Individual Counseling

More than anything, we want our loved ones to be happy. As well-placed as this intention can be, one challenge that can come up is that our definition of “happiness” and our loved one’s definition of happiness might not always align perfectly. This can be a source of conflict as two people who love each other try to navigate life together. Knowing your loved one’s struggles can put you in a position where you can stand in the gap for them, supporting them as they need it. With social anxiety, it’s important to know the signs of it, as well as how best to support your loved one if they are socially anxious. Just as there are helpful ways to be present and supportive, there are also unhelpful ones, and knowing the difference matters. The Signs of Social Anxiety People have feelings of anxiety in a variety of circumstances. Some people thrive in a setting with lots of people, engaging in conversation with strangers, or talking through ideas in a public forum like a meeting or classroom. For other people, these things are dreadful, in the literal sense. It takes enormous amounts of energy to be in those kinds of spaces, and once there, it’s a matter of hanging on until it’s all over. A person’s anxiety in social settings can become so severe that it begins to interfere with their daily functioning. At that point, it could be diagnosed as a social anxiety disorder by a mental health professional. Social anxiety disorder can make life – whether that’s hanging out with loved ones, going to work, doing your grocery shopping, or going to the doctor – hard. Anxiety has tell-tale signs, as it affects you physically, mentally, and emotionally. If your loved one has social anxiety, you may [...]

Life always seems to throw curveballs when we least expect them. Sometimes it’s just a last-minute change in plans, an urgent issue at work, or an uncomfortable social encounter that leaves you feeling rattled. Learning meditation for anxiety can help. We’re here today to talk about one simple but useful mental health life hack called “meditation for anxiety” that you can use no matter where you are to help you stay calm and grounded when things feel out of control. By making meditation a part of your daily life, you will build up the strength and will you need to face whatever comes your way. Why Learning Meditation for Anxiety in Public Spaces Matters Anxiety doesn’t give us a warning before it shows up. Sometimes, it appears out of nowhere, catching us off guard. You could be at a party when someone brings up a topic that you just aren’t prepared to handle, and it triggers feelings of anxiety. Stressful moments can happen anywhere: while standing in line, sitting in a cafe, or even in the middle of a busy street. It’s in these surprise moments that having some trick to help you stay grounded, like meditation, becomes so valuable. When anxiety arises, you need to have something you know you can do right away to calm yourself. You don’t always have the luxury of going somewhere quiet to meditate. Meditation doesn’t require special equipment or a quiet room; it’s something you can do with just your breath and your mind, no matter where you are. Plus, it’s a great way to build mental strength. The more you meditate in public, the more you learn to handle anxiety in real-time. Meditating in any space also helps you stay present. Instead of getting lost in your anxious thoughts, focusing on [...]