Anxiety Therapy
Are You Stretched Thin Because You Struggle With Setting Boundaries?
Do you tend to make decisions based around your assumptions of what other people might think? Have you struggled to say “No” to other people’s requests because you don’t want to disappoint anyone? Does it seem like you have no time or energy for yourself after you’ve given so much to others?
Perhaps you’ve been completely overwhelmed by your responsibilities, yet you still feel like you’re not doing enough. It seems like you’re trapped in a hamster wheel of never-ending tasks, and each day has become a blur. You’re constantly worried that you’re forgetting something, and you live in a persistent state of chronic stress.
Anxiety Can Prompt You To Put Others’ Needs Before Your Own
When the anxiety you feel around disappointing others pushes you to the point of burnout, you can become easily irritated and triggered by minor inconveniences. Just waking up becomes a chore, and you dread managing all of your responsibilities, yet you feel like you can’t quit anything.
You have little patience because you’re spread so thin, and you have difficulty communicating with other people, which sometimes leads to snapping at your loved ones or making comments you regret.
Many people who struggle with anxiety harbor a deep fear of upsetting others, and they will go to great lengths to avoid inconveniencing other people. A therapist can help you let go of the misconception that self-care is selfish, get comfortable putting your own needs first, and learn skills to help you cope with anxiety in a healthy way.
Have any questions? Send us a message!
Anxiety Serves A Purpose, But Severe Anxiety Can Be A Hindrance
Mild, occasional anxiety is intended to give you a temporary “boost” of energy to tackle a challenging situation. But in today’s society, countless people rely on this boost just to get through the day, and many have overextended themselves. Anxiety might be the “driver” in control of your life rather than a “passenger” that comes along for short journeys.
Juggling Many Roles In Life Can Lead To Stress And Burnout
Most people have to balance a few different roles in life that require varied obligations, like being a good spouse, a caring parent, a hardworking employee, and a compassionate volunteer. But saying “yes” to every new responsibility and trying to fill the shoes of yet another role can come at a personal cost. As you push yourself to meet another set of competing expectations, you might feel like you don’t recognize yourself anymore and that you’ve lost touch with who you truly are.
Yet it’s hard to escape this pressure. Being a “workaholic” is celebrated in our modern society. Furthermore, life transitions that create new obligations, like becoming a parent, can be both exciting and anxiety-inducing. The weight of cultural expectations around parenting can leave you stuck in a suffocating emotional state defined by fears of failure. For others, the pressure to date and get married in today’s society can be overwhelming and anxiety-inducing.
Wearing so many hats can take a toll on you and your loved ones. Therapy can help you recognize that you are more than the roles you’re expected to fulfill, and everyone in your life benefits when you start showing up as your authentic self.
In Therapy, You Can Unpack Anxiety And Gain Valuable Coping Skills
If you’ve been living with anxiety for a long time, you might be hesitant to pursue therapy and prioritize your own mental health. But you do not have to continue suffering on your own. Anxiety and burnout might be isolating you from others, and at Bloom Therapy, you’ll find support from a compassionate, qualified counselor who can provide an unbiased perspective and help you break free from the cycle of anxiety. Our bilingual therapists offer services in English and Spanish.
What To Expect In Anxiety Counseling Sessions
Your therapist will guide you along a journey of self-discovery. You’ll reflect on the root causes of the anxiety, determine the situations that trigger your symptoms, and expand your toolbox of coping skills. Over time, you’ll start identifying your triggers before you become emotionally overwhelmed so that you can take steps to calm yourself down and stay centered. Overall, your therapist will support you in becoming the best version of yourself, one session at a time.
Treatment Approaches For Anxiety Therapy
Your therapist will customize your treatment plan in therapy concerning your specific symptoms and goals. For example, your therapist can draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for anxiety to illustrate the connections between your thought patterns, emotions, and behaviors. You’ll become curious about the roots of the beliefs you hold that stem from anxiety and begin replacing them with beliefs that better serve you.
Through Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy for anxiety, you’ll identify the “parts” of yourself that aim to protect you through anxiety and address these feelings with a new understanding of their protective mechanism. Additionally, narrative therapy can help you rewrite the story you tell about yourself and shift your self-perception.
You and your therapist can also work through practical exercises that will help you apply valuable new skills outside of sessions. Let’s say you’d like to let go of people-pleasing tendencies, in which case, you can role-play conversations about setting boundaries. This will allow you to practice the language you use in advance and figure out how you’ll navigate establishing boundaries within different relationships.
You’ll also identify some forms of self-care that boost your mood and energy and come up with ways to integrate these practices into your life. We also emphasize mindfulness within our practice, and your therapist will guide you through meditation and deep breathing exercises.
Experiencing mild anxiety from time to time is normal, but if a severe anxiety disorder is preventing you from finding joy in your everyday life, therapy can help you get back in touch with everything that lifts your spirits. The right therapist can assist you in learning to regulate your emotions, protect your personal needs with healthy boundaries, and build stronger relationships by deepening your sense of self-worth.
But You May Still Have Questions About Anxiety Therapy…
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Anxiety can make you doubt your ability to learn new techniques for managing your symptoms. But we know that with support from a qualified therapist, you can grow in your confidence with these skills and apply them in your daily life. Using coping skills can transform your anxiety from an obstacle to an occasional “boost” that allows you to overcome challenges.
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At Bloom Therapy, we accept insurance from major providers, including Aetna, Cigna, Blue Shield of California, and Optum. If you have a PPO insurance plan, you may receive reimbursement for our services depending on your out-of-network provider benefits. Upon payment after each session, we can provide you with a bill that you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. Because coverage will vary based on your plan, we recommend calling your insurance provider prior to your first appointment for clarification.
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You might be nervous that talking about your experiences with anxiety in your first therapy session will feel like opening Pandora’s Box. But time and time again, we’ve seen our clients leave their first sessions feeling much lighter. Therapy grants you a space where you can express yourself honestly and enjoy confidentiality. You’ll see the benefits of releasing anxious thoughts and creating space for new feelings and beliefs.
You Can Build Confidence And Find Freedom From Anxiety In Therapy
If you’re ready to set strong boundaries and find lasting relief from anxiety, you may benefit from working with a therapist at Bloom. We encourage you to call our practice at 619-500-1843 or fill out the contact form on our website to schedule a free 15-minute consultation or book your first session.
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