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Stressed Woman

Stress & Anxiety Counseling

Feeling stressed or anxious?

Stress can creep into all aspects of life - work, relationships, family, and more. You may feel tense, overwhelmed, irritable, or struggle to find balance and cope. And when stress persists, it can turn into a more chronic period of distress, like anxiety. If this sounds like you, you're not alone. Stress and anxiety are incredibly common human experiences. The key is learning to manage them in a healthy way.​​

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Through counseling, you can gain skills to prevent stress and anxiety from becoming unbearable. Having an outlet to talk through concerns and get professional guidance can make a major difference. There are always solutions available, even if they seem out of reach in the moment.

What's the difference between stress and anxiety?

Stress and anxiety can look very similar and share a lot of overlapping symptoms. So how can you tell the difference? A couple key differences relate to the underlying cause or stressor and the duration. Stress tends to be short-term in response to a specific stressor, and once that stressor resolves, the stress tends to go down. Anxiety, on the other hand, tends to be more long-term and may not have an identifiable stressor. Or, there may be an identifiable stressor, but once one stressor goes away it's quickly replaced with another one, putting someone in a more chronic state of distress.

 

For a better understanding of the similarities and differences between stress and anxiety, check out the table below. 

Stress

  • A response to an external stressor (e.g., a work deadline, conflict with a friend)

  • Generally proportional to the stressor/trigger

  • More present focused

  • Tends to be associated with more physical symptoms 

  • Reduces when the stressor is resolved

  • Can be motivating (e.g., push you to study, meet a deadline)

Signs of Stress & Anxiety

  • Feeling tense, worried, uneasy 

  • Anger, irritability

  • Difficulty concentrating

  • Forgetfulness

  • Fatigue

  • Insomnia 

  • Headaches, stomach issues, muscle tension 

  • Elevated heart rate/blood pressure

Anxiety

  • Can relate to stressors, but tends to be a more subjective, internal reaction to perceived stress 

  • More past and future focused

  • More persistent/chronic worry/dread

  • Racing thoughts 

  • Difficulty controlling thoughts/feelings

  • Hypervigilance 

  • May include panic symptoms

  • Interferes more with daily functioning

How can stress and anxiety impact daily life?

Prolonged stress and anxiety can impact people in a number of ways. You may notice:​​

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  • Difficulty concentrating, focusing, and making decisions

  • Forgetfulness, mental disorganization

  • Poorer work or school performance

  • Irritability that strains relationships with friends, family, and coworkers

  • Withdrawal or isolation from social activities

  • Low motivation, procrastination, or avoidance of responsibilities 

  • Difficulty completing tasks or meeting deadlines

  • Trouble falling or staying asleep leaving you exhausted

  • Changes in eating habits - skipping meals, emotional eating

  • Reduced self-care related to your physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, or social health

  • Increased use of alcohol, tobacco, or other substances

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We all experience stress and anxiety at some point, and generally multiple times throughout our lives. But when stress or anxiety persist without breaks, it can significantly affect daily functioning and quality of life. Recognizing the signs and its impact is the first step to addressing it and finding effective coping strategies.

How can stress and anxiety counseling help?

Therapy can be highly effective in improving stress and anxiety. With stress and anxiety counseling, you can explore your feelings in a caring, judgment-free space and learn to reframe anxious thoughts, manage worry, and tackle stressors with a healthy mindset. We'll focus on getting to know you, your unique stressors, feelings, and goals, and tailor our sessions to your specific needs.

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With stress and anxiety counseling, you can: 

  • Increase comfort with uncertainty (some anxiety is actually normal and healthy!)

  • Explore underlying causes and triggers 

  • Learn how to challenge and replace anxious thoughts 

  • Boost self-confidence and self-efficacy 

  • Face challenges head on 

  • Focus more on the present moment

  • Set priorities and healthy boundaries 

  • Learn relaxation and mindfulness techniques 

  • Improve distress tolerance, stress management, and coping skills

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You can do this! And we're here to help. Stop letting stress or anxiety control you and regain control of your life! 

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