Many people enjoy the beauty of nature in San Marcos. I think of the people who hike Double Peak or walk around Discovery Lake. Being in nature is relaxing. It's a change from work, school, busy schedules, chores, and your never-ending to-do list.

Sometimes, besides the regular stress of the week, you may experience added stressors. You’re waiting for the results of some medical test. Traffic congestion due to road construction is making your drive to work or to pick up the kids harder. There are rumors of a layoff at your job, and you just saw your child’s grades. It’s a lot. All of it.

If you’re like many people, stress may be weighing on you.

Stress can come from external events, illnesses, injuries, and even from past experiences. How much stress can one body take? Everyone is different. Some people are more resilient in the face of certain stressors.

So how do you know if you’ve reached your limit and now may be dealing with underlying anxiety?

You can track a few things:

• Are you feeling uneasy about the future almost every day? Has it been going on for half the year? While it’s common for people to feel uneasy about aspects of the future at times, it’s really the degree of your uneasiness, and how long it’s been going on.

• Are you worrying about lots of things in general and it feels like you can’t stop thinking about all those things? Worried about how you're doing at work? How your kids are doing? Worried about the future, late-breaking news and the list goes on.

  • Usually with generalized anxiety, the focus of worries is different than the worries that people experience when they fear social situations, separation from loved ones, and germs. Those worries often fall into other categories. So do the worries associated with body image, weight, and food intake.

• Are you experiencing changes in your sleep and mood? Changes may be caused by many things, but when you’re experiencing several of the following, it could be a sign you’re struggling with anxiety.

  • Your sleep is not good. You lay awake or wake up several times in the middle of the night.

  • You’re less patient and more annoyed with your family and situations.

  • Your worries sometimes make it more difficult to concentrate.

  • Your muscles are often tense. You notice you carry stress in your shoulders and neck.

  • When you get to the end of your day you’re out of energy, whether you slept well or not.

• Have you thought about possible causes? It’s important to consider if what you’re experiencing is due to the side effects of a substance or a medication. You also need to consider if it could be due to a medical issue, like an overactive thyroid.

• How is your overall functioning? After you consider all the above questions, consider how much all of this is interfering with your life. How is it affecting your relationship with your spouse, kids, and other loved ones? How much is it impacting your performance at work? Are you socializing with friends?

Do you need to go to therapy for Anxiety?

If you went through the above questions, you may be wondering if you need to go to therapy. If your many worries and symptoms are overwhelming, the support of a therapist can help.

Therapists help people with anxiety. While your family and friends may be helpful, they may not listen well. They may provide you with lots of advice you didn’t ask for. Internet searches and YouTube videos can yield a lot of great self-help information.

Yet, none of these compare to having a trained professional actively listen and guide you. Meeting with a therapist face-to-face is one of the most powerful aspects of therapy.

What is the best type of therapist to see for Anxiety in San Marcos, CA?

The best type of therapist, for any issue, is a therapist who builds a trusting relationship with you. They also provide competent help. If you're looking for medication for your anxiety, then you would want to make an appointment with a psychiatrist. Psychiatrists are doctors who prescribe medication.

If that isn’t where you want to begin, then you would search for a therapist who holds a mental health license. In California, these are the choices; Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, or Licensed Psychologist.

Think about the qualities that might help you trust a therapist. You need to trust enough so that you can open up and share what you’re experiencing.

• Would you feel more comfortable speaking to a woman or a man?

• Do you want to meet with a generalist who works with all types of issues? Or a therapist who provides a lot of therapy for anxiety?

• Do you want to use your insurance? Some therapists are out-of-network providers, other therapists are in-network with your insurance. Working with your insurance means your therapist may be asked to share records of your confidential sessions.

• Do you want someone who shares a similar worldview?

• Do you want a therapist with a cultural background that aligns with yours?

What is the best treatment for Anxiety for Adults?

Here are several points about “best treatment”.

1. The relationship

   Research repeatedly shows that the quality of the relationship is an important factor in therapy effectiveness. This is true in general, for lots of issues including anxiety.

2. The therapist’s training in anxiety treatment

   Therapists’ training varies, so ask questions about that. Younger therapists may have less experience, but they may have solid, current training. More experienced therapists may instill confidence with a longer track record. They still need to have a solid grasp of how to treat anxiety. It’s a good idea to search for information on therapists’ websites. Search for their experience working with adults struggling with anxiety. See what kind of training they have with anxiety treatment.

3. The therapist’s approach to treating anxiety

   Regarding a therapist’s approach, they may have several different approaches. Basically, they probably have more than one tool or skill to help clients. And there may be more than one theory that they rely on when providing therapy. This is the case with most therapists. Yet, you may not connect with a certain approach. Additionally, the theory behind the approach may not align with your worldview.

Is anxiety treatment a one size fits all experience?

The bottom line is that anxiety treatment is individualized. That’s why, it’s a good idea to “shop” for a therapist. Referrals from friends can be helpful. You may also determine through research what you think is the best treatment for you. Then you may find a therapist who provides that treatment. But, if that person isn't the right therapist for you, therapy may not be as helpful as you hoped.

I recommend taking advantage of complimentary phone consultations with therapists. Many offer them for free. Talking with a therapist can let you know if they're someone you want to meet with on a regular basis. You'll also get a sense of if they can help you.

After you find a therapist, you may meet a couple of times and then realize you don't like therapy with this person. It doesn’t mean that therapy for anxiety won’t help, it just may mean that person wasn’t as good a fit as you initially thought. You can ask for referrals to other therapists. Keep trying. The right help for you is out there.

Free consultation for Anxiety Therapy in San Diego North County

I hope this blog answered some questions about therapy for anxiety. More than that I hope it has eased some anxiety that you may be feeling if you’re considering therapy. If you are looking for a San Marcos therapist for adult anxiety, click here to visit my contact page where you can check my availability and book a free, phone consultation. Click here to learn more about how I help with adult anxiety.