Stress, PTSD and Anxiety Therapists in Dranesville, VA.

Everyone talks about stress and anxiety, but for many of us, it gets to be too much — interfering with work, sleep, relationships, health, or just being able to enjoy life. There are many options to help reduce the ways anxiety and stress "hijack" you, and to better manage and reduce your stressors. As a psychologist and a neuropsychologist, I'll work with you using the best strategies and practical ways for you to get past the obstacles that stress and anxiety can cause, making excellent use of the ways your brain and mind can shift your response to stress, and helping you move forward in your life with greater freedom and ease.

Many clients considering psychotherapy are dealing with two levels of anxiety and stress. The idea of consulting with a therapist can be stressful and anxiety provoking. Anxiety and stress can also be experienced when discussing issues of compulsive sexual behaviors, or anger issues, that one has not been successful in managing. I approach my psychotherapy practice with a non-judgmental, compassionate and respectful attitude. You will find a confidential and safe environment in which to discuss the difficult issues that have disrupted your personal and professional lives.

Anxiety disorders develop as a result of long-term and cumulative stress. Recovering from anxiety and coping with stress can be successfully addressed through the use of a holistic and educational therapeutic model. I will help you to: • Learn to counter negative beliefs and self-talk; • Develop skills for coping with stress, panic attacks and phobias; • Adapt mindfulness strategies to decrease stress and worry; • Improve relationship skills; • Develop self-acceptance, self-esteem and assertiveness; and • Cultivate a sense of direction and purpose. I provide a safe and supportive space to help you achieve your goals.

Anxiety and stress go hand in hand. Anxiety is a customary reaction to a stressful situation. But, in some cases it becomes excessive and can cause sufferers to dread everyday situations. Stress is a reality for all of us. But, it does not have to overwhelm us. Some people may have a genetic predisposition to anxiety. Early traumatic experiences can also reset the body's normal fear-processing system so that it is hyper-reactive to stress. The goal would be to; rid the exaggerated worries and negative outcomes in unknown situations. I will counsel you on the many ways to reduce the amount of stress in your life, along with techniques to adjust your reaction to those factors.

As we all know stress is from anything in life and left undone, it will start bringing levels of anxiety. If we allow anxiety to grow unchecked it will start overwhelming us and can lead to a life "out of control". Here is one of my principles called "margins". A "margin" is when we give adequate space for the fluctuations of life. If you have put together a serious budget, it needs to have some room for the unexpected. When our "margins" are packed without room to adjust, we are headed for trouble. As we build "margins" with adequate space, we start experiencing rest, hope and joy. For we are not overwhelmed. One cannot have a "crises" management attitude. There is real hope.

Anxiety and stress are among the most common struggles people face, yet they can feel incredibly isolating. The constant pressure to do it all in a fast-moving world can become overwhelming, leaving you exhausted and unsure how to find relief. You are not alone in this. Whether anxiety shows up in your daily routines, impacts your relationships, or keeps your mind from resting, therapy can provide support and direction. Together, we will work on practical ways to calm your mind, ease the intensity of worry, and create more space for peace and clarity in your life.

I can help you identify and address the thought and situations that are contributing to your anxiety. In a safe, supportive and nonjudgmental environment, you can work through difficult emotions and learn ways to gain more control over your thoughts and your life. In your counseling sessions, you can also develop more self-awareness, breathing techniques and other mindfulness-based stress reduction strategies to reduce anxiety and tension.As you develop more mindfulness, you can also begin to identify, examine and address any self-limiting behaviors or negative self-beliefs that keep you from coping effectively.

As a normal reaction to stress, mild anxiety is sometimes helpful: you study for a test, or drive within the speed limit. But excessive anxiety and stress make everyday activities much more difficult – they choke the joy out of life. Perhaps you worry way too much about normal things, find it hard to concentrate, or often experience an impending sense of doom or dread. Maybe you’re afraid of having panic attacks you can’t control. Perhaps you avoid social activities because you fear embarrassment or humiliation. Change is possible! With counseling, you can learn to soothe your anxious body, tame your anxious mind, and change your anxious behavior. Please contact me for more info.

In the fast-paced Northern Virginia area, high levels of stress and anxiety are common. I create an understanding, compassionate therapeutic environment. My approach is to address both anxious thinking and the body’s stress response. You will learn practical skills to help adjust the thought patterns that support anxiety. Because anxiety is also physical I use relaxation and mindfulness techniques to achieve a calmer, more focused state by slowing down racing thoughts. With these skills, we examine all areas of life, including any outside factors that contribute to stress. I never take a “one-size-fits-all” approach to my work. Therapy is a collaborative process, the best results coming from honoring the uniqueness of each person.

While most treatment approaches for anxiety and stress are effective on the surface, they don’t treat the real problem. Mantras, deep breathing, and rational dialogues about your fear being irrational rarely work---for most people don’t believe it or you! Imagine if you can trick the brain into changing without you telling your conscious mind that you are changing it? Problem with anxiety and stress is that the brain in this state knows you want to change it and it resists. Contact Kevin@kevinflemingphd.com for the ultimate stress and anxiety solution that will literally change your brain's autonomic nervous system patterns while you sit on your butt. 877-606-6161.