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Holistic Therapy and Counseling for Anxiety in Kansas
What is Anxiety?
Most of the women I see live with some level of what would be considered "high functioning" anxiety.
In fact, anxiety is typically the symptom that brings most of my clients through the front (virtual) door.
Anxiety is considered "high functioning" when it doesn't significantly impair you in multiple areas of life or meet the diagnostic criteria for an anxiety disorder. But anyone who lives with high functioning anxiety can tell you, it sucks and the internal suffering is real.
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For the women I work with anxiety usually looks like...
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Online Therapy for Anxiety in Kansas
The confusing thing about high functioning anxiety is that some of the symptoms are actually "positive." For instance, being organized and detail-oriented, or punctual, or outgoing are usually adaptive, prosocial behaviors. But the problem for those with high functioning anxiety is that underlying and fueling this ultra put-together presentation is deep fear, low self-esteem, and/or shame. There is often an underlying belief that says some version of, "if I'm not perfect, then I'm not lovable."
Constantly trying to prove that voice wrong is exhausting and keeps us in a performance-anxiety cycle. This cycle tells us that if we just lose enough weight... or just get that position we've always wanted... or just get this certain person to love us... or [ fill in the blank with your story ], we'll finally be able to relax and feel "ok." But, as you might have discovered, when we're stuck in this cycle, no amount of achievement is ever enough.
The Link Between Childhood Trauma & Anxiety
Sometimes anxiety, perfectionism, and people-pleasing have their roots in trauma. For many of my clients their anxiety as an adult can be traced back to dynamics and relational trauma from childhood. This may have been obvious trauma, such as overt abuse or a specific traumatic incident, but just as often the trauma is less obvious. For instance, imagine a father who often resorts to the “silent treatment” as a means of punishment. The “silent treatment,” and other forms of subtle, emotionally abusive dynamics, can have far reaching impacts on our self-esteem as adults--especially for the highly sensitive. The process of investigating where we come from and how the dynamics in our family of origin impacted us can be a powerful step in the healing process. One of my passions is helping people integrate these early relational experiences in order to live more fully in the present. Revisiting and understanding our past can be a powerfully transformative process, and is often a necessary step along the way into fully individuating and becoming our truest, most authentic selves. |
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What's holding you back from anxiety therapy in Lawrence, Kansas?
Many of my clients grew up in families where they were seen as the "responsible" one, the "mature" one, the "strong" one, or the one who never needed anyone else. They are often the oldest child.
It can be really hard to ask for help when you grew up playing that role. You may understand intellectually that there is no shame in going to therapy, and you might even see therapy as a valuable form of self-care, but that old programming is still hard to move past.
I've been there myself, and I know how painful it is to constantly present as "fine" while dealing with so much unseen suffering on the inside. And I can tell you, you don't have to live like this. I've helped many people heal the wounds underlying their anxiety.
I'd love to help you heal what's underlying your anxiety in order to
access a whole new level of confidence and freedom.
access a whole new level of confidence and freedom.
Other Mental Health Services Offered by Sacred Circle Holistic Healing in Kansas
I offer therapy for those located in the state of Kansas and Holistic Life Coaching for those located outside the state of Kansas. In addition to helping people heal the wounds underlying their anxiety, I specialize in working with low self-esteem, narcissistic abuse recovery, childhood trauma, and high sensitivity. I help people overcome shame and the fear of being their true selves. Breaking the cycles of people-pleasing and self-abandonment is possible, and I'm here to help.
Reach out today to schedule your free 15 minute phone consultation. I'd love to hear from you!