therapy

Anxiety's Many Forms

The world today is engineered to give people anxiety. We all face constant pressure from work, family, friends, and social media. On top of that, in today’s political climate it is easy to feel a stressed. Anxiety can take many forms, and we can work together to help you address your issues with anxiety so that you can live a more engaged life. Here are just a few types of anxiety that I help treat:


Feeling Out of Control

Feeling out of control can lead to obsessive thoughts, unhealthy ways of coping, and efforts to micro-manage your life or your partner’s life. This type of anxiety takes away from being in the present moment, feeling connected, being able to rest, and enjoying your life. Through the use of talk therapy and mind-body approaches, such as yoga and mindfulness, we will work to help you feel centered and able to manage this anxiety.

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Social Anxiety

Maybe you feel anxious in crowds or talking to other people. You might feel trapped and overwhelmed by your own emotions. Together we can work to help you feel more comfortable in social situations. You will learn skills to help you manage stress and navigate difficult interactions. I will work with you to move towards whatever social life you desire.

Professional Anxiety

You may feel that you are never working enough, studying enough, and are never smart enough. Emails arrive at 11pm on a Saturday and you feel pressured to answer them, worrying that you will be viewed negatively if you wait until Monday. In therapy you can learn new ways to set boundaries and stick to them as well as healthy coping skills for professional stress. When you feel better you can perform better at work or school, while staying focused on your professional goals.

4 Common Reasons Couples Start Therapy

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When you have problems in your relationship it can feel like your whole world is crumbling. You feel disconnected emotionally and physically. Old wounds and disagreements get in the way when you do try to connect.

You spend your evenings scrolling through Facebook until one of you falls asleep. In fact, you rarely touch or talk openly anymore. You didn’t sign up for a roommate, you wanted a partner in life and love. Maybe you don’t even want to tell your friends or family what is going on. You are sad, ashamed, and desperate for a change.

You don't want to become another divorce statistic, you want to grow together, not apart. When you picture your relationship in 10 years, you imagine happiness, calm, and connection. Your partner encourages and supports your dreams, and you do the same for them. You have a fulfilling life built upon a foundation of mutual love and understanding.

This blog post explores 4 common reasons that many couples that I see begin therapy. While every couple is unique, it is easy to fall into a few common and unhealthy patterns.


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DIFFICULTY COMMUNICATING

Have you and you partner been fighting about the same thing over and over for what seems like years? You feel like your partner isn’t really listening to you. When you do try to talk about your concerns they get defensive and hostile, or they just shut down completely.

We will identify your communication patterns using The Gottman Method, explore how these are negatively affecting your relationship, and figure out what you can do to foster healthier communication, openness, and understanding.

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DISCONNECTION

You feel like you are your partner are living on different planets. The more you try to talk and connect, the more they withdraw. Right now you feel hopeless, like maybe your relationship isn’t worth saving. Your passion is gone, and you don’t know how to fix it.

You want to feel that strong bond like when you first got together, sharing quality time and moments of deep care and attention. In therapy, we will work on fostering your bond, and re-building your meaningful connection.

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TRUST & INFIDELITY ISSUES

A breach of trust in your relationship is often gut-wrenching and unexpected. You feel violated and start to question everything. You feel like you don’t even know the person sitting next to you.

Therapy individually or as a couple can help you process some of the shame, guilt, and disappointment that arises from infidelity. You can work to re-establish trust and reconnect. In doing so you can make an informed decision about the future of your relationship.

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SUBSTANCE USE & ADDICTION

If you or your partner struggles with addiction, or is in recovery from addiction, you face a different set of challenges in your relationship.

As the partner of an addicted person you worry about your partner’s ability to keep it all together. You might even hide your feelings from them, out of fear of setting off a bender or relapse. The addicted partner feels constantly pressured and monitored. They feel scared of what the future holds, worried they might slip up, and that you might leave them.

This dynamic makes it hard for you to connect emotionally or physically. I work with you individually or as a couple to understand addiction. We focus on developing healthier habits and new ways to support each other, with the goal of re-establishing trust and open communication.

In addition to my training as a Marriage and Family Therapist, I hold a Graduate Certificate in Addictions Counseling, making me uniquely qualified to work with couples managing addictIon and substance use.