- What made you decide to choose therapy as a profession?
Jenny first went to school for meteorology, but slowly became fascinated by social work and mental health and eventually switched over to therapy.
- How long have you been a therapist?
It has been 10 years in total.
- Does it seem that anxiety is on the rise in all ages?
It is a combination of being more aware plus a lot more pressures that people have to deal with these days. For example: longer work hours, political stress, less family time etc. Additionally, society as a whole are sleeping and moving less as well as eating more unhealthy foods.
- What are the main triggers of anxiety?
This depends on if it is situational anxiety or clinical anxiety. There are triggers in relationships, memories from childhood, life transitions and dealing with boundaries that are more situational. Clinical anxiety is where you have an obsessive worry, or fear in life, that is making a major impact on your daily life, due to the avoidance of whatever is causing the fear.
- Are many of your patients on medications as well?
Overall the average is more people tend to seek medication first before therapy but amongst Jenny’s practice it’s about 50/50 with who is taking medication additionally.
Jenny recommends the article “The Privilege of Being ‘Against’ Mental Health Medication”.
- What stages do you find people coming into therapy at?
Jenny has seen all stages but specializes with those who have tried other methods in anxiety and are now looking for a specialist in dealing with their anxiety.
- How long do you usually work with your clients?
Jenny tries to give you the tools to maintain your anxiety and has a more short term program that is 3 months on average.
- What tools do you have for those dealing with anxiety and use during your treatments?
People want information at the beginning, they just want some relief. Jenny provides information about how normal anxiety is and how we need to shift our mindset around anxiety. The next steps are becoming more aware of our thoughts and externalize the anxiety separate from ourselves. Jenny uses the example of viewing your anxiety as an annoying friend that you acknowledge but keep apart from. She also provides tools on how to realize when we are having anxious thoughts and understand that they are beefed up thoughts that are not based on facts, such as interpreting a look from a friend in the wrong way, etc.
- What advice do you have for those who are already in the middle of a panic attack?
On average a panic attack will peak at around 10 minutes so Jenny helps remind her patients that the panic attack will be gone soon and to ride it out like a wave, it will not last forever. It is helpful to slow your breathing and also write a card that you can use with the best coping strategies that work best for you.
- What barriers are preventing people from going to therapy?
Time is the number one barrier, it would be fantastic if more employers offer in house therapists to make it more accessible.
- What are some tools that people could use when they are just starting to research how to deal with their anxiety?
There are wonderful books and podcasts that specialize in anxiety. The struggle with reading a variety of books is it can become overwhelming to hear differing opinions and paths to take.
- How do you know if you have found the right therapist, are there questions you should be asking when you first meet a new therapist?
Many therapists offer a free consultation that is a good way to test out if you feel comfortable with each other and are a good match. It is also helpful if you are able to name specifically what you hope to gain out of going to therapy so the therapist can know if they are a good fit for you.
- Is there a therapist database or is it best to search through your insurance company?
Insurance is a great place to start. Psychology Today is a directory you can use for a list of local therapists. Also, ask for referrals from people you trust, word of mouth can help narrow down the list as well.
- What do you recommend for couples, when one couple is dealing with anxiety? Is it best for each spouse to attend therapy separate or together?
If both partners are willing, it is best if both spouses go to therapy. If you are going to couples therapy Jenny recommends you use separate therapists to get unbiased opinions.
- What do you recommend for children with anxiety? Should the parents be going with the children or each separately? Also, what behaviors should parents watch out for that may indicate the child is suffering from anxiety?
Usually you will see more physical complaints from children when it comes to anxiety such as stomach aches, or other body aches. They also use avoidance such as not wanting to go to school. Families who accommodate a child’s anxiety is the norm, but also can strengthen the anxiety in the children. It is very helpful when parents learn from therapists on how to handle their children’s anxiety and are included in the therapy sessions with the child.
- What workshops do you offer for parents of children who are struggling with anxiety?
They are a few weeks long and typically about two hours long for each session. They provide resources on how to bring home best practices that will be beneficial for children who have anxiety. Jenny anticipates having more workshops in the future since they are increasingly popular.
- Any tips for reducing our stress and anxiety during the Holiday season?
It is helpful to manage expectations of what the Holidays will be like. Say no to events or tasks that are overwhelming. Buy cookies instead of baking them if it helps relieve your stress.
- What books or podcasts do you recommend for those dealing with anxiety?
Podcasts: ATParenting, The Anxiety Tool Kit, Dear Anxiety, OCD Stories
Books: “Anxious Kids Anxious Parents”, “Don’t Panic”, “Stopping the Noise in Your Head”.