Anxiety Therapy in Chicago

First & foremost, let’s just name it… Anxiety is a pain! Right? It gets in the way of you relaxing, enjoying your friends, your career, and YOUR LIFE!

In the Therapy Space, Anxiety gets described like this… “Anxiety is a feeling of worry, nervousness, or fear about an event or situation,” according to the Department of Health and Human Services.

Bottom Line: Anxiety is a natural part of life and actually serves a very important purpose. We are wired to survey our environment for threats. Think primitive… We see a tiger, adrenaline kicks in. We seek protection & safety. It’s what has kept us alive as a species. When our brains detect a threat, we often go into Fight-Flight-Freeze, right?!

“Fight - Flight - Freeze” is our Sympathetic Nervous System activating. It’s our brain’s attempt to protect us and really is our brain’s attempt to keep us alive. We either fight the threat, flee the threat or “play dead” so that the threat will retreat. When we think TIGER, the fight - flight - freeze response makes more sense, given that the threat of a tiger is real.

Anxiety serves another purpose, as well — it helps you strive for more. Anxiety motivates you to study harder for an exam. It propels you to stay attentive to a challenging situation at work. It drives you to get those extra training runs in for that marathon. It compels you to “do the work” in a valued relationship.

But, if Anxiety begins to interfere with your daily life, it can be problematic. If it’s getting in the way of you speaking up in an important meeting, answering your professor’s questions in your marketing class, or initiating a difficult convo with a friend or your boo… — if it’s getting in the way of you enjoying your life it may be a good time to reach out for support.

Nearly 1 in 5 adults are impacted by Anxiety Disorders in the United States and women are twice as likely as men to experience an anxiety disorder.

We specialize in helping women, just like you, address the root cause of anxiety and equip you with the tools for overcoming it. These strategies are accessible and easy to implement.

Our method blends Solution-Focused, Mindfulness-Based approaches, and incorporates CBT, ACT & IFS frameworks. Together, we'll craft a wellness plan tailored just for you, building on strategies that resonate with you and work for you.

Our collaboration can offer you the relief you've been longing for.

Anxiety can show up & manifest in a number of ways.

Anxiety often feels like…

• Complete Overwhelm

• Something bad is going to happen

• A vague sense of uneasiness or dread

• Worrying that people are upset or disappointed with you

• Worrying that people don’t like you or are judging you

• “Analysis paralysis” & over thinking

• Feeling like your thoughts are “spinning” or “racing”

• Fear that you won’t achieve your goals & dreams

• Difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep

• Frequent bouts of worry or fear

• Tearfulness
  
  

Anxiety Counseling can help! Understanding the triggers for your anxiety, learning coping strategies and developing coping skills can empower you and lead you to a place of calm even in the midst of “the storm.”

We’ll teach you how to "observe" your thoughts and feelings vs. attaching to or acting on them. Game changer!!

You’ll learn how to name & move through the discomfort more easily and because of this, you’ll be able to enjoy your life more fully!

The symptoms of anxiety can show up & manifest in any number of ways…AND it can look different for different people.

Here are some common symptoms you may experience if you are dealing with anxiety:

Physical symptoms can include:

• Heart palpitations or a racing heart

• Sweating

• Trembling or shaking

• Shortness of breath or a feeling of choking

• Chest pain or discomfort

• Nausea or stomach discomfort

• Dizziness or light-headedness

• Feeling hot or cold

• Numbness or tingling sensations

• Feeling detached

  Cognitive and emotional symptoms can include:

• Feeling restless, wound-up, or on-edge

• Feeling easily fatigued

• Difficulty concentrating; mind going blank

• Irritability

• Muscle tension

• Difficulty controlling feelings of worry

• Insomnia - Difficulty falling or staying asleep, restlessness, or unsatisfying sleep
  
  Behavioral symptoms can include:
  

• Avoidance of situations that cause anxiety

• Seeking reassurance from others

• Difficulty making decisions, due to fear of making the wrong one

Definitely. Understanding the connection between the Mind, Body, and Spirit isn't just an interesting concept—it's essential for real growth.

We're here to help you figure out the triggers behind your anxiety. Equipped with the right strategies and tools, our goal is to support you in finding your stride in both personal relationships and your career.

In therapeutic terms, we'll focus on observing your thoughts and not attaching to them or getting overwhelmed by them. We'll explore self-talk, grounding techniques, effective breathing, and emotional regulation. Oh, and we’ll be delving into boundaries & prioritizing self care… a lot.


We’ll get real with what’s going on in your head & heart. We'll get clear on how your thoughts impact your self-talk, and we’ll find ways to restore your inner sense of security and peace.


Remember, you don’t have to navigate this journey alone.

You can definitely overcome anxiety and actually ENJOY living the life you’re working so hard to create!

Reach out, HERE.

We look forward to hearing from you and would be honored to join you on this portion of your path!!

Are you looking for relief from anxiety and tools to navigate daily challenges with confidence and calm? You're in the right place. Our approach isn’t just about coping—it’s about thriving.

