Not only is hypnosis relaxing, it can be a very effective for reducing anxious behaviors and anxiety overall. Hypnotherapy can increase bravery, build confidence, and maximize motivation. The process begins when a hypnotherapist leads a person into a hypnotic trance. This sounds mysterious but a trance is a natural state we all experience every day….
What is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy? Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) combines strategies of acceptance and mindfulness with behavior change strategies to increase psychological flexibility. This means connecting with the present moment fully, without judgement, instead of waging a battle within one’s mind about the future or trying to change things out of one’s control. Through metaphor…
You’re getting ready for a peaceful night sleep when you see something moving on the floor next your bed. A spider! You yell for your braver half to kill it. Your hero jumps into action. The shoe slams down on the hardwood. Thank goodness! Then you see the spider scurry under the bed. “NOOO!” You…
Feeling Unsettled by Unsettling World Events Four Steps to Reduce Stress It’s easy to feel unsettled when we hear unsettling news on television or social media, particularly when several events happen at once. The combination of Kobe Bryant’s death, the fires in Australia, and the spread of the Corona virus, can trigger an escalation of…
The news of the world can be scary for children and teens (and adults for that matter). Whether it’s rioting in the U.S. Capitol, looting in the streets of Seattle, or people dying of COVID in the hospitals of New York, images of out-of-control behavior and death can be terrifying. When my son was a…
During this time of national crisis, we must manage two things simultaneously: 1) Protect ourselves from the Coronavirus, and 2) Protect ourselves from anxiety. If your anxiety, fear, and worry has been overwhelming, put these ten strategies into practice. Media Distancing: To stop the spread of COVID-19, we’ve had to practice social distancing. But to…
What is an appropriate level of COVID-19 worry and what steps can you take to reduce your anxiety Today I had a Zoom call with a patient who leaves deliveries on her porch for a week and then disinfects the packages before opening them. Another patient shared how upon returning home she removes all…
Many people are reluctant to try medication and would rather overcome anxiety on their own, and I’m in favor of this. Unfortunately, sometimes this is not possible, and medication is essential. But many anxiety sufferers have an intense fear of trying medicine. It’s ironic that medication can be both the object of anxiety and the…
The illness you fear might not be the illness you have. I recently conducted an online support group for people with all sorts of health fears, from cancer and heart disease to ALS and MS. Each shared their worries about moles on the skin, irregular heart palpitations, and numbness and tingling. Although their specific fears…
Beat Agoraphobia Without Leaving your Home