Have you been anxious, depressed, or stressed?  Are you lying awake at night, worried and distracted during the day? Are you hoping to find an effective way to feel better and live your life fully?

Are you worried that seeking counseling or psychotherapy means you are "crazy," or that you'll have to spend weeks or months talking about your past?

If you're having relationship problems, are you worried that seeking help means the relationship is doomed? Some studies indicate that the average couple struggles with fighting, loneliness and unhappiness for five years before deciding to consult a therapist. Families also often postpone seeking help with blending families, adjusting to major changes or life phase issues, and parenting strategies.

Therapy can be part of the solution. It doesn't mean you're crazy, and it doesn't mean your relationship is doomed or your family is broken. Surrendering to unhappiness and yielding to despair shouldn't be an option. There are short-term approaches that are supported by research for many of life's challenges. 

For example, there are very exciting new developments in medication-free treatments for depression. Many people are worried about side effects of medication, the risk of overdosing, or feeling as if they are dependent on medication to cope with life's problems.  Research supports a combination of specific types of therapy and lifestyle changes. Best of all, the research indicates that people who choose to handle depression with this type of balanced, healthy approach have far fewer relapses of depression. The recovery process can be quick and result in better health all around - not merely alleviating the feelings of sadness, numbness, hopelessness and painful fatigue common to depression.  If you are interested in this kind of approach to treating depression, please email at info@balancedlifestylecoaching.com, or call 727-559-0863.

There are also therapies that are shown to help with anxiety, sleep problems, and stress.  In fall 2011, my article on mental health strategies for sleep problems was published in the Journal of Mental Health Counseling, and in July 2012 I presented on this topic at the American Mental Health Counselors' Association annual conference.

Relationship and family problems can be addressed succesfully with counseling.  Examples are: adjusting to life with a new baby, blended families, coparenting after separation or divorce, marital problems, premarital counseling, and coping successfully with challenges such as deployments, relocations or empty nests.

Sometimes it isn't a problem so much as adapting to a new stage of life: the segue from college to working adult, from military to civilian life, from career to retirement.  These changes can be unsettling but can also be an opportunity to get back in touch with your strengths and life dreams.

If you are interested in addressing anxiety, depression, sleep problems, stress, relationship problems and life-stage issues, or other concerns, please email at info@balancedlifestyle.com or call 727-559-0863. 

I look forward to hearing from you!