Welcome back! Today, I'm diving into the wonderful world of breathing techniques and how they can be your secret weapon against anxiety. As a Chicago-based psychotherapist who specializes in anxiety, I know that managing those racing thoughts and heart palpitations is crucial. But, worry not! I've got a few tricks up my sleeve, and I promise, they're not as mysterious as they sound. In fact, one of them even has the stamp of approval from Navy SEALs. So, let's get started on your journey to tranquility.

Welcome back to my blog, where I dive deep into the fascinating world of psychology and mental health. Today, I'm going to explore the Diathesis-Stress Model and its profound relevance to understanding the development of anxiety. So, grab your favorite beverage, get comfy, and let's embark on this insightful journey together.

In a world where traditional gender norms often dictate that men should suppress their emotions and uphold an image of unyielding strength, the importance of men's mental health cannot be overstated. I understand the significance of addressing men's mental health issues, as half of my caseload is comprised of men. In this article, I'll delve into the critical points surrounding men's emotional well-being and shed light on the necessity of normalizing feelings, seeking help, and breaking the cycle of silent suffering.

Do you find yourself ensnared in the labyrinth of traumatic memories, repeatedly grappling with distressing thoughts and emotions that refuse to loosen their grip? Perhaps the specter of past abuse looms ominously, casting its shadow over your present. Maybe you've weathered a traumatic incident, only to have unwelcome flashbacks intrude upon your daily life.

Welcome to another riveting exploration into the labyrinth of the human mind, where analysis paralysis and decision fatigue often form a tag team of frustration and doubt. As a Chicago-based psychotherapist who's practically best friends with anxiety and perfectionism, let's dive into the ever-vexing realm of making the "right" decisions and how it can sneakily morph into the wily beast of polarized thinking.

Do you often find yourself caught in a never-ending cycle of imagining the worst possible outcomes for every situation? If the mere thought of a small setback sends your mind spiraling into a whirlwind of disastrous scenarios, you might be a catastrophizer. Catastrophizing, also known as expecting the worst-case scenario, is a cognitive distortion that can wreak havoc on your mental well-being, leading to heightened anxiety and unnecessary stress. But fear not, for in this blog post, we're diving deep into this destructive thinking pattern and uncovering the techniques to reframe your thoughts for a more peaceful and balanced mindset.

In the bustling world we live in, it's ironic how feelings of loneliness have become increasingly prevalent. Loneliness can take root in the hearts of even the most socially active individuals, affecting people of all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life. It's essential to differentiate between the experience of being physically alone and the deeper emotional state of loneliness. In this article, we delve into the intricacies of loneliness and explore its intimate connection with anxiety.

Hey, everyone. I'm Kristen, the anxiety therapist. Today, I want to shed light on the concept of self-care, a term that has gained popularity during and after the pandemic. Unfortunately, self-care is often misunderstood and even perceived negatively as selfishness. In reality, it is an essential practice that nurtures our emotional well-being and enables us to manage anxiety effectively. True self-care goes beyond occasional indulgences; it involves implementing nourishing habits and setting healthy boundaries. In this blog post, I'll explore the significance of self-care and offer practical tips on how to incorporate it into your daily life.

Hi everyone. I'm Kristen, the anxiety therapist. And today, I want to talk about the connection between high-functioning anxiety and burnout. We hear a lot about anxiety in a more generalized sense. But so you might not be familiar with the term high functioning anxiety.

Hi everyone, I'm Kristen, the anxiety therapist. And today I want to talk about the aftermath of therapy. So, understanding what happens to us on an emotional or physiological level after a therapy session. What prompted this video is a conversation I had with a friend a few weeks ago. She was describing how she felt after coming off of a session with her own therapist. It wasn't necessarily a great feeling, which is something I've heard from many of my own clients.

Hi everyone. I'm Kristen, the anxiety therapist. Today I want to talk about parenting anxiety. This is such a loaded topic and I can probably make a year's worth of videos about this and who knows? Maybe I will. But today, I just want to focus more on the topics of mirror neurons and co-regulation as tools for support.

Hey, everyone, I'm Kristen, the anxiety therapist. Today, I want to share a concept called confirmation bias. I was actually meeting with one of my clients last week, and he was having some concerns about his health. I described this concept to him, and it really resonated with him. He suggested that I make a vlog about it, so here we are.