Is it hard to catch your breath because everything feels overwhelming?
Does your heart race uncontrollably at times? You can’t stop worrying even though there’s nothing “wrong?” You may be experiencing anxiety, or, perhaps an anxiety disorder.
Anxiety is a well-known feeling. But, when it is persistent and overwhelming, it can impact your happiness, your relationships, and your daily life. Over 40 million adults are diagnosed with anxiety in the United States every year. Anxiety treatment has shown to be effective in reducing the symptoms of anxiety.
Tools and Strategies for Anxiety
Treatment will usually include tools to manage symptoms of anxiety. A common approached used by RAFT therapists is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Your therapist will work with you to shift your thoughts and behaviors to best meet your goals. As a result, you will increase intention in your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Working with a mental health therapist for anxiety treatment can finally help you quiet your mind. By quieting your mind, you can return to the joy that you lost. Thoughts and behaviors that are not supporting you in reaching your goals will be challenged. This can be thought of as change from the top down.
You can expect to work with your therapist to establish new thoughts and behaviors. Sometimes you will build better ones that are more in line with you and the life that you envision. And sometimes you will just remember what works best for you. Showing up and practicing strategies will pay off. You will notice that you feel better, your purpose becomes clearer, and your relationships get stronger.
Processing Events that Are Keeping You Stuck
Bottom-up processing can also be helpful when meeting with your therapist. These strategies help you uncover the underlying causes of your worries and fears. Then, it can help you process those areas that are keeping you “stuck.” Bottom-up processing can involve identifying past experiences and events that continue to impact you today.
Processing can occur in lots of different ways with your counselor. One bottom-up processing technique is EMDR therapy. EMDR stands for eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. This is because sometimes your counselor will help you with eye movements that can help you. However, eye movements do not have to be a part of EMDR and we can help you with the same processing with other ways that work too. EMDR helps client reprocess negative memories or thoughts. This process allows you to move forward from the past, no longer feeling “stuck” in traumatic memories.
With a combination of processing and skill building, you will notice results when you work with therapists at RAFT. You will build on your strengths and create new ways of thinking and doing. As you start to make changes, your therapist will continue to challenge you and add more tools to the ones that work. Over time, you will meet your goals and feel strong and confident.
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Anxiety Treatment in Parker, CO
Working with a therapist for anxiety treatment can help you feel more grounded, connected, and purpose-driven. At our counseling office in Parker, CO, and via our virtual options, we have solution-focused therapists who work with you to start implementing strategies to improve your life. Imagine feeling confident and passionate again, without second-guessing each thought, interaction, and decision.
Anxiety Treatment Strategies We Use at RAFT Counseling
At RAFT, we know that each client has different challenges and goals for counseling. Our therapists tailor their therapeutic approach to your specific needs. At your first counseling session, your anxiety therapist will ask questions about your goals for anxiety treatment. Then, you and your therapist will discuss the best approaches for achieving your goals and create a plan together. We want to partner with you in living intentionally!
Frequently Asked Questions About Anxiety Treatment
Anxiety can look different for everyone. Common symptoms of anxiety are:
- Nervousness
- Restlessness
- Feeling tense
- Heightened sense of danger
- Sense of dread
- Rapid breathing
- Muscle twitching
- Weakness
- Difficulty focusing or thinking clearly
- Lack of sleep
- Focus on certain ideas or things
- Anxiety surrounding a particular life event or experience that occurred in the past
We offer a different type of support than friends or family can. As mental health professionals, therapists have the training and experience to therapeutically help you. Further, a trained therapist can help you approach your situation in a new way.
Working with a therapist for anxiety treatment will…
- Teach you new skills
- Help you gain different perspectives
- Listen to you without judgment or expectations
- Show you how to listen to yourself
Furthermore, counseling is completely confidential. If your situation provokes a great deal of negative emotion and you’ve been confiding in a friend or family member, there is the risk that once you are feeling better, you could start avoiding that person so you aren’t reminded of this difficult time in your life. With counseling, these barriers are removed. You have the time and space to focus on your wellness with someone outside of your usual circle who can really provide perspective.
Medication can be very effective. But, medication alone cannot solve all of your concerns. Sometimes, medication is needed in conjunction with counseling. Further, anxiety treatment is designed to explore and unpack the problems you are experiencing. This helps you expand on your strengths, in turn, helping you accomplish your personal goals.
It can be helpful to think of medication like a life jacket. For some swimmers, a life jacket is not needed. Likewise, for others, a life jacket is absolutely necessary. Working with an anxiety therapist is similar to receiving swim lessons. They teach you how to swim, just like a therapist can share coping strategies. Therefore, a life jacket (medication) can help you improve your swimming by buoying you up, allowing you the time and space to breathe without drowning. Sometimes, medication is needed long-term. Other times, medication can be used short term to give you the room to breathe, and then be decreased and even removed completely as you make progress toward your goals.
At RAFT Counseling, we can recommend prescribers we trust and work with often.
Therapy timelines look different for everyone. Together, we can customize a plan that fits your challenges and goals. Most often, individuals start with a session once per week. Then, they decrease the frequency as things start to feel better. So, some clients see us for a few sessions and feel so much better that they choose not to continue therapy. Likewise, other clients see us for several months in order to address underlying concerns, build strategies, and achieve identified goals.
Our hope is that the relationship we establish as counselor and client will feel helpful and supportive as you reach your goals. Often, clients return to us months or years later for support when life happens and some additional support might be helpful again. If we’re no longer a good fit, we aim to connect you with someone that is. We want to be an important piece of your support network.
Begin Anxiety Treatment in Parker, CO or Online
Experiencing anxiety is tough. The therapists at our Parker, CO counseling practice have extensive experience working with individuals struggling with anxiety. We would be honored to collaborate with you in taking the next steps toward reclaiming your thoughts, building your confidence, and improving your life. You can access our services in person or virtually using online therapy in Colorado. Reach out today to get started.