Do you struggle to cope with stress? Have you had trouble setting boundaries in your life? Are you prone to worrying about minor inconveniences and situations that you know will not ultimately matter?
Maybe you feel like you’re juggling too many responsibilities, and sooner or later, you’re going to crumble under pressure. Perhaps you haven’t been advocating for yourself in your relationships because you’re anxious about telling people, “No.” Your anxiety clouds your focus and you have difficulty concentrating.
Anxiety Symptoms Can Affect Your Health And Relationships
If you’re suffering from anxiety, you might experience waves of sadness on top of your high stress levels. This condition can make you feel defeated, especially if your anxiety has deterred you from pursuing hobbies that you used to enjoy. You wish you had a more positive mindset, but your anxiety tells you to expect the worst, and you can’t seem to kick your pessimistic outlook.
Sometimes, anxious thoughts might keep you up at night, and other times you might feel so exhausted by stress that you oversleep. Anxiety can even change your appetite, prompting you to overeat or undereat as a coping mechanism for dealing with your stress.
Perhaps your social life has suffered because of anxiety. And some of your existing relationships might actually worsen your anxiety—you may have trouble establishing strong boundaries because you’re too worried about how others might react.
Your symptoms can affect every aspect of your life—even your faith. You may feel like you’re falling short in your relationship with God and worry that your anxiety symptoms mean that your faith is faltering. But with support from a Christian therapist, you can finally process your anxiety and begin living a genuinely happy life.
Everyone Experiences Anxiety, But Some People Suffer From it Chronically
Mild anxiety is a completely normal emotion. Everyone deals with anxiety from time to time, and in some ways, it can even be helpful. For instance, if someone feels anxious about an upcoming job interview, they might be motivated to spend more time preparing.
But someone who suffers from an anxiety disorder might feel like they’re standing in front of a huge mountain that they have no hope of climbing. Anxiety can be a chronic hindrance that holds them back from building the life they want. When this is the case, their anxiety is severe enough to warrant seeking professional help.
Our Culture Can Exacerbate Anxiety
Today, many people deal with anxiety simply because the demands of modern life are so unrelenting. Between work, school, family obligations, and other responsibilities, it’s tough to find time to relax and maintain realistic expectations.
Lots of people who live with anxiety feel ashamed. This shame discourages them from speaking up about their mental health. However, without help, overcoming anxiety is very difficult. If someone lacks healthy coping skills, it’s hard for them to process their feelings and resolve their symptoms. Their coping strategies may distract them from their anxiety without actually getting to the root of it.
And while many Christians turn to prayer and scripture when they’re dealing with stress, even people with deep faith can have a hard time opening up about their struggles with anxiety. They often fear that they will face judgment or even outright condemnation from their fellow Christians rather than being comforted with God’s grace.
But human beings are bound to stumble from time to time. We live in a world where sin is always present and we all need support to cope with the challenges we face. By working with a counselor who applies a faith-based approach to anxiety treatment, you can find peace again.
Anxiety Treatment Can Help You Let Go Of Your Worries
You might be worried that talking to a therapist about your mental health will feel uncomfortable. At Arise Christian Counseling, you can process your thoughts and emotions in therapy without feeling judged. You’re free to share anything that’s on your mind, from frustrating symptoms to the way that your anxiety has affected your faith or anything else that you want to talk about.
In counseling, you will learn practical solutions for managing your symptoms and dealing with stress. Furthermore, you’ll be able to find comfort and solace in your faith if you chose to incorporate it.
What To Expect In Anxiety Counseling Sessions
In your first session, we’ll talk about what brought you to therapy, what you hope to gain through anxiety treatment, and any previous experiences you’ve had with counseling. In counseling, we will talk about your history with anxiety, look at ways to help cope with anxiety, and examine the root cause of your anxiety.
Through therapy, you’ll develop concrete coping skills and practice establishing healthy boundaries in your life. You’ll also work on building your social support systems so that you can get more comfortable with asking for help when you’re struggling. No matter what you work on in therapy, you’ll be able to keep your eyes focused on everything that God is calling you towards.
Developing Your Anxiety Treatment Plan
I’ll design your unique treatment plan to be specific to you and your needs and goals. In other words, I’ll be there to listen to your concerns and guide your journey of self-discovery. You’ll develop a vision for your future and we’ll work on the skills and tools that you need to achieve it.
Through Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, you’ll analyze the negative beliefs that make you feel trapped and learn to establish healthier thought patterns. You can also break down the stories you tell yourself about your own life with narrative therapy and start considering alternative stories instead. Additionally, motivational interviewing can help you draw on internal motivation and come up with your own unique solutions, allowing your life to change for the better.
We’ll also work on strategies for overcoming anxiety in your daily life, such as breathing techniques that engage all five of your senses. I’ll help you discover healthy outlets for your emotions, like journaling, trying new hobbies, or self care. To the degree that you are comfortable with, we can look to Christ as a guiding light to help you along your path.
Over the past ten years, I have helped many clients heal their anxiety through therapy. If you feel like you will never be able to recover from anxiety, remember that peace is always possible. God has granted us the necessary tools to cope with stressors and anxiety. With guidance from a therapist, you can shift your mindset and develop the skills you need to heal from anxiety.
But You May Still Have Questions About Anxiety Treatment…
Can I really afford anxiety therapy?
Therapy is an investment in your mental health and wellbeing. Arise Christian Counseling accepts insurance, making therapy more affordable for many clients. But if you do not have insurance, please don’t hesitate to speak with me about your concerns. We can discuss options for easing your financial burden. Depending on your symptoms, you may not need to schedule sessions very frequently in order to make progress!
I’m nervous about sharing my personal struggles with a stranger.
It's normal to experience some initial awkwardness during your first therapy session. However, my goal is to establish a welcoming and comfortable environment where you can relax. Please know that I am here as a neutral and non-judgmental ally who can assist you in navigating life without any fear of condemnation. With time, you will feel more at ease and find it easier to open up during therapy sessions.
Am I suffering from anxiety because my faith isn’t strong enough?
Experiencing anxiety does not mean that you are failing as a Christian. It's important to recognize that none of us are without sin, and it is through our reliance on Christ that we navigate life's challenges. If you feel that your anxiety has led you away from God, remember that His grace is abundant. He works in various ways, and one of those ways is by placing individuals, including therapists, in your life to offer assistance and support. You are not alone in your journey, and seeking help is a positive step towards finding peace and strength in your faith.
You Can Live A Happier Life With Anxiety Treatment
If you’d like to find relief from clinical anxiety, I invite you to call 407-900-9756 to schedule your first session, you can reach out through the contact page on my website.
Do you have to be Christian to be seen?
No, it is not mandatory for individuals to be Christian to seek therapy at Arise. I use evidence-based approaches in my sessions that are applicable to people of all backgrounds, regardless of their faith. If you are open to incorporating your Christian beliefs into the therapy sessions, the extent to which we do so is up to you. Your preferences and comfort level will guide how we integrate your faith into the therapeutic process.
