Map Your Path to Acceptance & Peace
Our bodies and minds are created to protect us. Anxiety is an important aspect of experiencing a healthy range of emotions. Your mind may trigger an anxious response before important events, at times when you’re in danger, or in a variety of other typical situations. These feelings of anxiety have kept us safe and thriving for millennia. If you experience anxiety with no recognizable cause and it seems to have taken over your life, you may be experiencing anxiety disorder. The skilled team of clinicians at Stokes Counseling Services is here to help you take control of your situation and begin experiencing a healthier, more fulfilling daily life. Therapy is a great way to start understanding your anxiety and changing your experiences. The Stokes Counseling Services team provides therapy options for anxiety in our Naugatuck office, virtually using telehealth software, and in the home for those who are part of our FAM Program.
What is Anxiety?
Anxiety is an emotion characterized by an elevated sense of fear or dread. As we said, this is a healthy and natural response to many situations. An anxiety disorder occurs when you feel persistently anxious, your anxiety seems uncontrollable or overwhelming, or it interferes with your daily activities. Generalized anxiety is the predominant diagnosis, but there are also more specific forms of anxiety such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic attacks, social anxiety disorder, and agoraphobia. It’s important to understand that anxiety disorders are extremely serious conditions. Without treatment, chronic and long-lasting anxiety can lead to a number of conditions that impact the whole body, including elevated blood pressure (hypertension) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
When Should I Consider Counseling for Anxiety?
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental and behavioral health concerns impacting people in the U.S. With appropriate intervention, most people who struggle with anxiety disorders lead satisfying lives. Therapy should be an essential component of any treatment plan for anxiety disorders. Due to the physical symptoms associate with anxiety like racing heart, sweating, and difficulty breathing, many people visit a general practitioner first. Physicians are equipped to recognize the signs of anxiety, and they will often prescribe medications to help control the symptoms of this disorder. Counseling is necessary to address the underlying causes of your anxiety, help you develop coping strategies, and monitor and assess the impact of any medicinal interventions.
What Happens During Counseling for Anxiety?
The first step should be receiving an accurate diagnosis. The warning signs of anxiety can also be symptoms of other whole body and mental health conditions. Once we feel confident anxiety is the condition you’re struggling with, we begin by working with you to address the symptoms of anxiety for short-term relief and peace of mind. This may include partnering with a prescribing physician to provide appropriate medications.
During your initial session, we want to take the time to get to know you and fully understand your specific experiences with anxiety. Additionally, we’ll answer your questions to ensure you feel comfortable moving forward with therapy in partnership with your specific counselor. Finally, we want to set short and long-term goals and start providing the necessary tools for you to address anxiety.
Throughout the course of your continuing therapy sessions, your counselor may try a variety of different solutions-focused therapy methods to help you confront and work through generalized anxiety. During each session, you’ll likely begin by simply relating any instances of anxiety since your last visit. Then, your therapist will talk to you about the impact anxiety had on your daily routines and how you responded. Finally, the therapist may offer information about a specific coping technique, behavioral adjustment, or other strategy for you to try before your next appointment.
How do I Get Started?
To get started, simply give the Stokes Counseling Services team a call or complete our request form. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you have and schedule a first session for you in our Naugatuck office. We are also proud to offer telehealth counseling services online, if you would prefer to conduct your sessions virtually.