Stress, PTSD and Anxiety Therapists in St Jacobs, ON.

It is hard to understand anxiety unless you have experienced it. Anxiety is a lot like an unwanted guest at a party, only this guest often ruins everything and seemingly never wants to leave. People who live with anxiety are often misunderstood, minimized or dismissed as irrational by those who do not understand what it is like to feel anxious. Additionally, many people living with anxiety often blame themselves for their anxious thinking, which can often make things worse. I help men to better cope with their anxiety by working together to find and practice the tools and techniques that work for them so they can successfully deal with those unwanted/and poorly timed anxious moments.

As a Somatic (SE) therapist- mental & emotional health follows the state of the nervous system. If it is flowing seamlessly between sympathetic and parasympathetic; arousal and settling, within a “manageable range” there’s a deep, internal sense of well-being, emotional stability, confidence, clear thinking, aliveness, trust in self and others, and mastery. With SE we will focus on: Your experiences... in the body Learn to track, observe, describe what is going on for you Regulate internal arousal states, shift locked patterns into action, increase body awareness. Encourage emotional engagement with attention to: mindfulness, sensations, movements and impulses. Here & Now find YOU!

I believe we all have moments in our lives when we experience stress and anxiety. Every single one of us could benefit from tools taken from mindfulness exercises, and other great therapeutic approaches. Stress sucks, but stress can be a really important reminder that we need to pay attention to something important going on in our lives. Let’s find the tools that work best for you and start implementing them into your life. Let’s breathe a little easier together.

I understand that anxiety and stress can feel consuming resulting in emotionally shutting down, experiencing outbursts or avoiding situations all together. I work with clients to create a healthier relationship with anxiety and stress that is founded in the belief “I can handle this”. I help clients learn the tools to handle any situation that triggers anxiety or stress including changing how they think about the triggering situation. When clients shift their thinking, they open up the ability to achieve things that they normally thought were impossible. This new self-confidence allows clients to choose the type of relationship they want to have with themselves, with others and with the world around them giving them endless possibilities.

Anxiety and stress, sometimes they're manageable... sometimes they aren't. If you are having difficulty managing the anxiety and stress, I strive to work with people to navigate and explore their stressors to understand them and gain insight and perspective into those stress patterns so we can collaboratively devise empowering ways to manage them.

Who hasn't felt anxious or stressed in life?! Anxiety and stress often show up as racing thoughts, sleepless nights, tight chests, and a relentless inner critic. Whether you suffer from gereralized anxiety, social anxiety, panic or crushing self-doubt, my goal is to offer a calm, steady presence and practical tools grounded in CBT, ACT, and mindfulness to help you slow the spin, quiet the noise, and (literally) breathe again. As a psychologist—and as a person shaped by my own life’s pressures, stresses, and challenges —I can meet you with empathy, not judgment. Together, we’ll create space for clarity, courage, calm, and resilience. When our rational minds fail us... therapy saves the day!

People often wrongly assume that anxiety and stress come purely from inside our minds or from our circumstances - both of which are hard to control. In our sessions together we'll draw on multiple disciplines and teach you how to do simple exercises that can rewire your nervous system and help you feel at peace in your- regardless of what is happening around you. We'll also explore how to improve your thinking in ways that can protect you from feeling overwhelmed when anxiety pops up.

In my work with anxiety and stress, I offer a calm and supportive space to explore what lies beneath the surface of worry and tension. Rather than trying to eliminate anxiety, I help clients understand it as a natural—often protective—response that can be worked with compassionately. Together, we use mindfulness, grounding, and gentle self-inquiry to regulate the nervous system and develop new ways of responding to stress. My goal is to help clients build resilience, self-trust, and a greater sense of ease and balance in their daily lives.

Embark on a journey of healing and resilience with anxiety and stress counseling. As a therapist specializing in anxiety, trauma, grief, and relationships, I offer a compassionate approach grounded in Emotionally Focused Therapy, Internal Family Systems, Polyvagal Theory, and Somatic EMDR. Together, we'll navigate your challenges, providing support and practical strategies to help you find peace and strength in the face of adversity. Take the first step towards a brighter tomorrow today.

Anxiety and stress are main reasons that we lack balance in our lives because they result in heightened focus on one particular area, often to the detriment of others. Taking the time to explore how your anxiety and stress are affecting you and finding strategies for addressing the imbalance can lead to a greater sense of peace and more satisfaction and contentment with life.

My approach to treating anxiety and stress often involves integrating cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), mindfulness techniques and relaxation strategies into the work that I do with clients. By helping clients identify negative thought patterns, I am able to guide them in developing more helpful coping mechanisms. Mindfulness practices such as meditation and breathing exercises foster a sense of calm and present-moment awareness. Additionally, relaxation techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation reduce physical tension. Clients benefit from these methods by experiencing reduced symptoms, improved emotional regulation and enhanced overall well-being.

Together we look at some of the underlying factors that contribute to your anxiety/stress. Sometimes it's internal factors and other times it may be coming from external environments. Understanding is half the battle. By learning new skills you can learn to manage your anxiety and stress much better! I utilize an empathetic approach to help deescalate some of the stress you may be experiencing. Hope is here!

Anxiety and stress can be, in a word, scary! They can leave us feeling overwhelmed and alone. Therapy can provide a safe and supportive space to explore these concerns and learn new skills that can restore your sense of freedom and control. I offer a free 15-minute consultation for individuals aged 14+ to see if I am a good fit to help you manage your anxiety and stress.