Counseling for Stress & Stress-Related Medical Conditions

Everyone experiences stress. Stressful circumstances are unavoidable, yet we spend a remarkable amount of time trying to avoid stressful or unpleasant circumstances, thoughts, or emotions. You can notice this in simple things, like keeping the radio or TV on all the time or finding yourself looking in the refrigerator when you're clearly not hungry. Often we focus on changing our circumstances in ways we believe will bring more peace: "I'll feel better when I get out of this job, get a new house, or find the one." This usually doesn't work, or it brings only temporary relief before the stress and tension return.

The range of medical conditions caused or worsened by stress is enormous (see a partial list of stress-related medical conditions). Many are inadvertently fueled by our efforts to avoid unpleasant experiences. People with frequent headaches worry about having pain; chronic heartburn creates worry about diet. All this worry creates more stress, leading to more symptoms.

Angela helps people find peace in the midst of constant change. Sessions are designed to teach you how to break the cycle of stress and worry so you are less affected by daily circumstances you cannot change.

What to expect

Counseling is provided in a relaxed atmosphere and focuses on helping you feel comfortable right from the beginning. The first few sessions are spent getting to know one another, understanding the problem thoroughly, and clarifying goals. Although some techniques may help right away, counseling typically works more slowly than other treatments but often has more lasting positive effects.

Clients experiencing pain or other medical conditions will be asked to have a full medical workup if they have not already. Angela often collaborates with your other medical providers; in the first session you'll be asked to give written consent for Angela to contact them, allowing a multidisciplinary team approach.

Approach to counseling

Angela uses Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) to help clients with stress-related medical conditions, an approach shown to be highly effective. This present-focused perspective is developed through specific techniques taught in session and practiced at home. Over time, clients develop new ways to work with tension, worry, and discomfort, with a growing sense of freedom. Many are able to release unnecessary tension held in the body, work with discomfort that can't be released, and learn from emotions that have become entangled with uncomfortable physical sensations. Angela may also incorporate family systems and cognitive approaches to examine how your thoughts and habits around your condition affect your experience.

Mindfulness definition from The Mindfulness Solution: Everyday Practices for Everyday Problems by Ronald D. Siegel, PsyD.

Or call (919) 868-6242.

In-network with BCBS, Aetna, Cigna/Evernorth, and CareSource. Fees & insurance.