ANXIETY THERAPIST IN ORANGE COUNTY
Anxiety Therapy
WE ARE ANXIETY THERAPISTS
Welcome to Ashley Hudson Therapy
You may be in a constant state of worry, on edge and easily tearful, irritated at every little thing, and panicky at the drop of a hat. We understand, and we are here to help.
We help people develop coping strategies that work specifically for them and build their confidence, so people feel more equipped in managing their stress and anxiety.
If you are ready to start feeling better, schedule your first appointment with anxiety therapist today.
Our approach to Anxiety Therapy
Anxiety is something that every person has. There is good anxiety that helps protect you, keeps you safe, be diligent in the workforce, and motivated in school. Anxiety improves your self-awareness and keeps you committed to improving yourself in relationships. However, there is not so good anxiety. Anxiety that becomes overwhelming or uncontrollable.
Two things are happening when anxiety becomes too much. The fight or flight response is overly responding. The body is essentially tricking itself to go into fight or flight mode which means you feel like you are constantly having to protect yourself or feeling unsafe. When uncontrollable or “not good” anxiety is present, the body thinks there is imminent danger. Thus, you might have a difficult time shaking off paranoia or nervousness.
The other thing that could be happening when anxiety is unmanageable is overthinking and overanalyzing your actions and daily situations. For example, you might feel very insecure when you are around friends or trying to initiate conversations with others. In relationships, someone who struggles with anxiety might be excessively thinking, “Did I do that right?” “Did I say that right?” “Did I hurt their feelings?”
Pertaining to school, someone who has overwhelming anxiety can be constantly worried about whether or not they did well on test or worried they aren’t going to get everything done on time. It is difficult to meet everyone’s expectations, let alone please everyone. People who struggle with anxiety feel crushed disappointing others and not making others happy.
Our approach as anxiety therapists are helping people identify specific coping skills and self-care strategies that work for them. There are several practical and creative coping skills out there and it’s important to utilize the coping skills that create calmness, relaxation, and joy. We help people explore their thoughts, the evidence behind their worries, and replace unrealistic thoughts with accurate ones. In anxiety therapy, we strive to come from a place of understanding and compassion. We help others slow down, be confident in who they are, and eliminate self-doubt.
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Are you ready to be confident and know you are good enough? Anxiety therapy is a chance to work on balancing out your anxiety and be assured you can manage your worries. Contact our anxiety therapists today for an appointment.
COMMON
ANXIETY SYMPTOMS
IN YOUNG ADULTS
Anxiety symptoms can vary from person to person, but there are some common signs and symptoms that young adults may experience. It's important to note that experiencing some anxiety is a normal part of life, but when these symptoms become severe, persistent, and interfere with daily functioning, it may indicate an anxiety disorder. Here are some common anxiety symptoms in young adults:
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Excessive worry: Young adults with anxiety often experience excessive and uncontrollable worry about a variety of things, such as school, work, relationships, health, or the future.
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Restlessness: Young adults with anxiety feel on edge and may find it difficult to relax or concentrate due to a constant state of unease.
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Physical symptoms: Anxiety can manifest physically, leading to symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, chest tightness, trembling, sweating, dizziness, stomachaches, headaches, or muscle tension.
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Sleep problems: Anxiety can disrupt sleep patterns, causing difficulties falling asleep, staying asleep, or experiencing restless sleep. Young adults may also have vivid dreams or nightmares related to their worries.
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Avoidance: young adults may engage in avoidance behaviors to stay away from any situation that might cause anxiety, such as avoiding social events, being in large crowds, initiating conversations, public speaking, or applying for a job.
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Easily overwhelmed: Young adults with anxiety might be constantly on guard and hyperaware of potential threats or dangers in their environment. They may experience an exaggerated startle response or feel easily overwhelmed by their environment.
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Difficulty with decision-making: Anxiety can make decision-making challenging for young adults. They may excessively worry about making the wrong choice or fear the future consequences of their decisions.
WHY DO I HAVE ANXIETY?
