Stress, PTSD and Anxiety Therapists in Mount Vernon, VA.

Anxiety and stress is how our body and mind react to the compounding minor stresses of everyday life or major complications. The goal of therapy is to change how the body and mind respond to intense, overwhelming, or uncertain situations. First, you will develop an awareness of your reactions to stress. Next, we will develop and practice strategies that help you feel in control of the present and face the future with courage and strength.

There are at least four components to reducing anxiety. The first is to learn self-soothing techniques. the second is to become aware of the thoughts and images which are making you anxious and replace then with other thoughts and images. The third is to face what you are most afraid of. Sometimes, when there has been trauma, this fear is something that has already happened.. Often it is something out of your control, a fact of life, like death! We need to make peace with these, accept their reality and make the best of what we have. I have some excellent tools for transforming anxiety, Including Accelerated Resolution Therapy, A.R.T, see acceleratedresolutiontherapy.com.

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.

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.

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.

Robyn E. Brickel, M.A., LMFT, LLC uses counseling methods in her therapy practice that are based on research evidence that can help facilitate the rapid resolution of symptoms of anxiety and mood instability, including stress and depression. Robyn incorporates techniques for mind-body integration so insights gained in psychotherapy are internalized and sustained.

Anxiety and stress seem to be everyone's typical standard way of life these days...but that doesn't make them any easier to deal with. Though they can certainly be linked, stress and anxiety can be very different, including the way they are treated. From everyday issues to healing from past traumas and losses, anxiety can steal your quality of life. The good news is that anxiety is one area that is particularly receptive to therapy and counseling - much can change in a short period of time with the right intervention and help.