With Solution Focused Anxiety Counseling, we'll help you take a step back, observe your thoughts and feelings, and not get tangled up in them.

Together, we'll design a wellness plan that resonates with you holistically: Mind, Body, Spirit. It's like a personalized roadmap to feeling more balanced and empowered.

We’ll equip you with tools that are easy to tap into when things get intense, helping you find that sweet spot of calm and presence.

Imagine being more in the moment and actually enjoying life again. It starts with the most crucial relationship you have… your relationship with yourself.

Taking that first step towards lasting change is all about believing in you.

Ready to dive in? REACH OUT!

We look forward to hearing from you and will be so honored to join you on this portion of your path!

Stress, Anxiety, Burnout, and Imposter Syndrome: Understanding the differences.

Stress, anxiety, burnout, and imposter syndrome all stem from high-pressure environments and can lead to significant emotional and physical exhaustion, affecting your overall well-being.

Stress is what happens when you’re juggling too much at once, leaving you exhausted and irritable. Anxiety kicks in when those worries about the future just won't stop, making it hard to stop the thought spiral and relax. Burnout is that deep, soul-crushing exhaustion from being overworked for too long. And imposter syndrome? That's when you feel like a fraud despite your success.

Here are some of the specifics:

STRESS

Stress often comes from juggling multiple roles and responsibilities. It's your body's reaction to demands and pressures, which can be short-term (like meeting a deadline) or chronic (constant workload).

What it is: Stress is a response to external pressures (work demands, personal challenges) affecting both mind and body.

Symptoms: Headaches, fatigue, irritability.

ANXIETY

Anxiety takes stress a step further, becoming a constant worry about future events or performance. It's that nagging feeling that keeps you up at night, causing restlessness and tension even when things are seemingly okay.

What it is: Anxiety is a reaction to perceived future threats, often manifesting as excessive worry.

Symptoms: Restlessness, muscle tension, difficulty concentrating, spinning thoughts, pit in your stomach, heaviness in your chest.

BURNOUT

Burnout is the result of prolonged stress and anxiety. It’s the overwhelming exhaustion and sense of detachment from your work. If you find yourself feeling unmotivated, cynical, and lacking a sense of accomplishment, you might be experiencing burnout

What it is: Burnout results from prolonged stress, particularly in professional settings, leading to exhaustion.

Symptoms: Emotional, physical, and mental fatigue, detachment.

IMPOSTER SYNDROME

 Imposter syndrome is that nagging feeling that you’re not as competent as others think you are, even though you’ve got the accomplishments to prove otherwise. It often means doubting your success and fearing that you’ll be exposed as a fraud. Despite your hard work and achievements, you might feel like you don’t deserve your success and worry about being "found out." Recognizing this feeling is the first step to overcoming it and embracing your true value and capabilities.

What it is: Imposter syndrome is feeling like a fraud despite evident success, common among high-achieving women.

Symptoms: Self-doubt, fear of failure, overworking, can lead to perfectionism.

SUMMARY

As a professional woman or entrepreneur, you know the struggle of juggling multiple roles and responsibilities.

Stress hits when you’re balancing too much, anxiety kicks in with the constant worry, burnout follows prolonged overwork, and imposter syndrome makes you doubt your own achievements.

Recognizing these issues and reaching out for support and guidance are key.  Understanding the differences between these states of being helps you recognize when to step back, seek support, and implement self-care strategies tailored to maintain your well-being and productivity.

We show you how. 

We help you identify what’s going to be most helpful and effective for YOU.

And...

We empower you to take action, implementing the strategies we’ve co-created together.

If you're looking for support and guidance and are ready to dive in...

REACH OUT!

We look forward to hearing from you and helping you get the results you're looking for!

Identifying and overcoming the challenges related to stress, anxiety, burnout and imposter syndrome starts with self-awareness.

Notice when constant fatigue, persistent worry, deep exhaustion, and overwhelming self-doubt are disrupting your daily life and seek the support of a therapist.

This is where we come in…

Overcoming these issues involves taking intentional actions that align with your values and how you want to feel in your day-to-day. 

A few great places to start are by prioritizing self-care, setting boundaries, and seeking expert guidance.

We teach you Mind-Body techniques like mindfulness and relaxation exercises that help manage stress and anxiety.

We'll empower you to remember and reconnect with the things, activities, people and experiences that not only calm and soothe your soul, but that reignite your fire and the sparkle that kick-started your unique mission and purpose in the first place.

Regularly acknowledging and celebrating your wins and achievements goes a long way to building confidence and recognizing your capacity, competence and your sheer unique and utter brilliance.

Taking these proactive steps can significantly enhance your well-being and professional life. 

We show you how.  We help you identify what’s going to be most helpful and effective for YOU and then empower you to take aligned and committed action to implement the strategies we’ve co-created.

Ready to dive in??

REACH OUT!

We look forward to hearing from you and helping you get the results you're looking for!