Anxiety is an incredibly common mental health disorder, and it can be difficult to deal with. Anxiety disorders are the most common type of mental illness in the United States, affecting about 40 million adults in any given year. At Agoura Hills Counseling, anxiety is one of the most common reasons that people reach out to us for therapy and counseling. We believe that the root of anxiety is a history of some kind of trauma (either a single distressing event or repeated distressing events), which causes people to live their lives constantly on edge without knowing why they feel that way. All too often clients focus on just managing their anxiety symptoms versus truly digging down deep to determine what is causing the anxiety in the first place. Coping skills for anxiety such as meditation, exercise and breathing exercises can be very useful and we highly recommend these types of coping skills for our clients. However, we have found that these coping skills alone do not seem to help people fully resolve their anxiety symptoms in a significant way. Again, the symptoms may be better managed, but the root of the anxiety is not being addressed. Furthermore, while we are advocates for medication when it is needed for anxiety symptoms, we believe that if the root of anxiety is not uncovered and treated, there will likely be a return of the anxiety symptoms when you stop taking the medication.
We have found that one of the best treatments for addressing the trauma that lies at the root of anxiety is EMDR Therapy. Working with a therapist who is trained in EMDR Therapy can help you identify and reprocess your traumatic experiences in a safe and healing way. You will be supported every step of the way. This can be an incredibly powerful process that will help reduce your anxiety symptoms in the long run. EMDR Therapy may sound daunting, because it requires clients to face the trauma that they may have been burying or avoiding for months, years, or even decades. However, our clients find that it is worth it and that they notice significant, lasting changes within themselves as a result. Their anxiety symptoms are not just being managed, but they are actually being significantly diminished or fully resolved. More information about EMDR Therapy can be found at https://www.emdria.org/
We understand how difficult it can be to live with anxiety, and we want you to know that there is a way out. You don’t have to continue feeling this overwhelming sense of dread day in and day out.
If you are struggling with anxiety and feel like you have tried everything, it is time to try something new. EMDR Therapy may be the answer for you. Schedule Your Free Consultation with Agoura Hills Counseling