery, meditation, and EMDR, which is very effective for those whose anxiety stems from previous emotional wounds or trauma. No matter what approach we choose, I'll make sure you feel safe, supported, and free to explore the causes of your anxiety and stress so you can overcome them and take back control of your life.