As you scroll through post after post on social media pages, or the next time you’re talking with friends, look for the word or bring up the topic of ‘anxiety’ and I can almost guarantee you’ll find yourself confronted by other people who seem to wear their own anxiety like a badge of honour.
From anxious school children all the way up to multi-millionaire CEOs, anxiety doesn’t discriminate. But at its core, anxiety can be reduced, diffused and managed quite effectively by means of tried and tested techniques that have spanned millennia.
Anxiety, the fear of something that may or may not happen in the future, throws challenges at us all in a variety of different ways.
As an Anxiety Treatment Specialist, upon hearing or reading about others’ anxiety, my mind kicks into over-drive with solution after solution to the many issues. However, even if a solution is presented, some people are reluctant to take steps towards their own recovery.
I researched this reluctancy and noticed a reoccurring variety of concerns or reservations about therapy for anxiety, including…
- Stigma | The fear of being judged or shamed for seeking therapy
Mental health stigma sadly does exist; we worry about how others will perceive us if we disclose that we’re in therapy. This applies predominantly to those often in the public eye. - Effectiveness | Doubting the effectiveness of therapy in managing or diffusing anxiety
We may question whether therapy can really help is, particularly if we’ve tried other treatments in the past without success. - Fear of opening up | Admitting our personal feelings and experiences is intimidating
We worry about feeling vulnerable or uncomfortable discussing our anxiety with a therapist, especially if we find it difficult to trust others. - Cost and accessibility | Therapy’s perceived cost and accessibility is a significant barrier
We may worry about the financial stress of long-term therapy or struggle to find therapists who are available, affordable or covered by health insurance. - Time | Therapy often requires a commitment of time and effort
This can be challenging for those of us with busy schedules or multiple responsibilities. We may worry about fitting therapy sessions into our seemingly hectic routines. - Fear of change | When anxiety becomes familiar and comfortable
The idea of change can be unsettling, and we may worry about losing our sense of identity or adapting to new coping strategies. - Lack of trust | Successful therapy means trusting a therapist to form a healing partnership
Those of us who have had negative experiences with therapists in the past may hesitate to engage in therapy again.
Open communication and understanding can help alleviate these concerns and encourage individuals to explore therapy as a viable option for managing anxiety.
Here’s how I’d address each of the above concerns…
- Stigma | The fear of being judged or shamed for seeking therapy
I adhere to ‘Absolute Client Confidentiality’. This means that at no point will any personal information be disclosed to anyone else, at any time, other than the therapist (me) and the client – unless a client is suspected to be of harm to themselves/ others or on production of a subpoena from a court of law.
It is entirely up to you to decide to inform others about your journey through therapy, and a competent therapist will give you the necessary confidence you need to dramatically reduce your worry of what other people may think.
By teaching techniques of stress reduction, emotional baggage release and on-demand confidence boosts, you will be fully equipped to sing from the rooftops about how your old anxieties do not figure within your thoughts anymore. - Effectiveness | Doubting the effectiveness of therapy in managing or diffusing anxiety
Many times I have been called a ‘Final Hope’. You have tried other therapies and for some reason they have not worked. This is why I deliver a Free Consultation before therapy of any kind begins.
There are different techniques to suit different people, no two journeys are the same. So, at a consultation stage, we would speak in-depth about what my clients have tried before, how successfully it worked, why it may have not been effective for some and how we overcame that hurdle.
In the past, have recommended other therapists and treatment options, if I felt that my services were unsuitable. - Fear of opening up | Admitting our personal feelings and experiences is intimidating
You may be shocked to discover how common this reason presents as an excuse. It’s understandable to be hesitant to talk about very personal information that you may have never told anyone before.
But only by revealing all aspects of a challenge, can the challenge be successfully navigated. On many occasions a client has withheld pertinent information that I have later deduced. Sometimes because the client didn’t realise the significance of the information and sometimes through embarrassment.
But as our time together progresses, and trust is earned, it becomes much easier to realise how open and non-judgmental conversations can rapidly advance the clients’ progress. - Cost and accessibility | Therapy’s perceived cost and accessibility is a significant barrier
Therapy can be very expensive; a celebrity coach may charge thousands of dollars per session and other therapists may give their time for free.
This is why I provide treatment options for any financial status. Services range from free advice and meditation downloads, to personalised audio products and ‘live’ online sessions.
My service is available to anyone that needs help. - Time | Therapy often requires a commitment of time and effort
Any change requires effort. It’s unfortunate that nowadays change has been linked to ‘taking medication’ and not updating your bad habits which caused the bad results.
As a comparison, my clients report that they have seen counselors, psychologists or other practitioners weekly, fortnightly or monthly over a stretch of up to a few years.
I provide 4 individual session, each lasting one hour, each followed up with an audio recording of the technique taught while in session – plus priority responses by phone and email for clients.
Can you spare 4 hours of your life, to change thoughts and behaviors, so you may enjoy the rest of your life? - Fear of change | When anxiety becomes familiar and comfortable
Change feels different, and ‘different’ may initially feel uncomfortable because it brings with it a sense of the unknown. However, during the therapy process we openly discuss change, what it looks like, feels like and how behavior can adapt in order to enjoy change. Change brings success – and we rehearse that success together with various techniques. - Lack of trust | Successful therapy means trusting a therapist to form a healing partnership
Understandably, when negative things happen, we brace ourselves in case it happens again. Perhaps some of us will even avoid the old negative situation. This is why it is important to have the initial free consultation chat, so that we both can discover if we’re comfortable and a good fit.
I have referred clients onward if I felt I could not work successfully with them, and I have had clients decide not to pursue therapy with me ( I have a story about that – just ask me ). No offence taken and no problem at all.
Success is what I wish for anyone that inquires about my services. If we don’t see eye to eye – I still wish you the very best of success.
Naturally, all of what I’ve just written can be discussed in greater detail, without any obligation to proceed into therapy by booking yourself a FREE CONSULTATION 30 minute online chat with me.
Now tell me, what are you waiting for?