By Donna Brooks, LCP
There’s a holiday decoration high in the sky on a tower of a local Peoria radio station that says HOPE. When we have HOPE, we have an expectation that something we desire will be fulfilled. In my work as a psychotherapist, it’s so gratifying to give individuals a sense of HOPE; that with following proven methods and hard work, they can, and will, feel better! During this holiday season of reflection, maybe you’ve been wondering if there will ever be an end to your emotional pain and suffering. Whether you struggle with anxiety, depression, PTSD, phobias, panic attacks, OCD, an eating disorder, marital difficulties, or any other psychological issue, remember…healthy people get help! With a pristine New Year right around the corner, this could be your time to take steps toward helping yourself feel better than you ever thought possible!
The first step in moving toward healing is finding a therapist that is a good fit for you. Maybe you’ve had a negative experience in the past. Don’t let that keep you from moving forward in your future. Pursue a therapist that you will feel the most comfortable with. Make sure they are credentialed, and knowledgeable concerning your area of struggle. During your first session, it’s normal to feel some anxiety, but as you communicate what you’re experiencing, you will begin to relax. Your therapist will be assessing exactly what it is that is causing your pain. This may include informal or formal testing. We don’t really know how or why it works, but just pouring out your thoughts to a safe person (your confidentiality is protected by law), who is listening with unconditional positive regard, starts the healing process. This “talk therapy” in and of itself plays a large role in recovery.
When individuals present with anxiety and/or depression, there are usually several factors contributing to those feelings. You know better than anyone else what is truly going on inside of you. The therapist’s role will be to ferret that out, and help you get in touch with what’s really bothering you. Many times, there are impossible or unreasonable expectations that we have for ourselves, or for life. These are called “cognitive distortions.” We all think this way at times. The important thing, though, is to catch a distorted thought, and replace it with a reasonable and true belief. This can take diligence, but is well worth it! An example of a cognitive distortion would be black and white thinking. If something falls short of perfect, we see it as a total failure. There are very few things in life that reach perfection, and to have that kind of unrealistic expectation of ourselves can lead to internal turmoil. Conflictual thoughts like these can produce great anxiety, and may lead to depression. The good news is, when healthy habits of thought are reinforced, ultimately new neural pathways are created, and old debilitating symptoms are extinguished.
Maybe you have recently been through a traumatic event. Sometimes we may not realize the degree to which the event has been destabilizing for us, and may not even connect our painful emotional symptoms to that event/s. But our brain certainly knows, because it has catalogued those experiences differently than normal memories. Or, your issue could be a fear (phobia), panic attacks, OCD tendencies, an eating disorder, or marriage/relational difficulties. There are a variety of techniques that are very effective in treating these types of disorders/issues. You do not have to suffer silently.
You may be mourning the loss of a loved one, and feel lost — especially during all the family gatherings and celebrations this time of year. A therapist can help you understand the grieving process, and support you as you experience a myriad of difficult feelings.
As you’re reading this article, you may feel a stirring inside. This could be the activation of HOPE in your heart. HOPE that you could really feel better. During this season, when gifts are exchanged, why not give yourself the gift of taking time for yourself, and make an appointment with a therapist or psychologist to begin your journey of healing? Let HOPE lead you to a new place of peace and wholeness!
For more information, contact John R. Day & Associates, Christian Psychological Associates, located at 3716 West Brighton Avenue, Peoria, or their locations in Normal, Canton, Pekin, Princeton, or Eureka. Call us at 309-692-7755 or visit us online: christianpsychological.org.
About the Author: Donna Jaree Brooks is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. She has worked as a psychotherapist in private practice at John R. Day and Associates/Christian Psychological Associates since 1997. She is also a published songwriter, and sees her work as a psychotherapist and songwriter dovetailing beautifully toward the same goal of bringing encouragement, healing, wholeness, and hope to individuals.
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