When many people think about separation anxiety, they picture a young child crying at school drop-off or struggling to spend time away from a parent. While separation anxiety is often associated with younger children, it can continue well into adolescence. In some cases, it may even become more noticeable during the teenage years as expectations for independence increase. For parents,...[ read more ]
When a child refuses to go to school, it is easy to focus on the most visible problem: attendance. Parents often find themselves worrying about missed assignments, falling grades, and how much school their child is missing. While these concerns are understandable, school refusal is rarely just about getting a child through the school doors. In most cases, school refusal...[ read more ]
When a child is struggling with anxiety, most parents naturally want to help them feel better. They answer questions, provide reassurance, offer reminders, and do whatever they can to reduce their child's distress. While these responses come from a place of love, they can sometimes unintentionally strengthen the cycle of childhood anxiety.This can be confusing for parents. If reassurance helps...[ read more ]
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the most widely researched and effective treatments for anxiety disorders. While many people have heard of CBT, they are often surprised to learn that it is much more than simply "thinking positive." In reality, CBT helps people understand the relationship between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors while teaching practical skills that can reduce...[ read more ]
Many people have heard that Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) involves "facing your fears." While that description isn't entirely wrong, it often leaves out some of the most important parts of the treatment. As a result, people may assume that ERP is simply about forcing yourself into uncomfortable situations and waiting for the anxiety to go away.In reality, ERP is...[ read more ]
If you've ever struggled with chronic worry, you've probably noticed that it can feel strangely difficult to let go of. Most people don't worry because they enjoy it. In fact, many people desperately wish they could stop. The challenge is that worry often feels useful. It can create the impression that you're preparing, protecting yourself, or staying one step ahead...[ read more ]
Many people begin anxiety therapy with a simple goal: to stop feeling anxious. While that goal makes sense, it can also create frustration when anxiety continues to show up during recovery. One of the most common misconceptions about anxiety treatment is that success means feeling calm all the time. In reality, anxiety recovery is not about eliminating anxiety. It is...[ read more ]
What Progress in Therapy Actually Looks Like When people begin therapy, they often have a picture in their minds of what progress should look like. They imagine feeling better quickly, no longer struggling with anxiety, and moving through life without difficult emotions. While therapy can absolutely lead to meaningful change, progress in therapy often looks different than people expect. In...[ read more ]
When most people think about summer, they picture vacations, backyard barbecues, festivals, and long evenings spent outdoors. What they don't always realize is that these same activities can create incredible opportunities to practice Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). If you're living with OCD or an anxiety disorder, summer doesn't have to become another season of avoiding what feels uncomfortable. In...[ read more ]
For many people, summer feels like a season to slow down. School is out, vacations are planned, schedules become more flexible, and there is often a desire to take a break from the usual routine. It's not uncommon for people to wonder whether therapy can wait until fall.While taking time away for a vacation is healthy and important, stepping away...[ read more ]
