When your mind won't slow down and your body won't settle
Maybe you have tried everything you can think of to manage your anxiety. You tell yourself to stop worrying, try to think more positively, distract yourself, or remind yourself that everything is okay.
But your mind keeps going.
You replay conversations, question decisions, anticipate what could go wrong, and try to prepare for every possible outcome. You may know you are overthinking, but knowing that does not make it stop.
Sometimes anxiety shows up in your body instead. You feel tense, restless, on edge, or unable to relax. You may lie awake at night because your mind will not settle, even though you are exhausted.
If you could stop worrying, you would have already.
When Anxiety Becomes Panic
Sometimes anxiety builds gradually. Other times, panic seems to come out of nowhere.
Your heart starts racing. Your chest feels tight. Your breathing changes. You may feel dizzy, shaky, nauseous, lightheaded, or suddenly overwhelmed by fear.
You may wonder, What is happening to me?
Afterward, you may become afraid of having another panic attack. You start watching your body for signs that it is happening again and may begin avoiding places or situations where you are afraid you will panic.
Panic can begin to control your life long after the actual episode is over.
In therapy, I work with you to regulate the panic response.
We slow things down, work with what is happening in your body, and help you become more grounded as your nervous system becomes activated.
We also explore what may be contributing to the panic so you can understand your responses rather than feeling controlled by them.
Your Anxiety May Have a Reason
Sometimes anxiety is connected to what you have lived through.
Maybe you learned to watch other people's moods, avoid conflict, keep the peace, get things right, or take responsibility for how everyone else feels.
Maybe you experienced trauma, unpredictable relationships, betrayal, criticism, or emotional pain.
Or maybe there is no single experience you can point to. You learned to stay alert.
You learned to anticipate, prepare, control, or worry because those responses helped you cope at some point.
Your mind and body may still be responding to what they learned was necessary to keep you safe.
How I Help
In therapy, we look at more than the anxious thought.
We explore:
• What happens in your body when anxiety rises
• What you are afraid might happen
• What you feel you need to control, avoid, or prevent
• The patterns you have developed to feel safe
• Experiences that may still be affecting you
And we pay attention to what happens in the room.
Depending on what you need, therapy may include nervous system regulation, skill building, attachment based work, EMDR, and trauma processing.
The goal is not to eliminate every anxious thought, it's to help you feel more grounded, understand your responses, trust yourself more, and have greater choice in how you respond.
What Could Change?
You may begin to:
• Make decisions without constantly second guessing yourself
• Experience uncertainty without needing immediate reassurance
• Have difficult conversations without rehearsing every possible outcome
• Notice anxiety without automatically reacting to it
• Feel more capable when panic or strong emotions arise
• Set boundaries without feeling responsible for everyone else's reaction
• Feel more present instead of constantly anticipating what could go wrong
You do not have to spend your life trying to outthink your anxiety.
There is another way to work with it.
Working Together
Starting therapy can feel vulnerable, especially when you have spent a long time managing things on your own.
You do not need to know exactly what is wrong or have the right words to explain it. Tell me what has been happening, and we can start there.
My approach is warm, steady, and trauma informed. I want to understand not only what you are experiencing now, but what you have been through and what your mind and body may still be responding to.
Choosing a counsellor is an important decision. I welcome you to book a complimentary 15-minute consultation where we can talk about what you are hoping for, answer any questions you may have, and see if working together feels like the right fit.
You can use the contact form to request:
A) A free consultation, or
B) If you are ready to book a session, a booking link.
** All sessions are offered online, including EMDR therapy. This means you can meet with me from home, while you’re on vacation, at work, or even from your car.