Adult Therapy
How many ‘buts’ are in your life?
“I’d love to, but…”
“That sounds exciting, but…”
“This seems great, but…”
“Things are finally working out, but…”
If this is what it sounds like in your head, then worry, self-doubt, and avoidance have you by the throat and are choking out your joy. It’s time to come up for air – and finally kick some “but.”
I empower caring, creative, and curious types to boldly face unhelpful thinking, tough emotions, and frustratingly ineffective actions that can give anxiety a death grip on your daily life.
“Ugh, I’ve been soooo busy lately.”
It’s tiring. You say you want to slow down. Relax. And yet, admit it: Secretly, you kind of love being so busy. Anything to avoid the quiet. The stillness. The silence.
That’s when the BIG questions usually bubble up.
Who am I? What the heck am I doing? Why don’t I feel alive? What’s wrong? What’s the point?
Followed by the BIG feelings.
Confusion. Sadness. Shame. Fear. Hopelessness.
Sometimes, no feelings at all. Numb. Empty.
Media and marketing companies make millions gladly giving you other things – anything, really! – to think and feel about.
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Up at night, mind swirling with worries. What if this… What if that…
You wake to a churning stomach and tight chest. You hit snooze. Twice. Doesn’t help. It’s time to face the day. Exhausted before you even begin. Over time, it starts to feel like depression.
That’s living with anxiety that’s over-the-top.
Young adults in their 20s and early 30s can face some unique challenges.
People like Catherine. She was 26 years old and rising through the ranks of her company when she came to see me. “I’m feeling lost,” she told me.
A self-professed former “free spirit,” her previous idea of settling down was staying at the same European hostel for two consecutive nights. Suddenly, she had “all the grown-up things” – nice apartment, good job, financial stability, career goals.
She had also never been more unhappy or stressed out.
Feelings of emptiness, loneliness, and confusion attacked her when she wasn’t busy frantically responding to work calls and emails on her two phones (if she ignored the work phone, they got her on the personal one).
A relationship? A life partner? Kids? Ha! Those were for other people.
Or so she liked to tell herself.
Catherine and I worked on strategies to step out of the busyness of life and recognize what matters most. To figure out what she really wants. To practice passionately seeking those things and saying “yes!” And for things that don’t really matter, to say “no” and still feel good about herself.
Individual therapy is a great place to speak as openly and honestly as you want about pretty much anything. (Honestly, where else do you get to do that?) You’ll probably laugh (still a great medicine, last I checked!) and possibly cry (no pressure, though).
You will step out of confusion and into understanding what’s going on – and how to manage it with kindness and skill. So-called “problems” will soon be opportunities to use strengths you never knew you had.
Finally, you will start regularly enjoying more meaningful life moments and major milestones.
Yeah, I know what you’re thinking: “Therapy might help, but…”
Well, here’s our first chance to kick a “but.”
Call me for a free 15-minute consultation to talk about how we can work together to move you to a place of joy in your life again. Call me at (512) 783-4508 or complete the contact form below.