You experience negative self-talk.
Do you struggle with harsh, critical thoughts about yourself such as “I’m worthless,” “No one likes me,” or “I’m a failure”? Are you constantly questioning your worth and feeling like you’re not enough, no matter what you do? You may find yourself stuck in a pattern of comparing yourself to others and setting unrealistically high standards for yourself. Maybe you have a difficult time accepting compliments, however you seek approval and validation from others. If any of these experiences resonate with you, you may be struggling with your self-esteem.
Low self-esteem can make you trapped in a vicious cycle of negative beliefs and feelings of shame. These beliefs can be emotionally exhausting and profoundly impact your life. Your feelings about yourself may have been keeping you from trying new things or putting yourself out there. You may have a difficult time accepting compliments and acknowledging your accomplishments. Furthermore, it can affect your relationships with others by making you overly dependent on external validation or experience fears of abandonment.
If you struggle with your self-esteem or negative self-talk, therapy can help you create a more balanced, positive view of yourself. As a licensed counselor in Gainesville, FL, I can assist you in challenging your negative beliefs, building self-compassion, and developing healthier self-esteem. You can break free from that critical inner voice and cultivate a more positive relationship with yourself.
You feel anxious and worried most days.
Do you usually feel nervous, anxious, or on edge? Is a significant part of your day consumed by overthinking and worrying? Do you have a hard time shutting off your brain and just relaxing? Have you recently experienced a panic attack or anxiety attack? If you answered yes to any of these questions, it may be a sign that it’s time to see a therapist for anxiety.
Anxiety is a normal human emotion. It can motivate us to work harder, allow us to be more alert, and drive us to be proactive and prepared. However, too much anxiety can have detrimental effects on your mental health, and it may leave you feeling as if life is spiraling out of control. Anxiety can get in the way of you pursuing your goals and living life the way you want. It can also disrupt your sleep, making it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep. Furthermore, anxiety may also make you feel more irritable and easily annoyed.
Therapy can help you to understand the cause(s) of your anxiety, develop more helpful thinking patterns, and learn coping skills to reduce anxiety. As a therapist in Gainesville, FL, my goal is to help you manage your anxiety, so you can start to live the life you want to live.
You have been feeling down/depressed for over two weeks.
Have you been feeling sad or numb most days? Have you lost interest in activities you used to enjoy? You may have been feeling unmotivated and super low energy, no matter how much you sleep. You might even have had some thoughts that you don't want to exist anymore or you want to end your life.
Depression can feel overpowering and impact every facet of life. The emotional pain from depression can be intense and debilitating. Getting out of bed, showering, or eating can feel like monumental tasks when you're depressed. Depression can disrupt your sleep, your eating, your thinking, and your view of yourself. There is often a lot of shame surrounding depression, and it doesn't make it any easier when people tell you to "just be happy" or "think positive."
Counseling can help you regain control of your life and overcome your depression. A therapist can help you learn new coping strategies, challenge your negative thinking, and find joy in life again. You don't have to suffer in silence anymore. Depression can be treated, and there is hope.
You have been feeling stressed constantly.
Have you been feeling overwhelmed with life? Has it felt like things keep happening one after another, and you haven't had the chance to just rest and recover? Between work/school, relationships, family, and extracurriculars, life can be really demanding. Not to mention, unexpected stressors like car issues, friendship drama, or a breakup can make matters even worse. At times, it can feel like so much is happening that it's difficult to cope with it all.
If you've found yourself in this place of feeling overwhelmed and stressed, you probably wish you could take a month long vacation and escape it all. Unfortunately, for the majority of us, that is just not possible. Therapy can be the place for you to pause, take care of yourself, and unload all of the burdens you've been carrying. A counselor can help you process your stressors, identify your strengths, and learn new tools to manage your stress and anxiety. You'll rediscover your strengths and find your way to a more fulfilling, balanced life.
Starting Therapy in Gainesville, FL
If any of the above scenarios fit with you, it may be time to see a therapist and get the support your deserve. Whether you have seen a therapist before or it's your first time, starting therapy can be anxiety-provoking. As a therapist in Gainesville, FL, I offer free 15 minute consultations to prospective clients to explore your concerns, answer any questions you have, and see if we'd be a good fit. Click here to learn more about me! If you are ready to start therapy, you can reach out to me by call or text at 352-649-3876 or fill out my contact form. It's time to start your journey towards healing and growth.
Written by Sasha Larson, LMHC