It depends on your history, goals, and the methods used. Some feel relief in a few sessions; others need longer-term work. What matters is that you’re not stuck in it alone anymore.
Yes, healing is rarely a straight line. Revisiting painful memories or patterns can temporarily increase distress—but a skilled therapist will guide you through safely and at your pace.
Absolutely. Evidence-based therapies like EMDR, CBT, and somatic approaches can help your nervous system regulate, reduce symptoms, and help you feel safer in your body and mind.
If your anxiety feels overwhelming, irrational, or rooted in past experiences that still feel “alive,” it may be linked to unresolved trauma. Flashbacks, hypervigilance, and emotional numbness are also key signs.
Trauma is a response to a deeply distressing event, while anxiety is the ongoing sense of worry or fear that can result from that trauma. Trauma often lives in the body, whereas anxiety tends to loop in the mind but they often go hand-in-hand.
Stress is short-term and often situation-specific. Burnout is long-term, chronic, and doesn’t go away with a weekend off. If you feel emotionally drained, disconnected, or like you’ve hit a wall no matter how much you rest, it’s likely burnout—not just stress.
Yes, chronic stress can have lasting effects on mental and physical health, including increased risk of heart disease, digestive issues, anxiety disorders, and decreased overall well-being.
Consider seeking help if stress becomes overwhelming, leads to chronic anxiety or depression, or interferes with daily life and relationships. A mental health professional can provide strategies and support.
If stress leads to significant distress, impairs daily functioning, or results in physical health issues, it may be time to seek help. Signs include persistent anxiety, sleep disturbances, and difficulty concentrating.
Yes, in moderate amounts, stress can be motivating and help improve performance in challenging situations. This is often referred to as “eustress,” which is the positive form of stress.