I’ve been anxious all my life.  Is it really possible to get rid of anxiety?  Can this really help me?

Many of us today have grown up with anxiety as being the norm and in some ways it can help us.  It can help us make sure people are happy and get things done.  On the other hand, it can lead to thinking we are always walking on egg shells or not doing enough and/or right enough.  It doesn’t have to be this way.

I can’t imagine not being stressed.  In fact, being stressed helps me do my best work on the job?  Would counseling take that away?

My goal is to help you perform at your peak level no matter if you are home, work or in your relationships.  All I want is for you to feel better.  What some people find is that when their anxiety decreases, their actually able to focus better.  You’ll still have your range of emotions.  You’ll still have dynamite focus.  You’ll just be able to do it from a calmer place inside.

Can my anxiety affect my kids?

What a great question!  This tells me right away that you are a good parent.  As a good parent, you know that kids are like little sponges and they do pick it up. So, a lot of times it’s just better to work out your anxiety so that your kids don’t have as much to absorb.

My partner says I have too much stress and anxiety.

Isn’t it interesting how we are all wired differently.  Some of us are more wired for anxiety than others.  It is perfectly normal for you to have a different emotional range than your partner.  On the other hand, I just want you to feel better and feel great in your own skin.  So, if your not, let’s talk.

What is your style of working with clients?

You will have my undivided attention. I offer you my focused attention in each therapy session to hear your story, discuss what has and hasn’t worked in the past, offer education about your issues, and help you develop and practice new and healthy ways of thinking, feeling and behaving. Therapy should be fun and inspiring. While therapy is serious, I use often use humor in therapy—laughing at ourselves and our problems can be very therapeutic and make healing easier. There is no reason why therapy should have to be “heavy” or “gloomy”. It should be fun and inspiring too! To this end, while we will work on finding solutions to your problems in therapy, we will also focus on building upon your strengths. There are likely incredible skills you have developed over the years as a way of coping with your problems. In therapy, we’ll examine these skills and build on them so that you become stronger and use them to your full advantage.

What is your approach to counseling?

While I’ve been influenced by many therapy approaches there are two that that I primarily utilize in the therapy process:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive behavioral therapy examines how our thoughts impact on our feelings and behavior. I’ll help you identify thoughts, beliefs and values that you are currently living by and how they are, or are not, serving you at this point in your life. Once you are more aware of any negative thinking patterns, you’ll have more freedom to change them. I’ll help you reframe any of these unhelpful patterns of thinking and to develop a more optimistic view of yourself, your life, and your future.

Psychodynamic Therapy

Psychodynamic therapy helps you develop a deeper awareness of how your past experiences (often from childhood) effect your current life. Difficult and painful experiences often create patterns of reacting to things in protective, but unhelpful ways. You’ll have a better grasp of how your past is influencing you today, which can help you heal old wounds and be better able to choose new ways of being.

This does NOT mean we will spend time dredging up painful events that you may not want to discuss. We will deal with what is relevant to you and your problems in the here and now, and only as you want to.

What Is My Role in the Counseling Process?

For therapy to be effective, you must be committed to wanting a better life and be willing to work towards getting it. The deeper the problem, often the more work required in order to change it, but also the deeper the rewards will be.

You’ll have to acknowledge there is a problem and take responsibility for any part you play in maintaining the problem—otherwise it will be difficult to change. You may not be clear on what your problems are or where any responsibility for your part lies, so we’ll work together to explore these things so you can more completely heal.

While many problems may not be your “fault,” you are the only one that has control over your life and the only one who can change things for the better. Fortunately, you won’t be alone in doing this. You can be confident that I’ll be there each step of the way supporting, encouraging and challenging you to reach the goals you set for yourself.

Do you accept male clients?

Yes. Men are absolutely welcome. While I focus on women, anxiety and stress can greatly effect men as well.

So, how can I set up an appointment?

Here’s 3 ways to connect with me, so you can get started…..

1)  Call me today at  (312) 810-0707

2)  Email me at Stacy@MyChicagoCounselor.com

3)  Click the SCHEDULING tab above to set-up an appointment online, or just click the button below!

I make it a priority return emails and phone calls within the same day. I look forward to hearing from you and hearing your story.