By Shlomo Schor, LCPC
The Most Powerful Resource
One of the things that continues to surprise me in my work as a therapist is how swiftly change can occur in my clients. I often see individuals experiencing insight and learning coping skills for handling anxiety or depression in the first few sessions of treatment.
Challenges We Face
I work with people who are struggling with a range of issues including:
- anxiety
- depression
- bipolar disorder
- adjustment issues
- substance use disorders
- post-traumatic stress
I have noticed that in the fast-paced, technology-driven world we live in, people do not give enough weight to the impact of their experiences, both negative and positive. We expect to be able to process a significant life event as fast as we can send an email. One of the most common sentiments I hear expressed in therapy is, “It was just a small thing, I don’t understand why it’s affecting me so much.” Sometimes people try to push an emotional reaction down, saying to themselves, “I shouldn’t be thinking this way” or “I shouldn’t be feeling this way.”
Clients are often surprised to see how anxious or depressive symptoms decrease after sharing what is bothering them. Many individuals have lived with the burden of an unexpressed hurt for so long that it begins to affect their functioning. When people live in a state of stress for an extended period, they become used to being in a state of high arousal. They feel constantly anxious and may also develop other mental and physical health issues.
Getting Help
In my work, I help clients learn to learn:
- self-calming skills through relaxed breathing
- mindfulness techniques
- to identify internal and external triggers for stress and depression
- how to free themselves from the cycle of negative experiences.
I also offer the use of expressive modalities – such as art, sand, and drama – so that my clients can use their inborn creativity to heal. The greatest gift I can send my clients off with is the knowledge that they possess everything they need to heal themselves.
If you or someone you know is experiencing anxiety or depression or in need of other mental health services, please feel free to contact me.
Shlomo Schor MS, LCPC is a licensed professional counselor.
