Stress, PTSD and Anxiety Therapists in Kingstowne, VA.

There are many things that cause us to feel uneasy or uncertain as we move through our daily activities. We may be worried that we will be late for work or may feel anxious about getting a job. Together we will look at ways to reduce stress and make changes to make life less complicated. Sometimes the level of anxiety always is very high and I will help you find interventions to reduce that feeling of being overwhelmed. We may be able to use cognitive behavioral techniques along with meditation and tai chi movements. All sessions will focus on helping you move toward a less stressful life.

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.

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.

Anxiety takes many forms in life, and many activities in life that can be rewarding or meaning can also cause anxiety. When anxiety is too high, it inhibits us from living a life that feels full and worthwhile. Therapy can help you to understand the underlying dynamics of what contributes to feeling anxious and the sense of risk in engaging in your life in a more full way.

A lot of people experience anxiety when they feel stressed out. In fact, stress and anxiety go hand by hand. Hence, learning to deal with stress can also help you to manage anxiety in a better way. Anxiety is not really a bad thing as anxiety can motivate us to do things better, but anxiety can become a problem when it gets too much. Hence, how to keep “good” anxiety and get rid of “bad anxiety” and this is something that we can work on together.

Anxiety and stress often get in the way of a fulfilling life and I believe therapy can help. I am a marriage and family therapist (MFT), so I have been trained to help clients think about the stress in their lives in the context of their relationships. This type of 'systems thinking' is unique to Licensed MFTs. Clients benefit from this approach because it brings your stress outside of your own self and into the world of your relationships. This is very freeing! We work together to achieve your goals, always reaching toward a more peaceful life.