Easing Emotional

Distress

Deep canyon walls with smooth, flowing sandstone layers in shades of orange, red, and tan, forming a narrow crevice.

Racing thoughts, tightness in your chest, pit in your stomach, sweat on your palms. If you could stop this feeling on your own, you would have already. The dread, panic, and fear that seems to have turned the world into someplace threatening. Facing it seems too overwhelming so you stay home and somehow it gets worse.

You just want it to stop.

Or maybe you wake up and the weight of living presses down on your chest. You can’t remember the last time you actually enjoyed yourself. It takes all your effort just to get out of bed and brush your teeth. It all seems hopeless. You have no idea how you are supposed to get through another day like this.

You just want to feel something again.

It doesn’t have to be like this.

I work with people who struggle with anxiety and depression — and you are far from alone. In addition to emotional distress, anxiety and depression can impact your ability to manage daily tasks, build supportive habits, and connect with others who care for you. I use a narrative approach to help uncover the stories your anxiety or depression is telling you so we can write a new story together.

You get to choose your life, not anxiety or depression.

If you are struggling to cope with each day, please reach out. I would love to meet you and find a way forward. You don’t need to navigate this alone.

There is hope for you.

Schedule Today

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Fear is a normal reaction to an immediate threat. Anxiety is when fear persists even when there is no obvious threat. It is what happens when our nervous system becomes stuck in a state of fight or flight even if there is nothing obvious triggering it.

    Left carrying this alone, anxiety can start to impact your daily life and make it harder to function.

  • Anxiety and panic attacks share symptoms, so it can be hard to tell them apart. A general guideline is to observe how quickly and intensely the anxiety peaks.

    Anxiety tends to build gradually while panic can come on suddenly. Panic attacks often have strong physical sensations including chest tightness, difficulty breathing, dizziness, etc. These symptoms do eventually pass.

    Both anxiety and panic attacks can be helped by talking about them in therapy.

  • Yes — many people deal with symptoms of anxiety and depression simultaneously. When you are struggling with both anxiety and depression, the symptoms can build on each other and can have a more pronounced impact on your daily life.

    If you suspect you may be struggling with symptoms of depression, anxiety, or both, please reach out.

  • Depression is when you experience persistent sadness or feelings of hopelessness that impact your daily life. Depression can also make it difficult to enjoy activities of interest that you once enjoyed.

    Without treatment, depression can worsen and increase the risk of more serious complications.

  • Not necessarily. The picture most of us have when we think about depression is someone who is feeling sad and cannot get out of bed. Depression can certainly look this way, but sometimes it can look a little different.

    People can also experience irritability, sleep disturbances, anxiety, thoughts of suicide, low energy, and even physical pain. Depression does not always look sad, but it can still feel hopeless.

  • You might need to talk to someone about your struggles if you notice that it is becoming harder to keep up with daily life or it is beginning to impact your relationships. If you notice yourself becoming more isolated or avoiding stressful situations because you are unable to cope. Talking with a therapist may help.

    Outpatient therapy is not an emergency service. If you think you may hurt yourself or attempt suicide, call or text 988 or contact your local emergency number immediately.