Have you ever wondered what happens when you finish therapy? Have you wondered about what happens when symptoms arise and you feel yourself slipping? Of course you have!
Many of us who have attended therapy and completed sessions with a therapist worry about what happens when we step out those doors or log off. “What if my symptoms of stress come back? What happens when something in my life changes and my levels of anxiety skyrocket?”
Thankfully, you should know that a good therapist ALWAYS leaves their doors open AND that a good therapist will leave you with a stockpile of maintenance tips and tricks to help you maintain your course towards reaching your mental wellness goals. That’s exactly what I’ll do for you! 🙂
When Anxiety Relapse Strikes
What is relapse in therapy? Relapse means that a prior mental health issue has resurfaced. With treatment, you can achieve your goals to improve your wellbeing, but without maintenance, or ways to keep working on and treating your symptoms, new triggers and stressors in life will likely bring back some of these issues.
When you feel anxious, it’s not uncommon for old thoughts and behaviors to make a comeback. You are essentially doing the same things you used to do before you learned some helpful techniques to manage your anxiety. These anxious feelings can build and build, and without proper maintenance, can throw you back to step one.
When Anxiety Relapse Strikes
What is relapse in therapy? Relapse means that a prior mental health issue has resurfaced. With treatment, you can achieve your goals to improve your wellbeing, but without maintenance, or ways to keep working on and treating your symptoms, new triggers and stressors in life will likely bring back some of these issues.
When you feel anxious, it’s not uncommon for old thoughts and behaviors to make a comeback. You are essentially doing the same things you used to do before you learned some helpful techniques to manage your anxiety. These anxious feelings can build and build, and without proper maintenance, can throw you back to step one.
So How Can Maintenance Help?
Maintenance is the key to success. With maintenance therapy, the goal is to teach you healthy coping strategies during our sessions that you can later use to avoid falling into the same unhealthy patterns you engaged in before treatment. Achieving mental health is an ongoing journey–so sorry, no slacking!
If you want to remain healthy, you must continue practicing some forms of coping skills for the rest of your life so you don’t relapse. For example, if you are overweight and went to the gym, got a personal trainer, consistently worked out, and now you have your ideal body, you would need to continue practicing some version of these lifestyle changes to maintain that new physique. Otherwise, you’d be right back to square one.
If you have seen The Biggest Loser, you might know that at least some of their contestants have gained weight back. They do so because they go back to their routines and unhealthy lifestyles to deal with stress once they are out of that controlled environment. Just like relapsing physically, I’ve had clients who have come back for a couple more sessions because they weren’t following or weren’t consistent with the maintenance plan.
Maintaining Healthy Coping Skills
You will learn many coping strategies during the maintenance phase of therapy. From maintaining a routine that includes healthy nutrition, sleep, and exercise, to socializing with emotionally supportive people and practicing mindfulness exercises, you will discover many techniques that resonate with you. Those skills that work best for you (or that you find easiest to practice) will be the most helpful for you. I will give you the tools you need during our sessions to lead a healthy life and never fear what will happen when you step out those doors.
You’ll always have those coping skills to help you AND I’ll always be here if you feel you need to brush up on those skills.
The Maintenance Program
I have developed a 3-part therapy system that includes learning strategies that will help you conquer anxiety and stress. I’ll introduce you to relaxation techniques to aid you in managing the physical weight of stress and anxiety.
I will also introduce you to a maintenance plan customized just for you based on the skills that best fit your preferences. You will not need to use your skills with the same frequency that you needed them when your stress and anxiety levels were high once you’ve achieved your goals, but you will need to include them in your daily routine.
CBT and Maintenance
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or CBT concentrates on the relationship between how you think, feel, and behave. It all starts with changing your negative thinking patterns that are affecting your emotions and your actions. I use CBT to help you achieve your therapy goals by teaching you how to change your unhealthy self-talk into a more positive one and train you to use practical coping skills.
Therapy Based in Ft. Lauderdale
If you are dealing with stress and anxiety symptoms, therapy might be the answer you need. I can assist you in finding better coping strategies that will help you lead a healthier lifestyle and help you thrive again. As a therapist, I specialize in anxiety and self-esteem. My office is located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Do not hesitate to contact me at Essence of Healing Counseling Services at 954-526-4006. Schedule your first free 20-minute phone consultation or book your first appointment today!
You Know That Nagging, Voice of Self-Doubt in Your Head? Tell It to Shut Up.
With therapy for anxiety, self esteem, or migraines, I can help you build an arsenal of tools you can use to achieve the life you deserve. Believe me. You got this!
Therapy & Coaching at Essence of Healing Counseling Services
Roberta Alves is a Therapist and Development Coach at Essence of Healing Counseling, located in downtown Ft. Lauderdale, FL. She is also a Certified Anxiety Specialist who uses the solution focused and evidence based therapy called cognitive behavioral therapy. Research has shown that cognitive behavioral therapy is proven to be extremely effective in treating anxiety and improving self-esteem. Roberta provides counseling services to her clients who live in Ft. Lauderdale and the surrounding South Florida areas in her office in downtown. If you want to learn proven techniques to overcome stress, improve your self-esteem, and achieve your goals, call (954) 526-4006 to schedule an appointment today.
