“Water is fliud, soft, and yielding. But water will wear away rock, which is rigid and cannot yield.
As a rule, whatever is fluid, soft, and yielding will overcome whatever is rigid and hard”
—Lao-tzu
Anxiety is a normal and necessary part of our lives. When functioning correctly, it serves to drive us and keep us safe. However, when anxiety levels reach an acute or chronic state, the anxiety is no longer serving us.
Symptoms such as constant restlessness, irritability, panic attacks, and insomnia can become frequent or constant and take on a life of their own. In this state a person often feels paralyzed and out of control.
My approach to anxiety treatment is generally threefold; using mindfulness, cognitive behavioral techniques, and psychodynamic therapy.
Mindfulness teaches the ability to identify and observe thought content and process. This in turn, gives the individual a clearer picture of why they are anxious, as well as building the skills to shift and reduce symptom discomfort.
Cognitive Behavioral techniques build on the mindfulness skills, deepening a person’s understanding of why they become anxious and how to change that process. Mindfulness and Cognitive Behavioral techniques have the ability to bring rapid symptom relief. Psychodynamic therapy looks at historical and relational factors which, when addressed can provide the foundation for more lasting change.