Anxiety can crop up when we least expect it, and sometimes we’re so preoccupied with everything there is to do, and everyone who needs something from us that we don’t notice it lurking in the background of our lives.  And when we do notice it, it can feel inconvenient - just one more thing to deal with.  But you don’t have to deal with your anxiety alone - therapy can help.  In this post, we’ll explore some common causes of anxiety, and how therapy can help. 

Did you know that women experience anxiety at nearly twice the rate of men? When you think about all the different hats women are expected to wear, it starts to make sense - working professional, parent, childbearing partner, housekeeper, emotional support for everyone in the family - the list goes on.  Juggling all of these different roles can make us overwhelmed, cause us to overthink, and generally worry and feel more stressed.  I’m a Denver anxiety therapist, and through this blog post I’ll help you dig a bit deeper to explore how anxiety shows up in women, and how you can treat it.

If you live in Denver, you are most likely familiar with Wash Park, Denver’s second-largest, and perhaps most frequently visited, park.  Dener is known for its beautiful public parks system, and actually ranks 13th among large cities in the country for the quality of its parks.  Within the 165 acre park, there are both quiet coves to have a peaceful moment, and areas to gather with friends for picnics, sports and strolls.  It’s a great place to go and debrief after a therapy session, whether you’re feeling a little emotionally drained or just feeling empowered to continue the self-care momentum in your day.  As a postpartum therapist in Denver, here are my tips for 5 ways to enjoy Denver’s Wash Park after a postpartum counseling session:

Becoming a parent is a life-changing experience.  There are so many moments filled with joy, excitement and love.  But many new parents struggle mentally during the perinatal period, which begins during pregnancy and lasts through your first year after having a child.  This can look like postpartum depression or anxiety, experiencing trauma symptoms after a difficult birth, struggling with grief after a miscarriage, or general new-parents anxieties and stress.  Many new parents aren’t aware of the resources available to them, or feel overwhelmed at how to get help.  Putting the work into finding a therapist can be the last thing you want to do when you are inundated with dirty diapers and bottles or wash, or in the throes of sadness and grief.  You are certainly not alone in feeling this way, and many therapists specialize in helping people deal with the emotional challenges that come up during family planning and beyond.  As a postpartum therapist in Denver, I want to share some insights as to how to go about finding the right provider for you. Read on for a step-by-step guide to finding the right postpartum therapist for you.

New parent anxiety can be really rough, and most parents go through it at some point in the first few months of their child’s life. It is such a normal part of the transition to parenthood, but when it starts to feel all-encompassing, it can really interfere with your ability to care for yourself, your partner and new baby. Uncertainty, discomfort and doubt are all parts of the new parent journey, and therapy can help you to learn skills to tolerate these feelings, rather than getting dragged into an anxiety spiral when things feel unpredictable or scary. Read on to learn more about how postpartum therapy can help new parents better manage their anxiety and feel more calm and present during this special time in your life.

Colorado is a haven for outdoor sports enthusiasts.  It’s woven into the culture of the front-range cities - on weekends and weekdays alike, you can reliably count on hiking trails in Golden being packed, encountering dozens of trail runners in the flatirons of Boulder, or cyclists and joggers whizzing by you on a walk through Denver’s Wash Park.  Athletes and outdoor lovers are drawn from all over the country to live in places like Denver, Boulder and Colorado Springs.  Boulder county boasts at least 70 olympians live there due to the culture that is so supportive of athletics, in addition to the ability to train at high altitude.  For many people, the connection to nature and exercise is hugely beneficial for both their physical and mental health.  But sometimes, being surrounded by fellow athletes everywhere you look can bring up feelings of pressure, competition and perfectionism.  

Read on for a Denver therapist’s tips for dealing with perfectionism as an endurance athlete in Colorado.

Anxiety disorders are the most commonly diagnosed mental health condition in the US, affecting at least 40 million or 19.1% of adult Americans each year. And those are just the people who are seeking treatment or meet criteria for a diagnosis - many people deal with day-to-day anxiety but don’t feel that they are struggling “enough” to get professional help.  Women are also more likely to be diagnosed with an anxiety condition than men, which makes sense when you think about all the hats we wear and responsibilities we juggle.  So, how do you stop feeling so overwhelmed all the time?  Read on for ways to overcome anxiety from a Denver-based anxiety therapist.

Becoming a new mom is an incredible journey, filled with so many highs and lows.  One minute it can feel like you’re on cloud nine, snuggling with your baby while they nap or soaking in their first smiles and giggles, and the next you’re pulling your hair out over feeding problems, blowouts and sleepless nights.  There can be moments where you feel really connected to your partner and family, sharing this new love and joy that nothing can prepare you for.  And, there can also be moments that feel really lonely, isolating and anxiety-inducing. The transition to motherhood can be the most beautiful time in your life, but also the most challenging.  You don’t have to do this all on your own.  Denver is full of wonderful resources to help you feel connected, supported, and empowered during this season of your  life.  Read on for postpartum mental health resources and baby-friendly self-care activities from a postpartum therapist in. Denver, Colorado.

Life in Denver can pose unique challenges to those who are susceptible to SAD and the winter blues.  Taking in the breathtaking Colorado scenery is something you can enjoy year-round.  But snow, cold temperatures and shorter days also mean nature is less accessible.  For Coloradans who are used to getting so much fulfillment from nature and outdoor activities, adapting to the winter weather can be a huge lifestyle adjustment. The good news is, there are activities and coping tools that you can use to help the winter blues not hit as hard, and combat some of the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder.  Read on for tips to overcome the winter blues in Denver, Colorado. 

The concept of “perfect” is usually subjective, and can be a moving target.  Striving for the perfect job, perfect partner, perfect body - who’s to say when you’ve reached it?  How can you measure these things?  Perfectionism is often rooted in the feeling of not being good enough, and desire to push yourself to work harder, try harder, exercise more, eat less, until you can achieve that feeling.  The problem is, if you are making decisions from a place of not feeling good enough, no amount of working harder or doing more is going to make you feel good enough.

The good news is, it is possible to overcome perfectionism and learn to go easier on yourself.  You can find better work/life balance, make more space for joy and connection, and feel less fearful of failure.  Read on for 5 tips for overcoming perfectionism.

While the holiday season can often be referred to as "the most wonderful time of the year", it can also sometimes feel like the most stressful time of the year.  During the holidays, we are often so focused on what everyone else needs from us - friends, parents, spouses, children - that our own needs get pushed to the wayside.  Booking holiday travel, gift-buying and making time for extended family can often seem to take priority over all else.  However, neglecting our own needs can lead us to feel anxious, depressed  and certainly overwhelmed.  The chaos of the holiday season makes it a time that it is especially important to be mindful of taking care of our own needs - because frankly, if we're not intentional about it, it likely won't happen. Read on for tips on managing Thanksgiving anxiety and holiday stress.