don't let what ifs control you anymore
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don't let what ifs control you anymore ~
Anxiety Attacks, Phobias & Panic Disorder Support
Stop letting anxiety rule and get your life back
Virtual therapy sessions in Reston, VA for phobias, irrational fears, panic/anxiety attacks and what if thinking
Virtual throughout Virginia, DC, Maryland, Indiana & Michigan
DO YOU HAVE A FEAR OF
driving on unfamiliar or busy roads • flying • passing out • being too far from home • soiling yourself • being alone • feeling trapped • feeling nauseous or getting sick • heart pounding • losing control • depersonalization • nighttime • going to the store • stomach aches • feeling off • allergic reactions
As a former panic attack and agoraphobia sufferer, I get it.
Recovery from panic & anxiety attacks happens when we let ourselves feel anxious
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Recovery from panic & anxiety attacks happens when we let ourselves feel anxious 〰️
I’m Kate!
a therapist & panic attack/anxiety specialist in Reston, VA working with adults who are anxious about feeling anxious. I help them get back to life by learning to work with their anxiety & fear instead of against it.
Panic, anxiety attacks & fear aren’t the problem, it’s how we treat them.
Stop resisting discomfort. Embrace it instead.
My clients struggle as you do. Despite being high functioning, driven and self aware, life is hard. When they first come to see me they’ve had an anxiety or panic attack and now they’re dreading experiencing it again. This fear of panicking has turned into a phobia and now they’re avoiding travel, being alone, going too far from home, or staying anywhere they could feel stuck.
They’ve tried all the tricks and skills: the breathing exercises, grounding techniques, meditations, and therapy. But they’ve been left wondering why they still aren’t getting better. They worry about being out of control and how it makes them feel. They’re scared that a panic or anxiety attack will make them go crazy or permanently damage them. They monitor their symptoms constantly, like checking their blood pressure or heart rate. Avoiding symptoms and sensations that they feel like they can’t handle has become an everyday priority.
They want freedom, not just symptom management. They’re tired of being told to just breathe or splash cold water on their face and get over it. They’re tired of needing an escape plan everywhere they go just in case a panic attack happens.
These phobias and fears interrupt the life they want in so many ways. They aren’t the kind of partner or friend they want to be. They feel like they’re letting others down because they have to cancel plans and back out of commitments if it involves a longer drive or going to a new place they aren’t familiar with. Staying in their comfort zone or with their safe person has become a non-negotiable. And their confidence that they could ever go shopping, pick up the kids from school, or take that dream vacation without panicking is tanking.
Before they came to see me, their anxiety made them believe they’d be stuck feeling this way forever, in a state of avoidance and hyper-vigilance over every symptom. They would feel so much relief when the panic attack finally subsided, only to plan and prep in fear for the next one. They thought they were broken, their nervous system beyond repair. They worried they must be the only one who panics over basic tasks and “normal” life things. And they were pretty certain they would have to succumb to the anxiety forever, limiting so much they wanted to do. Their panic attacks and fear of discomfort was debilitating.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Recovery means we no longer fear our anxious feelings.
Recovery happens when we stop fighting so hard against feeling scary feelings. This doesn’t mean we have no anxiety or never have a panic attack again. It means we let ourselves feel whatever we’re feeling and continue on with our day!
Read more about what anxiety recovery looks like here or schedule a consultation with Kate to start seeing an anxiety specialist in Reston, VA.
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There isn’t a miracle method or quick fix to a panic attack and you probably know this if you’ve tried every trick in the book! What can help most is actually dropping the fight or resistance to the panic. Once you stop fighting it, the panic gets bored with you and moves on. Read more about how to stop a panic attack here.
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A panic attack is very sudden and can come out of nowhere. They can include sensations like dread or feeling that something bad will happen, rapid breathing, dizziness or stomaches, and shakiness. They can lead to avoiding places or situations that trigger them.
Anxiety attacks can happen more gradually and you can usually point to a cause- like a current stressor of major life event.
Like my clients, you deserve to live without fear & anxiety controlling your life.
Doing what you want without fearing you’ll lose control is not out of your reach. If you want to leave the house without dread, I’d love to help you get there. Reach out now. You don’t have to suffer like this anymore. I can help.
How to get started:
Click here to schedule your free consultation, or send me an email at rrcounseling.info@gmail.com
Schedule your intake
Start sessions with Kate, an anxiety specialist in Reston, VA and start living again!