Do you fixate on certain thoughts or doubts? Do you repeat rituals? Do you have a persistent image or thought that causes you anxiety?

Maybe you find yourself trying to suppress certain thoughts or images through another action or thought. Maybe you need absolute certainty in order to feel safe—this could impact any part of your day from how you think, work, or manage life. You are paralyzed to leave the house before checking that door for the 10th time. You feel dirty for having a thought about sex that will not leave. You feel ultimately responsible for thoughts or actions relating to safety of someone or yourself that are not yours to carry. You find yourself micromanaging thoughts, situations or relationships because any shred of uncertainty feels unsafe. In this often-hidden struggle that can sometimes feel like a prison, you might be feeling isolated and like no one could possibly understand what it is like to be you with these specific fears.  Your brain may be experiencing specific symptoms like racing, looping or “stuck” thoughts. Your body may be experiencing specific symptoms like heart racing, sweating, nausea, etc.… that leave you feeling confused, ashamed, or unsure of what to do. Or you might find that you have avoided certain situations altogether. You may even be experiencing these symptoms in a relationship with God. Well-intentioned people around you may be keeping you stuck in a cycle of seeking reassurance. Maybe you are a loved one seeking guidedance on how to support a loved one seeking treatment (it may surprise you!).

This specific kind of anxiety requires clinical treatment that is different than standard general anxiety treatment. I want to sit with you in your places of fear, doubt, uncertainty, and heightened sense of responsibility and over time show you the source of peace. One technique we may use is ERP (Exposure Response Prevention). Some sessions may involve our educating your loved one on how to support your ERP treatment. Let’s look at what may be behind some of the symptoms and thoughts you are experiencing, create exposures together to address core fears, and discuss what holistic support for you can look like to help your nervous system to experience calm.