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Anxiety 

When a threat is perceived, the body’s natural "fight or flight" response activates to protect against danger. This sense of danger - or anxiety - is a normal reaction to perceived threats and can be helpful in some situations.

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The challenge is that the mind can misinterpret situations, causing anxiety to become excessive and debilitating. Even without actual danger, the mind and body may still react as though there is a threat.- in other words, a "false alarm."

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Anxiety can involve overthinking, excessive worrying, restlessness, avoidance of certain places or situations, irritability, difficulty concentrating and physical symptoms.

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While the mind is wired to protect you from threats, the intensity of the response does not always align with the actual level of danger.

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How I Can Help with Anxiety 

My approach to treating anxiety is grounded in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), both are evidence-based and action-oriented therapies that have been proven effective in managing anxiety. 

Living with anxiety can be tough! But it doesn't have to prevent you from living a full life. By integrating ACT and ERP, you’ll learn to respond more flexibly to thoughts and feelings, cultivate clarity and courage to change what can be changed and move toward what truly matters to you, even in the face of anxiety.

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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)​​

ACT is a trans-diagnostic treatment, meaning it has been found to be helpful across a variety of diagnoses and shares roots with Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT).  ACT is built around three core principles.

  • First, ACT is grounded in the understanding  that some things are beyond our personal control and that trying to control or avoid them only leads to unnecessary suffering. ACT isn’t about giving up or giving in, but encourages you to embrace all aspects of your experience, allowing more space and energy to move forward.

  • ACT invites a discovery, or rediscovery, of what truly matters and what you want your life to stand for. Having a clear sense of what matters most can make it easier to lean into the anxiety and discomfort, knowing that embracing the pain brings you closer to what’s truly important to you.

  • Finally, ACT emphasizes commitment and intentional action towards living a valued life, even when faced with difficult or uncomfortable experiences​. Moving towards what's important isn't easy, but most things that are worthwhile aren’t always easy. 

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Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)​​

ERP is the practice of gradually and intentionally confronting anxiety provoking situations, either in real life or by imagining them, while resisting the urge to avoid or engage in safety behaviors that would ordinarily offer temporary relief. 

  • ​Instead of reacting to anxious thoughts or situations with avoidance or safety behaviors, ERP helps you confront them directly, teaching you that you are capable of handling discomfort and that fear doesn’t need to dictate your life.​

  • It’s important to remember that ERP isn’t about "getting rid of" anxiety—it’s about learning to live with it, respond to it in more helpful ways and still move forward with your life.

  • ERP takes practice and it’s a collaborative process that is always your decision and driven by your goals.​​​​

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