The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that approximately 40 million adults in the United States suffer from an anxiety disorder any given year. These disorders include Panic Disorder, Obsesssive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Post Taumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and phobias including social phobia and agorophobia.
As a therapist in practice for thirty years I’ve seen first hand how anxiety and panic disorders can cause havoc in a person’s life. But I’ve also been privileged to observe first hand the kinds of courage that people develop to cope and to overcome the negative effects of anxiety.
Because I am solution-focused when treating anxiety disorders I work with my clients to pay attention to the strengths and skills they’ve developed even before they made the call to me. I help clients focus on what’s working for them to lessen anxiety. People with even the most serious symptoms have some days that are better than others. I’m curious and I support my clients to be curious about what makes those days different.
Like successful athletes, the trick for clients suffering from anxiety is learning to repeat what works, whether it be a golf swing, a training routine, or a thought. And like a sucessful athlete, it sometimes helps to have a coach who can reflect back to him or her when they’ve got it and like the athlete, to be reminded of what it took to get there.