Stress, PTSD and Anxiety Therapists in San Rafael, CA.

Anxiety feeds on the demand for certainty and comfort, and during these incredibly crazy times, we find these two staples to be in short supply! No wonder you are feeling stressed and anxious right now. The key to working with your anxiety is to befriend it - as anxiety-provoking as that may sound - because having a relationship with anxiety will actually help you to understand what it needs and how to soothe it when uncertainty and discomfort are the prevailing themes of our time. I can help you to do the scary but courageous thing - to hold it and listen to it, drawing it in and providing it with the safety, warmth and welcome it has been longing for!

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.

The modern world we live in is full of amazing technological advancements and organizational wonders, but it is also more complex and demanding than ever before. The myriad competing demands of our lives, how busy we are, the continual pressure to do and be more creates enormous stress for all of us. This stress can escalate into anxiety and the added strain of these issues easily begins to short-circuit our ability to function at our best, to feel good, to maintain relationships and responsibilities. I can help you understand the internal and external forces creating these negative feelings, and together we can find strategies for minimizing stress and anxiety so you can feel better.

Anxiety can take away your personal power at the most important moments. Starting from our first session, we will support your understanding of anxiety as a secondary emotion, the biological effects of anxiety, and how relationships might play a role in your anxiety. From there, we can build on your new insights and develop them into new habits. At the end of therapy, you will have a clear plan for sustained control over anxiety and chronic stress.

Anxiety and stress are so prevalent in today's society. I can help you gather the tools you need to successfully handle those moments when you feel overwhelmed - even if those moments seem like they are all the time. I utilize psychodynamic and/or a cognitive behavioral approach to treating anxiety and stress. I also treat Obsessive Compulsive Disorder using Exposure and Response Prevention.