Anxiety therapists in Lambertville, Michigan MI
Anxiety or Fears
Jayson L. Mystkowski
Psychologist, Ph.D., ABPP
While Cognitive-Behavior Therapy (CBT) is highly effective in the treatment of anxiety disorders (e.g., Panic Disorder, Social Phobia, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder), clinicians do see some “return of fear,” or partial relapse, in some patients due to a variety of factors. Over the past two decades, treatment researchers, with whom Dr. Jayson Mystkowski had the pleasure of working with at UCLA for over 10 years, have studied “return of fear” and discovered some key variables that may optimize the effects of learning during CBT for anxiety disorders (Craske et al., 2008).
First, evidence suggests that focusing on tolerating fear versus eliminating fear yields better clinical outcomes in the long term. Namely, teaching clients that fear and anxiety are normal feelings, rather than attempting to “down-regulate” such feelings all the time, is more realistic and seems to engender “hardier” clients. Second, helping clients to generate an expectancy that “scary things will not happen,” is very powerful. To do this, it is important for clinicians to create more complex exposure exercises (i.e., tasks in which a client confronts a stimulus of which they are afraid), using multiple feared stimuli instead of one at a time. Then, the lack of a feared outcome becomes particularly surprising and memorable for a client and fear reduction is more potent. Third, increasing the accessibility and retrievability of non-fear memories learned during treatment are powerful factors in mitigating against a return of fear. Craske and colleagues demonstrated that exposure to variations of a feared stimulus, using a random schedule across multiple contexts or situations, is more effective than exposure to the same stimulus, on a predictable schedule, in an unchanging environment. The former paradigm, it is argued, creates stronger non-fear memories that are easier for a client to access when subsequently confronting feared objects or situations outside of the therapy context, than the later scenario.
In sum, clinicians have long been aware that some fear or anxiety returns following very successful CBT treatment. As mentioned above, there are some clear, empirically supported ways to modify the therapy we provide to further help clients generalize the gains made in therapy sessions to the real world.
20 Years Experience
Anxiety or Fears
Sharie Naylor, Risen Counseling LLC
Licensed Professional Counselor, MA, LPC
Anxiety and fear can control your life. It can paralyze you and hold your thoughts, decisions, and emotions hostage. Anxiety and fear can hinder you from growth and the ability to be the best you can be. In many instances when battling anxiety there is a root problem and emotional wound that cause the symptoms of anxiety. With therapy, I can help you perform the inner work to wounds that cause the symptoms of anxiety. In therapy, I can help you perform the inner work to combat the negative self-talk by learning life giving statements and tackling the root cause of the issues.
8 Years Experience
Anxiety or Fears
Aguib Diop
Psychologist, PhD, LP, PSYPACT
Are you willing to face your fears? Facing them involves changing the thoughts or ideas that are maintaining them. In addition, it's important to gradually expose yourself to your fear or source of anxiety. Doing so has been effective in helping us conquer even our most feared situations.
17 Years Experience
Anxiety or Fears
Lauren Rothstein
Psychologist, Ph.D.
I offer support and guidance to help individuals navigate and overcome challenges that arise from these emotions. Using evidence-based techniques, I create a safe space for exploration, providing coping strategies, and fostering resilience for a more empowered and balanced life.
10 Years Experience
Anxiety or Fears
Unique Counseling, LLC
Counselor/Therapist, EdD, LPC
To minimize anxiety and fear, you will be taught the necessary skills to improve your symptoms of anxiety, and work to not let anxiety and fear interrupt your daily activities.
15 Years Experience