Anxiety

When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul. — Psalm 94:19

If you struggle with anxiety, having someone tell you to “let go and let God” might not be much help. Though a good and truthful sentiment, for people with anxiety, this can be much easier said than done. Through Christian anxiety counseling, you are allowed to work through your anxiety at your own pace. Our Christian counselors use a highly-effective combination of tools for anxiety relief to develop a treatment plan that works for your specific type of anxiety, your goals for recovery, and your personal expression of faith.

Do I Have an Anxiety Disorder?

For some, anxiety becomes almost normal, causing them to feel it’s something they’ll have to learn to live with. For others, they might feel they should be able to control their symptoms, not realizing that they are caused by a real disorder. Anxiety disorders come in many forms and are among the leading mental health problems in the U.S.

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness, affecting 40 million adults in the U.S.

• Uncontrollable thoughts, worry, or fear.
• Feeling of dread, or impending danger.
• Racing heartbeat.
• Feeling suffocated or dizzy.
• Feeling powerless.
• Trouble concentrating.

Anxiety symptoms vary depending on the type of anxiety disorder present, and each case affects people differently. Our Christian counselors are trained in treating the many kinds of anxiety disorders and know how to find solutions that will work for your experience of anxiety.

Types of anxiety disorders we treat include:

• Generalized anxiety disorder.
• Social anxiety disorder.
• Obsessive compulsive disorder.
• Panic disorder.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder.
• Hoarding disorder.
• Specific phobias.

Many come to Christian counseling without knowing what type of anxiety they have; they just know they are tired of feeling overwhelmed and unable to live to the fullest. We can help you pinpoint the cause of your anxiety, educate you on your specific anxiety disorder, and offer treatment options that suit your needs for anxiety relief.

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. — 1 Peter 5:7

As Christian counselors, we give you a safe place to shed your worries, find peace, and heal wounds. Each counselor offers their own methods for recovery, but they all have a single goal in common: helping you overcome your anxiety so you can live a healthy life that is fully connected with yourself, loved ones, and Christ.

Does Therapy Help Anxiety?

Most people respond very well to therapy for anxiety. According to a survey published in Psychiatric Times,

About 60% respond well to anxiety therapy, and up to one-third come to a full recovery

In general, studies show the effectiveness of evidence-based methods for anxiety treatment. We combine these tools with the teachings, healing, and patience of Christ for maximum results, even for those who were disappointed with counseling in the past. Should you require medication to get the results you need, our Christian psychiatric care providers can help with that, too.

Through Christian anxiety counseling, you can:

• Gain a better understanding of your unique anxiety condition.
• Identify the underlying causes of your anxiety.
• Develop a personalized recovery plan.
• Learn how to control negative thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
• If warranted, discuss medication expectations.
• Gain skills that will help you make better choices and form healthier relationships.
• Explore faith as a cornerstone for healing.
• Gain support for lasting recovery.

As an association of Christian counselors, we’ve had the honor of seeing lives completely transform. Our holistic approach to healing of the mind, body, and spirit offers real, lasting solutions for anxiety relief.

Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you. I do not give it as the world does. Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid. — John 14:27

When dealing with stress and anxiety, it can be easy to turn to things of this world to find comfort, some of which are unhealthy and can actually make matters worse. Christian anxiety counseling operates on faith in Christ for finding true peace and healing. Because anxiety can have such dangerous effects on your overall health, it’s important to get help as soon as possible.

People with an anxiety disorder are 3 to 5 times more likely to go to the doctor, and 6 times more likely to be hospitalized for psychiatric disorders.

What Happens in Anxiety Counseling?

If you’re nervous about counseling, that’s okay. We encourage you to schedule a risk-free initial session* with one of our Christian counselors so you can get an idea of what to expect and whether or not counseling is right for you. Any questions or concerns you have will be worked through during the first session, and you’ll also talk about your story and goals for recovery. Christian anxiety counseling can take many forms, depending on your specific needs.

Types of therapy for anxiety include:

• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy – CBT helps you become more aware of your thoughts and emotions, and how these things can trigger your anxiety. By becoming more aware of these things, you can learn to gain better control of your emotions and behaviors.
• Psychodynamic Therapy – This form of therapy delves into the root cause of your anxiety by learning more about yourself and working through issues in your past and present relationships where anxiety has developed. The goal is to help you understanding why you behave as you do, so you can move forward with your life.
• Exposure Therapy – This is a form of CBT that helps you reduce your fear and anxiety responses by gradually exposing you to the stressor, causing you to be less sensitive over time. This works well of OCD and phobias.
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy – DBT teaches skills for regulating emotions and thoughts by becoming more aware of yourself, your stressors, and finding healthy ways of dealing with negative emotions.
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing – EMDR offers techniques for dealing with stress while changing the way you brain processes information so that you can better deal with stressful situations. This works well for panic disorders and phobias.
• Group Therapy – Group counseling for anxiety can be very helpful, especially for those who struggle with social anxiety. Having a safety net of support from like-minded people can make all the difference for many.

To find the right Christian counselor for you, make sure you contact a professional who is trained in treating anxiety disorders. These counselors specialize in the various types of therapy for anxiety and know how to help you get the most out of your sessions.

Some other things to expect in Christian anxiety counseling are:

• A safe, compassionate place for you to talk without fear, learn more about your anxiety, and gain tools for recovery.
• Help from highly-trained Christian counselors who know how to treat all kinds of anxiety disorders by implementing the most effective methods of treatment.
• An environment where your faith is supported, and used as a fundamental part of your recovery process.
• Client-centered counseling that is dedicated to helping you reach your full potential while upholding your needs, values, and goals.

At Seattle Christian Counseling, we hold faith for you and your recovery from anxiety. With dedication and faith in Christ, we know you can move towards a life that is made healthy and whole. Anxiety doesn’t have to be something you just live with. Relief is possible through Christian counseling for anxiety.

Are you ready to take control of your life? Contact us today to schedule your risk-free initial session*.

To learn more about Christian counseling for anxiety or to schedule an appointment, give us a call at 206-388-3929 or Contact us Online.