Often clients come in overthinking, ruminating, worrying too much, and not being able to “turn off” anxious thoughts. I wish there was a quick and easy fix I could give them to manage anxiety and overthinking- but the reality is that it takes a lot of hard work from YOU! Trust me, I’ve had to do the work too! 🔨

Here’s part of my strategy to manage anxious thoughts:

1. Awareness- Notice when you’re experiencing anxious thoughts. Notice them nonjudgementally, just let them exist and take inventory of the content.

2. Challenge - Challenge your thoughts. I like to ask, “what evidence do I have that these thoughts are true?”. Be a detective, don’t trust your thoughts outright.

3. Problem Solve- Is there something you’re worried about that you can actually do something to change? If so- focus on what you can do to solve the problem in the future. If there’s nothing you can do to change it, let it go. ✅

4. Mindfulness- Practice mindfulness daily. These skills only work if you practice them! Be present with yourself and your thoughts, know they can’t hurt you and that the uncomfortable feelings will pass.

This strategy takes a lot of hard work- but it WORKS!

Let’s work together to put this strategy into action. What other strategies work for you? 💕

counseling, mental health, portland, therapistEmelie DouglasAugust 30, 2018anxietysupport, anxietyrelief, anxietysucks, anxietyawareness, anxietyquote, anxietymemes, anxietymeme, anxiety help, anxietyattackComment

meet my therapy dog, feist!

Let me introduce you to my dog, Feist! 🐶

You might see Feist occasionally during our sessions together and you are welcome to request her for animal assisted therapy! She is a total cuddle bug and does great with kids too.

Animals are great partners for people with mental health challenges, I know my dog and cats help me immensely when I’m feeling overwhelmed. 💕

Do you have a pet that helps you with your mental health challenges?! Send me photos 😍📥

counseling, therapist, mental healthEmelie DouglasAugust 25, 2018Portlandtherapy, mentalhealthawareness, Therapydog, mentalhealth, anxietyawareness, anxiety, anxiety help, portlandtherapist, mentalhealthadvocate, Portlandoregon, Portland, mentalhealthbloggerComment

it’s monday!

It’s Monday again which means I’m doing the best I can to focus on getting back into the work week! ☀️

This weekend I was able to get out into nature with loved ones and our pets! The weather was perfect and I even had a chance to stand professionally next to this tree! 😂

Anyone else not ready for summer to end??

mental health, therapist, counselingEmelie DouglasAugust 13, 2018bipolardepression, anxietyhelp, breakthestigma, authenticity, anxietyquotes, awareness, anxious, anxietyattack, advocate, anxietymeme, anxietyrelief, anxietydisorder, albertaarts, cityofportland, anxietywarrior, counseling, counselinglife, dailymeditation, anxietysupport, believeinyourself, anxiety, bipolarawareness, anxietysucks, counselor, Self care #selflove #flower #flowers #flowerstagram #takecareofyourself #selfcaresaturday #saturdayvibes #selfcaretips #hiking #hike #mentalhealth #explore #hiker #getoutside #yesatherapist #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthwarriors #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthadvocate #mentalillness #anxiety #anxietyhelp #depression #depressionrecovery #depressionhelp #anxietyrecovery #ptsdrecovery #pdx #portland, anxietyquote, beinghuman, anxietyawareness, dailyinspiration, badasswomen, bipolardisorder, anxietymemes, bekindtoyourself, counselingpsychology, albertaartsdistrict, couples counseling, bipolardisorderawareness Comment