Teenagers and young adults can experience anxiety due to a combination of factors. Hormonal changes during adolescence, genetic predisposition, and brain chemistry imbalances may contribute to the development of anxiety disorders. Additionally, environmental factors such as stressful life events, social and academic pressures, body image issues, and the impact of social media and technology can increase anxiety in teenagers and young adults. Family dynamics, including overprotective parenting and high levels of family conflict, can also play a role. It's important to recognize that not all teenagers and young adults will develop anxiety disorders, but these factors can contribute to their vulnerability.
COMMON
ANXIETY SYMPTOMS
IN TEENAGERS
While anxiety symptoms can differ among individuals, there are common signs and symptoms experienced by teenagers. It's worth noting that experiencing some level of anxiety is normal, but if symptoms become severe, persistent, and disrupt daily functioning, they may indicate an anxiety disorder. Here are common anxiety symptoms in teenagers:
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Excessive worry: Like young adults, teenagers with anxiety often experience excessive and persistent worry about a variety of issues, such as school performance, social interactions, family matters, or future plans.
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Irritability and mood changes: Teenagers with anxiety may display irritability, restlessness, or have sudden mood swings. They may become easily agitated, have outbursts of anger, or experience intense emotions.
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Physical symptoms: Anxiety can manifest physically, leading to symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, chest tightness, trembling, sweating, dizziness, stomachaches, headaches, or muscle tension.
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Sleep disturbances: Anxiety can disrupt sleep patterns in teenagers, resulting in difficulties falling asleep, staying asleep, or experiencing restless sleep.
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School avoidance or decline in academic performance: Anxiety can lead to school-related difficulties for teenagers. They may avoid going to school, experience significant distress about attending, or their academic performance may decline due to difficulties concentrating and focusing.
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Social withdrawal: Teenagers with anxiety may withdraw from social interactions, avoid social situations, or experience heightened self-consciousness and fear of judgment. They may have fewer friends or struggle to initiate or maintain relationships.
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Perfectionism and self-criticism: Anxiety can contribute to perfectionistic tendencies in teenagers, where they set excessively high standards for themselves and become overly self-critical. They may fear making mistakes or disappointing others.
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Difficulty with transitions: Teenagers with anxiety may have difficulty adjusting to transitions or changes in their lives, such as moving to a new school, starting a new job, or experiencing significant life events. They may feel overwhelmed by the uncertainty or fear of the unknown.
ANXIETY THERAPY FAQs
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Do you provide in person therapy?Yes, I provide in person therapy and online therapy. Typically, it is whatever feels convenient and comfortable for the client.
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What is the length of therapy?There is no definitive answer to this question. Though it’s safe to say some individuals find a few sessions are sufficient, while others choose to continue long-term (over 20 sessions). Often individuals choose to continue to work with me through additional layers as they arise while others choose to address additional items outside of the therapeutic context. We can collaborate together to help you make the ultimate choice for yourself.
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What do I need on my first appointment?Prior to your appointment, please complete and sign the consent form, intake form, and good faith estimate.
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Why choose online therapy?Online therapy is special in its own way because you can sit and chat with me from the comfort of your own home, office, car, or where ever feels most comfortable for you. Life is busy and full of commitments. Online therapy saves time on commute, relieves stress on rushing to make your appointment, and helps with worries of childcare. Also, sometimes it is hard for others to open up in an office setting. Online therapy is a great alternative and it allows you to sit in a place of your choosing that might help relieve those barriers.
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Why don't you take insurance?I like the ability to be flexible and customize my clinical approach based on my clients needs in a way that benefits my clients without being limited by insurance companies. Insurance companies require mental health professionals to provide diagnosis and treatment plans reducing confidentiality. In addition, insurance companies can limit the number of sessions and can deny request to increase number of session a client can have.
Get help
FROM AN ANXIETY THERAPIST
If you are ready to start living a more calm and balanced life, contact an anxiety therapist today to set up your first meeting so we can start the anxious free journey together.