This is officially my first blog post! Wahooooo!

First, why am I doing this??

Deciding whether or not to start this blog was tricky for me. I absolutely love what I do and find that people often ask me for advice given my training and life experiences. On the plus side, this gives me a platform to share what i know and reach many people. On the down side, who has time to write stuff down anymore? Well, I figured I would find the time. Why? Because everyone deserves access to real, practical anxiety information. Every parent deserves to know signs of anxiety in their kids, how to best help their kids, how to teach them about anxiety at a young age, and when to get professional help. I am asked by parents weekly, both in my personal and professional life, if what their child is experiencing is “normal.” 

I feel so fortunate to have received the training I did because without it I would feel completely lost when it comes to managing my own stress and anxiety, as well as recognizing anxiety in my children. There is no manual for this stuff. 

I work with children, adolescents, and adults suffering from anxiety, in addition to parents of anxious kids. I see daily how much relief can come from understanding anxiety, how to manage it, and knowing you are not alone. It breaks my heart when I see people suffering and they do not have access to good treatment or even know there is good treatment out there! I have far too many patients, family members, and friends that have tried many ways to beat their anxiety, and none of them have seemed to work..

My hope for this blog!

I hope this blog helps us to talk more about mental health. Talking about it helps break the stigma. And yes, the stigma is still very real, although I believe we are moving in the right direction. I see daily in my patients the effects of having to hide struggles with anxiety. It adds an extra layer to a person’s anxiety when they have to hide it. Why can we openly talk about a diagnosis of cancer, but not a diagnosis of an anxiety disorder? Is it someone’s fault they have anxiety? NO. So let’s find ways to normalize having anxiety, talk openly about it, stop blaming ourselves and others for having it, and learn ways to beat anxiety at it’s own game.

Best,

Andrea