Anxiety — Clear Minds Counseling NY

Your path to inner calm

In the fast-paced and demanding world we live in, anxiety has become an all-too-familiar companion for many individuals. Anxiety is a normal emotion when it is temporary. When it is unable to be managed and starts to interfere with your enjoyment of life and functioning, you need to intervene. Have you recognized any of these symptoms of anxiety?

You find yourself grappling with overwhelming worry, fear, or persistent stress?

Do you ask yourself “Will I ever be able to control my anxiety?” or “What will people think of me?”

Do you worry that you are not doing something well enough or that you are being judged or criticized?

Do you dread meeting new people or avoid certain places?

Are you having trouble falling or staying asleep as you replay the day’s events, wondering what you could do differently?

Anxiety is more than just a passing worry. It impacts not only your thoughts, but also your emotions and physical well-being. Anxiety is a valid and human response to life's uncertainties, and our approach is rooted in destigmatizing this common experience. Rather than viewing anxiety as a flaw, maybe see it as a signal that your mind and body are communicating a need for attention and care.

You might be envisioning a future where your anxiety symptoms no longer hold you captive, a future where you wake up with a sense of calm, joy and purpose. A time where you can face challenges with confidence and peace. With anxiety treatment at Clear Minds Counseling NY, I understand the unique challenges that anxiety presents, and I’m here to guide you on a journey toward inner calm and resilience.

You Are Not Alone

While anxiety may have played a significant role in your life, it does not define you. It may at times have felt like the weight of anxiety has been on your shoulders and you have tried to muddle through your day, hoping it would get better, but that takes a toll on you. You may have believed that you were probably the only one who was struggling with these thoughts or emotions.

Anxiety is more common than you think. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health condition in the United States, affecting nearly 20% of the country, but only a small number of people actually receive appropriate anxiety treatment. There are several factors that affect this, maybe for you too. People fear judgment from others, compare themselves to others, they may feel “crazy” and all these thoughts can lead to isolation or not seeking out anxiety therapy.

No two individuals experience anxiety symptoms in the same way. You may talk with someone you know and ask about their experience and feel even worse when you find your situation is not similar. Some days you might have constant thoughts and fears and other days, your outlook might not seem as bleak. Many people only have intense social anxiety when they are in specific situations or in group settings, fearing what others think about them. These thoughts are generally negative and usually prevent participation in activities, thereby creating isolation.

For others, perfectionism gets in the way of feeling calm and relaxed. You may become fearful about your performance at school or work, questioning each move you make, so much so that your procrastination becomes paralyzing. This type of performance anxiety is due to the pressure one puts on themselves and the fear of failure or criticism which creates a lot of stress in one’s life.

Living with anxiety can also affect one’s physical health by weakening their immune system and raising cortisol levels (stress hormone) or affecting their eating and sleeping habits. Have you noticed changes in your ability to rest and nourish yourself? Sometimes, you may develop a nervous habit such as picking at your skin or nail biting to soothe yourself. Others may experience a panic attack or have difficulty breathing and concentrating.

In your journey toward inner calm, we work collaboratively with you to understand the specific triggers, thought patterns, and behaviors contributing to your anxiety. In the more than 25 years that I have been practicing, I have never seen a person who was committed to their anxiety treatment fail to make any strides in their progress. There may be times that a person can have setbacks, but that does not diminish their successes and we have been able to identify ways to return to the planned direction.

How Anxiety Therapy Can Help

Anxiety treatment can be a powerful and effective resource when you are struggling with worry, fear, panic or indecision. You may be having a hard time navigating your relationships, your responsibilities, or your positive mindset and as a result, your self-esteem is suffering as well. Your body may have difficulty turning off at night because your brain works overtime.

We will work together to restore a healthier balance between your mental and physical well-being by incorporating some lifestyle changes, relaxation techniques and stress reduction techniques. Tension, fatigue and stress caused by anxiety will take a physical toll on your well-being and we want to give you a foundation for longer lasting success.

We will address your negative thinking and develop more balanced and realistic perspectives on your thoughts and fears. There are times you might be engaged in a breathing or grounding exercise to help reduce some physiological symptoms (racing heart, muscle tension). Over time, you will learn practical coping strategies to reduce anxiety for when you are in social situations or have to communicate with someone that causes you a stressful reaction.

With anxiety counseling, you will gain a deeper understanding of your personal triggers, thought patterns and behaviors. This will lead to increased self-awareness and insight. You will learn to navigate and manage emotions effectively, fostering emotional resilience in the face of life’s challenges.

There are some occasions when people may require the use of anxiety medication to assist in their treatment. I can make the appropriate referral to a specialist for evaluation if this is deemed necessary. Your treatment here is tailor specific to you and your needs and situation. I specialize in unraveling the threads of your thoughts and emotions, but at your pace. You will be offered a compassionate space where your questions are not only heard but deeply understood.

Taking the First Step

Embarking on the journey towards anxiety relief is a courageous and transformative decision. I recognize the courage it takes to take the first step and seek support but it’s natural you may still have some questions.

Does therapy really work or is it a temporary solution?

There is plenty of research showing that anxiety therapy is extremely effective. It does not change who you are, but it helps you to learn new tools to manage your anxiety, find relief and to improve your overall well-being. You will need to keep utilizing the tools you have learned to avoid repeating old patterns.

What if I don’t see progress as quickly as I was expecting?

Everyone’s journey is individual, and you will go at your own pace. We will establish some initial goals for you when you begin but there is no timeline for how quickly you achieve them. When you don’t think something is going right for you, it’s best to speak up and we can address it and find solutions.

I’m worried about being judged for my thoughts.

You may have this worry in other areas of your life as well. Therapists are here to help, not judge. Your experiences and feelings are valid. Therapy is a space where you can express yourself without fear of criticism.

Curious about what Anxiety Therapy might do for you?

Take the next step and get support to alleviate the distress of anxiety in your life. Reach out today for a free consultation and we can get started to see if we are a good fit. In-person and on-line sessions are available in Plainview, NY.

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