Mastering anxiety can feel like an uphill battle, but it is possible to rewire the anxious brain to reduce suffering and improve functioning. It can be a complex journey that involves understanding anxiety triggers and implementing a new, paradoxical strategy. Whether you are a human resources professional, a dedicated caregiver, an educational guide, a spiritual healer, or simply someone seeking tools for your well-being, there are strategies you can use to help someone or help yourself master anxiety. Understanding Anxiety’s Roots and Recognizing Its Signals Anxiety is a normal human emotion ..read more

As mental health professionals treating anxiety and OCD, we have the privilege of working with people from diverse backgrounds, all needing tools and support to navigate life’s challenges. Among the diverse array of clients we serve, LGBTQIA+ individuals often face unique stressors that can exacerbate feelings of anxiety. Whether it’s societal stigma, discrimination, or identity-related concerns, the experiences of LGBTQIA+ individuals can significantly impact their mental well-being. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, between 30-60% of LGBTQIA+ individuals experie ..read more

In our roles as mental health professionals, we are constantly pursuing growth, both for ourselves and our clients. Goal setting is a fundamental aspect of this journey, but it often comes with a side dish of anxiety. What if, instead of viewing goals as intimidating challenges, we approached them as commitments? Understanding The Anxiety Associated With Goal Setting As mental health providers, it’s crucial to acknowledge and delve into the anxiety that often accompanies the process of goal setting. For many, including our clients, setting and striving towards goals can trigger a complex mix o ..read more

As we welcome a new year, it’s common for us to set resolutions and goals for the months ahead. While looking towards the future is important, it’s equally important to take a moment to reflect on the past year and appreciate our accomplishments. Often, we are so focused on what we want to achieve next that we forget to celebrate how far we’ve come. The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to pause and embrace our accomplishments, using them as a source of motivation and inspiration for the journey ahead. In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of taking a moment to appreciate ..read more

The back-to-school season can be an exciting time for many children, but for those struggling with anxiety, it can be an overwhelming and stressful experience. As a parent, you play a crucial role in supporting your anxious child and helping them navigate this transition with confidence. As two therapists specializing in treating Anxiety Disorders who are also parents, we have come up with practical strategies to empower your child and make their return to school a positive and successful one. Open Communication: Establishing open lines of communication with your child is essential. Encourag ..read more

School anxiety can show up in a variety of ways, with avoidance being a common coping mechanism for many anxious students. It makes sense! Anxiety feels bad, and avoidance brings relief from anxiety in the moment. However, avoidance behaviors can hinder a student’s academic progress, social interactions, and ironically end up exacerbating their anxiety. As a teacher, it is crucial to recognize and address avoidance effectively to support students with school anxiety. We know many teachers want to help anxious students but are overwhelmed by all the responsibilities in a classroom. Here are six ..read more

As mental health clinicians, providing culturally competent care is essential to our practice. Recognizing the way that we are different from our clients and speaking to those differences, which may include race, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, religion, or disability status, is a crucial first step when working with a client who is struggling with anxiety or OCD. This is especially true when working with a client who identifies as a minority, as minorities may have specific barriers to treatment that need to be addressed to provide effective care. This article will ..read more

Every day I am having conversations with clients and therapists in training regarding how to stop rumination. Rumination is when we leave our senses in the here and now, go up into our minds, and try to solve something that is creating distress. It usually robs us of our time and energy and leaves us deeper in doubt and anxiety. Rumination is often present with anxiety and OCD. So how do we help our clients stop ruminating? There are several practices that I teach my clients, all of them fairly simple but none of them provide quick and easy relief. One practice is attention training. You can f ..read more

Do you have clients who don’t get well, and struggle with low mood and lack of interest in anything?  Most of my clients get better and some of them get better really quickly which is very gratifying as a clinician.  However, I am keenly aware that a small group of clients does not have good results from CBT, even with the addition of medicine or in-patient treatment.  It’s with these clients in mind that I look to research to help guide the next steps – I want whatever we try to be evidence-based.  These are clients who are suffering terribly, and CBT has failed them.  ..read more

Viruses can be responsible for causing sudden onset OCD, PANS, PANDAS, and other mental health symptoms. For many years, I have seen children who experience sudden, severe symptoms of OCD that seem to have come from nowhere. These children and their families desperately need professionals who understand these symptoms and their devastating impact. Once, I wrote a *post about this on Facebook. People shared it over 1400 times. This may be impacting more children and families than we know. I remember a three-year-old who had a strep infection. One day she was healthy, and the next day she was co ..read more