One of the most widely-used methods for treating individuals with anxiety is CBT, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which is also commonly known as talk-therapy, and takes place with a licensed mental health professional.
This form of therapy is designed to help you learn how to identify and understand your thought patterns and behaviors, as well as equip you with the tools needed to help you successfully cope with and manage your anxiety.
When to seek therapy?
When your anxiety becomes too much for you to manage on your own or has begun to interfere with your daily life, it is recommended that you seek out professional help.
Not only that, but if you’ve found that your anxiety is increasing in intensity, leading to panic attacks, or your coping mechanisms are no longer effective, it might be a sign that you require additional support.
Benefits of Therapy:
One of the advantages of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is that your progress can be seen relatively quickly, within a matter of a few sessions. It must be kept in mind, though, that in order for progress to be made, you have to put in the work and effort that is required.
Another advantage is that the strategies you learn can be implemented into about every aspect of your everyday life. The tools and techniques you learn will help you cope better with any stressful events that you encounter in the future.
Therapy also offers you another level of support and provides you with a safe space to talk openly about your feelings, thoughts, and emotions.
What You Can Expect:
After meeting with a therapist, he/she will decide what your treatment plan will look like and how often you’ll meet.
Depending on the severity of your anxiety, it is possible that they recommend medication be taken as well. However, that decision will ultimately remain yours.
He/she may also assign tasks for you to complete such as: reading a specific book, journaling regularly, meditating, or other assignments.
Exposure therapy might be recommended as well. Exposure therapy, which is exactly as it sounds, exposes you gradually to a feared situation until that fear is eliminated.
During your sessions, you might talk, cry, yell, or all of the above, and that’s okay! All are allowed! It’s best that you are as open and honest as you can be. That’s when the best progress made!
Reminders:
It’s okay if you and your therapist click right away. It may take multiple sessions for you to feel at ease with them.
If, at any point, you feel that you and your therapist are not a match, that’s okay too! It can take some people a few tries to find someone who you connect well with. Don’t give up!
Don’t get discouraged if you don’t make progress as quickly as you’d like. As they say, “Rome wasn’t built in a day.”
Do. The. Work. In order for you to truly make progress, it’s imperative that you do the work. The process works if you work it.
Becoming more aware of your thought patterns and behaviors and recognizing triggers is just the first important step. Knowing when and how to implement the tools you’ll learn is next important step.
The biggest difference between successful anxiety management and unsuccessful management is your ability to put to use what you learn.
Good luck on your journey! I’m rooting for you!
With love and support, Molly
