
Frequently asked questions.
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Therapy can support people through many different challenges, but my work is especially focused on helping women build self-worth, increase confidence, and reduce anxiety. Many of my clients come to therapy because they’re tired of second-guessing their words, worrying that they’re “too sensitive,” or feeling weighed down by constant self-doubt and criticism.
Another common concern in my work is relationships. When self-worth and anxiety are heavy, it can be difficult to feel connected, understood, or truly satisfied with a partner, children, family, or friends. Self-doubt often makes setting boundaries, or even knowing what boundaries to set, feel overwhelming and exhausting, which can leave you feeling stuck and frustrated.
Therapy can help you strengthen your relationship with yourself, building self-worth and reducing anxiety, so that you can feel more grounded and fulfilled. As your relationship with yourself improves, it naturally supports healthier, more satisfying connections with the people around you.
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Therapy can help with anxiety in several important ways. First, it provides tools to regulate your nervous system, so you have strategies to ease anxiety when it shows up. It also helps you better understand what contributes to your anxiety, whether that’s brain chemistry, anxious thoughts, or fears, so you can reduce the shame and confusion that often keep the cycle going.
In addition, therapy explores past experiences that may be fueling your anxiety, such as stressful events or patterns from childhood. With therapy, you can begin to recognize and change the patterns that unknowingly keep you stuck in anxiety. As you build new ways of thinking and responding, you gain the confidence and self-trust to take risks, grow, and move forward with more ease.
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Therapy helps you understand the roots of low confidence, whether that comes from past experiences, a harsh inner critic, or negative messages you’ve internalized over time. With greater self-awareness, you can begin to challenge and change those old patterns, replacing them with more supportive and authentic ways of seeing yourself.
In therapy, you also learn how to shift your inner dialogue to be more encouraging and compassionate, rather than keeping yourself down. And because therapy provides a safe, supportive space, you can explore what risks you’re ready to take—big or small—that will help you build genuine confidence and trust in yourself.
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Although many people think of couples therapy for relationship support, individual therapy can be incredibly helpful for relationships of all kinds. It gives you space to clarify what’s happening and what you want to communicate, while also helping you develop tools and awareness to bring into your interactions.
Your relationship with yourself is reflected in your relationships with others. If you’re harsh or critical toward yourself, that may unintentionally show up in how you interact with others. If you struggle to advocate for yourself or set boundaries, others may not understand how upset you are by their actions. Individual therapy provides a safe space to explore how you’re showing up and work from the inside out.
Individual therapy helps you build stronger, healthier relationships with everyone in your life—partners, children, family, and friends—by supporting your growth from the inside out.
Over time, as you become more aware of how you show up and practice new ways of communicating and setting boundaries, you can experience deeper connection, clearer communication, and greater satisfaction in your relationships.
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Postpartum anxiety is intense anxiety that can come up after having a child, and it doesn’t always start immediately. Hormonal changes, shifts in relationships at home, and the pressure of juggling new responsibilities can all contribute to heightened worry and stress.
People with postpartum anxiety often experience intrusive thoughts or fears that feel overwhelming or scary, sometimes thoughts they’ve never had before. Therapy can help you understand what’s happening, build tools to manage anxiety, and create a safe space to talk about the fears and worries you might be hesitant to share. With support, you can find ways to feel calmer, more confident, and more connected to yourself and your family.
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There isn’t a single “best” therapy for anxiety. What matters most is finding an approach that fits you and your needs. In my practice, I draw from several evidence-based approaches to help clients manage anxiety in a way that feels personalized and effective.
Relational and humanistic approaches focus on the relationship in therapy, honoring where you are and what you bring to the table, while building self-awareness and growth from that foundation.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a structured therapy that helps the brain process distressing experiences and anxious memories. By working with how your nervous system stores and reacts to stress, EMDR can reduce anxiety, help you feel more regulated, and provide new ways of responding to triggers.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) offers strategies to notice and shift unhelpful thought patterns that fuel anxiety.
Mindfulness tools help you develop present-moment awareness and ease anxious thoughts and physical tension.
Ultimately, the best therapy for anxiety is the one that addresses your unique experiences and helps you build confidence, self-trust, and strategies to manage anxiety both in the moment and long-term. Above all, your relationship with your therapist is one of the most important factors in effective anxiety treatment, providing a safe, supportive space to explore, grow, and practice new ways of managing anxiety.
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, is a well-researched type of therapy that helps people notice the connection between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. By identifying unhelpful thought patterns and practicing new ways of responding, CBT can reduce anxiety, improve mood, and support healthier choices.
In my work, I often draw on CBT tools to help clients build awareness of how their thoughts shape their feelings and influence how they act throughout the day. These tools can also support clients in challenging negative self-talk and managing overwhelming emotions.
While I incorporate components of CBT, I don’t rely on it exclusively. I also integrate humanistic, relational, and mindfulness-based approaches to create a therapy experience that feels supportive, personalized, and focused on lasting growth.
Have more questions?
Click HERE or email amanda@amandabrowncounseling.com, and I’d be happy to answer any other questions for you!