Stress Management Therapy

Like other conditions we see at Stokes Counseling Services, stress is a natural response to many situations that can become overwhelming for some people. If you feel constantly stressed or experience unnecessarily high stress levels, we can help. There are many stress management therapies available to help you manage daily stress and lead a more satisfying life. We are happy to work with patients to develop stress management techniques with sessions in our Naugatuck office, virtually via telehealth software, and in the home for families who are participating in our FAM Program.

Stress, like other physiological responses, is not a negative thing. We all experience a wide range of emotional, mental, and physical responses to our environment on a daily basis, and these reactions exist for a reason. In fact, stress can positively influence our ability to achieve academically, professionally, and interpersonally. Stress should prepare us to take a specific action by stimulating our sense of awareness, mental focus, and motivation. Too much stress can turn these positive stimuli into negative physical, mental, and emotional responses. That’s where stress management therapy comes into play. Stress management may refer to a number of different techniques and therapy methods used to help patients more effectively cope with stress or return to a “positive,” manageable level of stress.

Stress management therapy can be beneficial for anyone who is dealing with a specifically stressful experience, chronic feelings of stress, or difficulty performing daily tasks due to increases in stress levels. When constant or high-level stress occurs, we can overtax our bodies. Some of your body’s warning signals that it’s time to get help with stress management include:

• Severe muscle tension or tension headaches
• Insomnia
• Extreme fatigue
• Weight loss, weight gain, and appetite changes
• Teeth grinding and clenching
• Digestive issues

In addition to these physical warning signs that you need to consider stress management therapy, behavioral and emotional changes can also occur, including:

• Difficulty concentrating and procrastination
• Increased instances of conflict with others
• Reliance on alcohol or drugs
• Greater risk for accidents or mistakes
• Irritability or loss of emotional control
• Forgetfulness and lack of attention to detail
• Inability to make decisions
• Considering fleeing the situation

During stress management therapy, we want to first understand what your specific stressors are. We’ll work together to identify the main sources of your stress. Then, your counselor can provide guidance for skills to help you handle stress, cope with the symptoms of stress, and start reducing your stress level. This may include:

• Developing better organization and prioritization skills
• Avoiding unnecessary stressors
• Coping with physical, behavioral, and emotional symptoms of stress
• Changing thought process related to stress

By far, job and employment issues are the most common factors that lead to increased stress for adults in the U.S. These work-related stressors can impact all aspects of daily life. Many people allow the stress of their jobs to negatively impact their family or personal lives. Others, struggle to maintain steady employment due to difficulty coping with job stress. Like any other form of stress management, job stress and employment issues can be addressed through targeted, conscientious work with a professional counselor. With appropriate therapy, job stress can be diminished, so you can thrive at work and at home.