Stress, PTSD and Anxiety Therapists in Union City, CA.

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.

Feeling anxious is never comfortable; stresses of life often bring us to that point. Having a safe and compassionate listener can be the beginning of alleviating some of the pressure that causes these disruptive emotions. Being able to talk about your struggle in a trusting space allows you to put some of the angst outside of yourself and begin to look at your anxiety more objectively - allowing you to make sense of it and temper it. When you hold all of this as your own it continues to grow and expand. I can provide you a safe space. I am direct and empathetic so we will honestly explore your "stuff." Call today. Begin to make your life more manageable. You need not do this alone.

Are you struggle with anxiety, worry, and stress so much so that it interferes with your well-being and sense of inner peace? I offer an effective, highly-researched form of treatment called EMDR (which stands for Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing). This form of therapy combines thoughts, feelings and body experiences to "unstick" negative memories or experiences that are at the root cause of distress. Contact me for more information. Let's tackle this together.

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.

Anxiety and stress are actually two different things. Where stress usually comes from actual and identifiable challenges, anxiety tends to be more arbitrary in that there isn't necessarily one specific cause. However, both anxiety and stress tend to develop based on one's specific context--that is what one has experienced through their lifetime. While some anxiety and stress is actually good for us (i.e. propels us toward action), excessive amounts can create both emotional and physical challenges. I work with clients from a top-down/bottom-up approach, working to help the brain to better control the bodily effects of stress and anxiety and the body to control the brain.

Anxiety and stress can be debilitating at times. Having a safe place to talk about your stress and learning safe ways to cope is a place to start. Sometimes stress is in relation to family, work, friends, relationships that we long to have work well. We can look at these areas and develop better ways of coping and communicating so that relationships are a source of security and comfort.

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.

We all struggle with anxiety and stress. It's normal and human. But sometimes the anxiety and stress start to feel like they are taking over. As we work together, I want to help you first create a base of confidence and belief in yourself and your right to be able to share who you are with the world. As we work on that, we also build coping skills both on mindfulness to manage your anxiety and stress and on communication so that you can share who you are with confidence. I look forward to working with you to build a life that feels settled and grounded and accepting.

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 and Stress are part of the human condition. Many of us don't realize how much of our brain's real estate anxiety and stress take up - robbing us of being able to be present for what is in front of us instead of reacting to some fear or past trauma. I can help you build your inner resilience and recognition of when you are being driven by anxiety/stress so that you can find your way out of a historic reaction and into a more current narrative.

In addition to being a licensed Marriage Family Therapist, I am also a ceritified Somatic Experiencing Practitioner as developed by Dr. Peter Levine, and a certified Structural Integration Practitioner as developed by Dr. Ida Rolf. Using these body-based technologies in what we call a "bottom up" approach to anxiety and stress is a lot more effective than the "top down" approach of traditional Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. That's because anxiety and stress are artifacts of the reptillian brain and limbic system not the neocortex where CBT works.

I can teach you specific tools to help with anxiety and stress reduction on the physical level. We may also explore the deeper causes of anxiety, your history, and how to find ground in the midst of uncertainty. It is easy to become anxious when our minds are consumed with thoughts of the past or future speculations. By guiding awareness, I will help you to return to the present moment even as we talk, to feel your body and senses in the here and now. Building your capacity to be aware in the present moment greatly reduces anxiety.

If you are struggling with feelings of anxiety or depression a wonderful tool is to learn about Mindfulness Meditation. Once you learn the simple steps, you can practice a little as five or ten minutes daily and see the results immediately. Mindfulness Meditation is easy to learn, has no side effects and is very cost effective. You can use it as a tool for stress management or for deepening your spiritual growth and practice. There is no right or wrong way. You take what works for you and apply it to your life.