Anxiety Counselling & Therapy

Simply put, anxiety is what we feel when we are scared and think that something bad might happen. But it’s not that simple, is it?

It’s one thing when natural anxiety warns you of danger but totally different when it completely takes over your life – especially when there really is no threat to be scared of.

If you find this fear is getting in the way of living a happy and healthy life, it may be time to learn more about what anxiety is and seek treatment for the symptoms.

I offer anxiety treatment and counselling for clients at my three offices in Burlington, Hamilton, and Stoney Creek, as well as online via virtual counselling.

What Are the Symptoms of Anxiety?

Anxiety comes with a grab bag of symptoms that is unique to everyone who suffers from it. Generally speaking, however, anxiety affects us in three ways:

Mind: Anxiety happens when we have thoughts of something bad about to happen.
Body: Physically, your body will prepare to fight, flee or freeze. This may involve an increased
heart rate, loss of breath, feeling hot and sweaty, shaking and/or having an upset stomach.
Action: Anxiety creates the feeling of being threatened and you will naturally react in a way that “protects” you from the threat. You may act out and talk back (fight), avoid the situation (flight) or do nothing (freeze).

It’s all well and good when these symptoms protect us from an actual threat but for those who deal with anxiety on a regular basis, there is often no concrete danger and these symptoms can become debilitating.

Are There Different Types of Anxiety?

There are five major types on anxiety disorders that affect individuals far beyond the natural anxiety felt in reaction to fear or danger.

1. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

This form of anxiety is characterized by chronic anxiety as well as exaggerated worry and tension -especially when there is little or nothing to provoke it.

2. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive-compulsive disorder involves having unwanted and recurring thoughts (obsessions) and/or repetitive behaviours (compulsions). Performing repetitive rituals, such as constant counting, checking or cleaning, only provides temporary relief while not performing them increases anxiety.

3. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

When individuals experience a terrifying event or situation, they may develop PTSD. This type of anxiety is triggered when the individual experiences an ordeal similar to the one that caused them so much fear and/or pain.

4. Panic Disorder

While GAD tends to primarily affect individuals mentally, panic disorder is characterized by unexpected and repeated episodes of fear paired with intense physical symptoms such as chest pains, heart flutters and dizziness.

5. Social Anxiety Disorder

Also known as Social Phobia, this form of anxiety happens in everyday social situations and can result in overwhelming anxiety and excessive self-consciousness. It can be limited to one type of social situation (such as public speaking) or broad enough that an individual experiences the symptoms whenever they are around other people.

When Should I Seek Help for Anxiety?

The short answer to that question is to seek help for anxiety as soon as your anxiety begins to impede the functioning of your everyday life.

Is your anxiety affecting your family? Your social connections? Your sleep? Your eating? Your ability to work or concentrate?

There is a line between normal anxiety and fear and excessive anxiety. Once that fear begins to impair your life, it’s time to get the help you need and deserve in order to live a happy and fulfilling life.

Treatment Methods for Anxiety

Yes, you can medicate yourself to treat anxiety – but no pill is going to get to the core cause of your intense and constant fear.

With my attachment-based therapy, I can help you develop a sense of self-awareness that will help you take control of your life and face your anxiety with strength and confidence.

I can help you reframe and shape your thoughts to reprogram your brain to change your beliefs and conquer your anxiety. I have three convenient locations in Stoney Creek, Hamilton, and Burlington to best serve my clients. I also offer online counselling for those who cannot or prefer not to visit me in person.

Contact me today for more information!

It's so easy to talk to you because you've been there, you know what I'm going through, you know how much it hurts, and I can see that. You're not dispensing advice from the top of some ivory tower, you're in the trenches with me showing me the way forward.

RachelFormer Client

Client Testimonials

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