Anxiety

Do you feel constantly on edge like you are waiting for a bomb to drop? Do you feel so certain that you failed that test, flopped that interview, or lost all your chances in a relationship, even if there isn't clear evidence to prove it? Are your thoughts spinning around so fast in your head you can't keep up? Hello anxiety! We all experience it, but many people are faced with it to an extent that it becomes debilitating. In fact, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S. They are also highly treatable, yet only 36.9% of those struggling receive treatment! With the help of therapy, you CAN overcome your anxiety and live a more manageable and meaningful life.

Anxiety and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) 

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy was developed by Steven Hayes after suffering from anxiety and panic attacks for years. He found that traditional Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (a therapy approach that focuses on changing your thought patterns) was not bringing him relief and so he sought to reframe his struggles in a new way. Overtime he developed what we now know as ACT. 

ACT acknowledges that as human beings, we are all going to have anxiety from time to time. There is no reality in which you will be completely free from all anxiety; it is a natural and important emotion that helps us internally identify something we need to change or address. So, instead of trying to get rid of your anxiety, we will focus on strategies that minimize its power over you. This way you can engage in activities that are rich and meaningful, even if anxiety is present. 

Have you ever tried to stop thinking about a particular thing, only to find that the more you try to stop thinking about it you only think about it more? This is called Cognitive Fusion. When we get wrapped up in our thoughts, we become “hooked” and more or less controlled by our thoughts. Instead of trying to deny, numb out, or fight against them, ACT tells us that all we need to do is gently “unhook” from them. 

When we practice unhooking ourselves from our thoughts, feelings, beliefs, etc. we give ourselves the opportunity to live presently in the moment. We no longer have to be controlled by them because even though they are still present, we are not attached. We can go on making decisions that are important to us (e.g. spending time with friends or family, finishing a project, applying for a new job, etc.). 

Your anxiety does not have to control you. Since our minds are a part of us, it can feel tempting to believe everything it has to say, but your thoughts, feelings, beliefs, etc. do not define you. You get to decide what matters to you and how you want to move toward a life that is rich and meaningful. Together, I will help you discover that path by teaching you skills to unhook from unhelpful thoughts and feelings, identify your values and discover the confidence to commit to the life you want. 

If you look back in our history, you will see that anxiety is an emotion that was a necessity for our survival. During caveman times, fear and anxiety provided information that our life may be in danger and prompted us to act accordingly (e.g. fight, flight or freeze). However, since we have evolved overtime and no longer need to worry about being attacked by sabertooth tigers, our experience with anxiety is often about perceived danger. The problem is we tend to get caught up in our thoughts, feelings and beliefs which can ramp up our anxiety even to any perceivable emotional threat. Watch the short video below for a visual explanation!