Anxiety Coaching in Kamloops, BC

On the outside you may look like you are handling things just fine. But behind the scenes there is a whirlwind of activity going on in your head, heart and gut. Anxiety is sneaky, it often mascquerades as physical symptoms - upset stomach, the heart-attack like pain, heart-racing, breath-stealing, head spinning and so much more. And when you try to get a handle on the symptoms, it is busy making your world smaller and smaller. You struggle to make the phone call, write the email, go to the event, ask for the promotion. It starts to control your social life, your family and your career. Smaller and smaller. Tighter and tighter.

When Your Tired of Trying to Fight it Alone

Worry, stress and anxiety are all a normal part of life.  Our minds and our bodies are built to experience a certain amount of stress and recover from it quickly and effectively.  Heart and breathing rates speed up to give you the push to accomplish some amazing things and then they slow down and the tension is released from your body.

How do you know if your stress and anxiety are at a level where you should seek help?

In our fast-pace world, anxiety is on the rise and more and more people are finding themselves struggling to enjoy their lives in the ways they thought they would. It is estimated that 18% of adults in the Western world suffer from an anxiety disorder in any given year. (Carolyn Daitch, Anxiety Disorders, 2011) Below you will find common symptoms of anxiety, some things to note in seeking help and some practical suggestions to try in managing your stress and anxiety on your own.

What are the symptoms?

Anxiety is a feeling of fear, apprehension or nervousness.  Sometimes it is hard to pin down and it may surface as a generalized feeling of dread.  There is a part of your brain that was created to constantly be on the lookout for danger.  It has been crucial to the survival of the human race but, when out of control, it can severely limit your enjoyment in life.  Having your mind bombarded by a series of “What-if” thoughts can ruin even the simplest activity and many of the things you were meant to enjoy.

Anxiety can result in physical symptoms such as chronic pain, stomach aches and upsets, tension headaches, fatigue and trouble sleeping. You may experience chest pains, shortness of breath and a rapid heart rate. It can lead to weight gain or weight loss.  If it progresses you may find yourself feeling panicky in certain situations or having a panic attack.  You may struggle with specific phobias, compulsive behaviours or experiencing social anxiety.

How do you know if you should seek help?

Because a certain amount of stress and anxiety are normal, you and the people that love and care for you are the best ones to consult with when it might be time to seek help.  Here are some things to note:

• If at any point you are having thoughts of harming yourself or others, you should seek professional help immediately.

• If you are finding your worries or anxieties are taking over your life and having a negative impact on your daily life such as personal hygiene or scheduling necessary activities.

• If it is affecting your school or work

• If it is affecting your relationships, your social life, or your family

• If it is feeling out of control.

• If you find yourself doing things that you recognize as being not normal for you.

• If you find yourself relying on alcohol, drugs or other methods of self-medication to deal with your anxiety.

• If you try some of the ideas below but they don’t seem to make a difference.

Your first visit should be with a medical professional to rule out any underlying medical problems.  They will be able to assess what you are experiencing and give you recommendations on how to deal with it.  Ask whether your anxiety is at a level where a counsellor would be beneficial..

What to expect if you see me:

First of all, you will find yourself talking to someone who has struggled with my fair share of anxiety.  It embarrassing to mention how I skipped out of speech classes in high school.  And then there’s the time when the pressure in my head caused a fantastic nose bleed while on stage.  My ultimate stage moment was when I’ve passed out in front of a crowd.  I know first hand how anxiety can disrupt your life!  Thankfully, I’ve also learned the tools to effectively manage my anxiety so I can get my message across on a stage without causing a scene!  I talk about this here because I will not talk about this in our session – that time is for you.  Just know when it comes to anxiety messing up your life – I get it.

We will talk about what could be causing your anxiety.  We will discuss your unique symptoms and work together to find ways to deal with anxiety when it is happening.  We will look at your lifestyle and see where we can tweak and adjust to help lessen the incidences of anxiety.  We will work together to help you not let anxiety limit what you are to be about in this world.

If you are ready to get a handle on your worry and anxiety and gain back a measure of control in your life, give me a call at 1-833-630-2010, send an email at trishwhite.ca or check out my online schedule:You’ve tried a little meditation here and there. You go to the gym, you do the “self-care” but you seldom really feel good and content. You aren’t sure exactly what you need, if you need a counselor, a coach, a psychiatrist, or a psychologist. But, you know you need something, and you are tired of waiting to fully enjoy your life.

My name is Trish, and I Can Help

There are thousands of ways to heal from anxiety. The problem is choosing the right way that actually works for you. I have a wide variety of tools and strategies bit I know there are no copy and paste solutions for your unique situation - life is never that simple. I have the resources and intuition to help guide you to the right thing at the right time so you can get where you want to go. Don’t let anxiety make your world painfully small.

Contact me for a free counseling consultation

I know it can feel like a big step to call a counselor, but I’ll make it easy. We’ll spend 15-minutes on the phone and I’ll let you know how or if I can help. Contact me at 833-630-2010 for your free 15-minute phone consultation for counseling. My specialties include betrayal trauma, anxiety and feeling stuck.