Meet stress head-on
Stress Management
What is stress?
Imagine stress like it is the weather in your mind. At times, it may be a mist, barely there, hardly noticeable, others, like a roaring torrential downpour in the midst of a hurricane. Within the framework of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), we learn not to be angry about the weather and walk in doom and gloom, but to adapt, to carry an umbrella, and on days that the wind it too great for the umbrella to work, to don our full body scuba gear and face the rain to continue in the direction of what truly matters. Stress is not inherently bad. It’s our internal signal system—a flare indicating that something important is at stake. But how we relate to that stress makes all the difference between living adaptively and getting stuck in the storm.
Different kinds of coping: Helpful and Unhelpful
Helpful coping considers what stress is trying to tell you about the world and yourself. It isn’t something that takes over your life. Coping with stress in helpful ways can look different for different people.
In contrast, unhelpful coping with stress consists of the stress starting to become a focus of your life. It can lead to avoidance, overly focusing on things and imaging worst case situations, and/or numbing yourself.
If it feels like stress has taken over your life, there is hope.
Choose between Psychotherapy and Coaching
Stress Management via therapy or coaching
Psychotherapy
Therapy, particularly Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), can be an effective approach for individuals who are overwhelmed by chronic or clinical levels of stress, such as burnout, anxiety disorders, or trauma-related stress. It is especially beneficial for those who experience stress as deeply connected to past experiences or rigid self-narratives and wish to explore their psychological history, emotional patterns, and unconscious defenses. Through therapy, individuals can untangle the complex web of underlying causes generating their stress responses, ultimately fostering psychological flexibility and better preparing them to manage stress more effectively in the future.
Coaching
Coaching, unlike psychotherapy approaches like ACT, focuses on action and the future. It suits those without insurance or significant emotional distress who feel stuck or unmotivated. If your actions don’t align with your goals or life desires, coaching might help. A coach works with you to create accountability and set strategic goals, rather than addressing emotional issues. Coaches don’t diagnose or treat mental health conditions and may refer you to therapy if needed. Stress coaching aims to help you maximize potential and navigate stress with a clearer plan and better tools for future challenges.
Book Your Session today.
Reflect Grow. Thrive.
Stress is not a flaw to fix, it isn’t weather to avoid, but a signal to understand. Whether through psychotherapy or coaching, you don’t have to face it alone. With the right support, you can learn to stand in the rain, umbrella in hand, and move forward towards a life that reflects your deepest values. If you’re unsure which path is right for you, reach out today. To learn more about the providers working within this area of focus, click on the names below:
Dr. Katie Card