I don’t actually place too much stock in New Year’s resolutions. In the past when I have, they are usually too big or not sustainable, and by January 31, I’m like meh. This sucks and I don’t want to do it any more. So then I let the unmet goals go until the angst over not getting enough exercise or being unable to wear the clothes that are two sizes past creep up and make me feel defeated again. This is the hamster wheel of my own anxiety spinning around in my head. It can turn into a bad case of the “What ifs” if I don’t follow my own advice. You know, doctor, heal thyself. So I make sure set goals I can achieve, I get competent help, and I pay attention to self care. All of that allows me to do what I do best, which is to help you tame your anxiety. But if you are feeling a little shy about seeking help, or unsure of what to expect in therapy, please let me demystify it for you.
What?! 400 Different types?
With the over 400 different schools and models of therapy that exist, how the heck do you decide what works? Even the therapists can’t agree. They can’t even agree on any meaningful distinction between the terms psychotherapy and counseling. Everyone has a unique issue, even when the overall problem has the same label, like anxiety.
Frankly most people don’t know or care what therapeutic approach is used, and they don’t have to. Clients do not call me up and ask, by the way, what model of therapy do you use? They only know what works and they can feel it working when it does. You experience the change that is happening in your life, often within a few weeks.
How Do I Tame Anxiety?
There are many ways to tackle anxiety and the insidious ways it can morph into depression, but when we set out to tame your anxiety, we always tackle three components: the physical, the emotional and your thoughts. Here are six ways I help you learn to figure out and manage all three.
- I teach self-calming skills and help you set achievable goals
- I skip the psychobabble, and teach you more helpful thinking styles
- I don’t dwell too much in your past, keeping your focus on future choices
- I help you find your own, perhaps forgotten, inner resources
- I have the skills to help you achieve a deep state of relaxation for fast, effective work
- I assign helpful outside-the-session experiments or homework
Whether you struggle with the fear of what others think, losing someone if you don’t please them enough, or you feel like a freak because of some fear you can’t seem to conquer, I’ve got you.
Did you know that worry is about a misuse of your imagination? That’s right. You are either spending time focused on the fear of what might happen in the future, or you are ruminating about something that has already occurred, and how it might impact you or someone you care about. That is instead of focusing your creativity on potential solutions, or understanding that some issues are simply not solvable, and you must learn to increase your “worry tolerance.” It is literally a waste of your creative powers.
Are You Ready?
The new year is a great time to work on making the changes in your life that will move you forward. So call me or shoot me an email and let’s figure out what taming your anxiety might look like!
Page Rutledge, LCSW, MSW, MPH is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker practicing in Wilmington, NC. She specializes in anxiety management and couples communication. Visit her website and blog at www.pagerutledge.com
