Counseling

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I have changed my relationship with anxiety, shame, depression, and associated thoughts and behaviors. Anxiety can come with worrisome, fearful, or nervousness about situations or events that may or may not occur. It can be fear of not being good enough, fear of belonging, or a fear of loneliness. It can also be a fear of making a mistake or failure, fear of not being able to protect someone, fear of not being successful, or fear of losing control. 

Anxiety can help protect us and, yet it can keep become so intense that we begin living in a world of "What if", keeping us from being present. It can be overwhelming where we avoid certain people or situations. It can cause a loss in concentration, disrupt our sleep, and keep us restless and on edge. Anxiety tends to cause physical sensations that are unique to each individual like a racing heart ready to explode, tightness or gasping for breath, sweating, dizziness, trembling or shaking, or stomach issues that can lead to internal bowel syndrome (IBS). 

Persistent sadness or feelings of emptiness can appear with depression. There can be thoughts of hopelessness, worthlessness, shame, and self-blame leading to changes in eating habits and a lack of energy or fatigue. Anxiety and depression are distinct and often occur together. Where the constant worry and fear of anxiety can lead to hopelessness. Or negative thoughts and feeling of depression can lead to overwhelm.

These symptoms may seem so intense and yet in an odd way they are opportunities. These anxious parts of ourselves are our body's way of trying to tell us something is not aligned. My hope is to help you unpack your individual experience of anxiety and depression, how it impacts your daily life, and your relationship with others. Let's listen carefully to the messages of anxiety and how it has served you in the past, and look for new ways to transition forward. 

Life transitions are significant changes or shifts in a person’s life that can impact their roles, relationships, and experiences. These transitions can mark important milestones or changes in your personal or professional life. They can be planned or unexpected, and they may involve adjustments in various aspects of life, including identity, behavior, or environment.  

Transitions can be positive and negative, full of stress, uncertainty, grief, excitement, and and they often require us to adapt to new circumstances, which can bring about stress or emotional challenges. Yet, transitions are also moments for growth, learning, and personal development. What transition are you moving through?

• Adolescence to young adulthood or becoming an older adult
• Relationship transitions; start or ending romantic relationship, marriage, or divorce 
• Parenthood
• Career transitions; graduation, entering workforce, changing jobs, or retirement
• Physical health changes
• Social transitions

Moving to a new city is difficult and moving to a new country can feel overwhelming. Cultural shock is a real thing. It can feel like your world has turned upside down for yourself and your family. Cultural differences challenge our usual ways of thinking, behaving, and interacting with others. Whether you have moved to this country as an expat or as a more permanent move you can experience emotional and psychological reactions like confusion, homesickness, anxiety, or feeling of isolation. At times physical symptoms may occur such as fatigue, sleep disturbance, or appetite changes. 

Culture shock can be experienced in and out of different stages. In the beginning everything may seem exciting and new. During this Honeymoon Phase a person is fascinated by the differences and enjoys discovering a new culture. As time goes on a Frustration Phase bubbles up. Novelty of the new country wears off, and you may start to feel overwhelmed by differences, leading to frustration, confusion, and emotional strain. An Adjustment Phase gradually develops and you start to adapt to the new culture. Over time, a Mastery Phase emerges and you become more comfortable in the new environment and can function effectively, having integrated aspects of the new culture into your own life,.

In addition, each individual within a family can experience these phases at different times in the transition. Let's unpack your experience and how to support each family member, no matter which phase they fall. 

Grief and loss can be one of life's most difficult experiences. This is a time when you may feel emotional, mental, and physical effects of losing someone or something significant in their lives. Loss can take many forms, including the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, the loss of a job, or even the loss of health or a lifestyle. 

Grief can feel overwhelming or persistent, lasting longer than expected or becoming more intense over time. At times people feel stuck in the grief process, unable to move forward.  My hope is to help you heal and find ways to move forward while honoring the memory or significance of what was lost.